Oct. 28, 2008

ARLINGTON, Texas - Dillon Gee pitched three seasons for the UT Arlington baseball program before signing a professional contract with the New York Mets following his junior season. Gee, a 21st round selection (663rd overall pick) in the 2007 draft, recently completed his first full minor league season where he was named to the mid-season Florida State League All-Star team, and finished the summer with a promotion to the Mets' Double-A organization, Binghamton Mets.

Gee, a 6-foot-1 right-handed pitcher from Cleburne, Texas, ranked in six top-10 statistical categories while in Single-A with the St. Lucie Mets before making four appearances with a 2-0 record, 1.33 ERA and 20 strikeouts (five walks) in 27 innings with Binghamton.

The UT Arlington office of sports information caught up with the former Maverick standout for a conversation asking him about his success in professional baseball, his favorite memories while wearing a Mavericks jersey and what he learned at UT Arlington that helped prepare him for his career in baseball.

UTA: What has been your biggest adjustment going from college to professional baseball?

Dillon Gee: The biggest adjustment has been the kind of talent that I am facing now. I just try to stay a little more consistent the higher I move up in the organization.

UTA: This past season you were named to the Florida State All-Star team. What was the feeling when you were selected and how was your experience at the All-Star game?

DG: That is what you dream about, to be involved with that kind of talent and to be able to play on that kind of stage. This past season went really well for me and I continued to do well. Things just kind of fell into place for me this year.

UTA: What has been the best advice that you have been given by a player or coach while in professional baseball?

UTA: There are currently eight former UTA baseball players that wore a major league uniform this past season. What is it like being a part of such a successful alumni group from UTA where there have been so many success stories in the game of baseball?

DG: It is great. It is great to be associated with that and to have that name on my back - that I went to UTA. A lot of good players come out of UTA. I want to be a part of that group. Hopefully I can put on a big league uniform someday. I like coming back and seeing the coaches each time I come home. It is like a family.

UTA: How did the UT Arlington baseball program help develop you not just for the time you were playing here, but also for your career in professional baseball?

DG: While I was in college it was a lot about getting experience. I came in as a freshman and I had a lot of experience to gain, and Coach (Jay) Sirianni really helped me through that and taught me some new things along the way. It really gave me the experience I needed to move up to the next level.

UTA: What is your favorite memory from your time with the UT Arlington baseball program?

DG: It was when we won the Southland Conference championship when I was a sophomore in 2006. We went to a regional at Texas, and we played some good games down there. It was a good year.

UTA: It seems like each year you are at the top of your team or league in innings pitched. How do you credit your ability to throw so many innings and to stay in shape so you are always able to pitch in your spot in the rotation?

DG: In the off-season I work really hard with conditioning and making sure my body is ready for the season. I also work on my mechanics - non-stop. It takes a lot of stress off your arm when you have good mechanics. So I would have to say my conditioning and my mechanics.

THE Dillon Gee FILE:
- Currently in Puerto Rico preparing for professional winter baseball league (Nov. 7-Jan. 7).
- Finished 2008 with a 10-6 record, 2.92 ERA, 154.1 innings, 114 strikeouts and 24 walks while pitching for St. Lucie (A) and Binghamton (AA) in the N.Y. Mets organization.
- June 14, 2008 - named a Florida State League Mid-season All-Star.
- Began professional career with the Brooklyn Cyclones (Low-A) in 2007, with a 3-1 record, 2.47 ERA, 56 strikeouts and nine walks in 62 innings pitched.
- Pitched 298.1 innings in three seasons with UT Arlington - ranks second all time.
- Recorded 198 career strikeouts with the Mavericks - ranking fifth all time.
- His 58 appearances from 2005-2007 rank tied for eighth on the UTA all-time list.