Last updated: 7:59 am
July 21, 2008
Posted: 4:16 am
July 20, 2008

BRANDON Knight began 2008 pitching in Bridgewater, N.J., as a member of the Somerset Patriots of the independent Atlantic League.

He will end the season after pitching for Davey Johnson as a member of the U.S. Olympic Team.

Knight, who signed May 29 with the Mets Triple-A affiliate, the New Orleans Zephyrs, and had short stints with the Yankees in 2001-02, was one of 24 players selected to represent the U.S. in Beijing next month.

"It's certainly the biggest thing that's ever happened to me in baseball," Knight said. "I think the biggest thing about it is it's so unexpected. About a month ago I knew it was a possibility, but to actually have it happen, and at this point in my career, is unreal.

"I can't imagine anything in baseball bigger than this, playing the game you love and being able to represent your country."

The 32-year-old right-hander has spent 14 years in pro ball since being drafted in the 14th round in 1995 by the Texas Rangers, including three in Japan. But as well as Knight has pitched this year with New Orleans (4-1, 1.89 ERA in 10 appearances, including four starts), he nearly retired after spending 2006 with the Double-A Reading Phillies.

"I still wanted to play, but I was about one phone call away from hanging it up," Knight said. But he got that phone call, from former Yankees pitcher Brett Jodie, Somerset's pitching coach and a teammate of Knight's in New York in 2001.

It was with Somerset, under the eyes of Jodie and Somerset manager and former Yankees great Sparky Lyle, where Knight made a slight change in his delivery that has led to his recent success.

"My release point was way too high, so I was cutting myself off and keeping my velocity down, and my command wasn't there," Knight said. "After Brett talked to me and asked me to bring (his release point) down, that really made all the difference."

Knight - who throws a low-90s fastball along with a changeup, curveball and slider - impressed Lyle during his time with Somerset.

"When he was here, he was just nasty to face, and he is a hell of a competitor," Lyle said. "I don't mean to brag, but we have some good hitters in this league, and he just made them look silly."

Lyle said he was more than confident his former pitcher could succeed in the big leagues, if given the opportunity.

"He can get big league hitters out. He'll definitely do the job," Lyle said. "I don't get to see a lot of games, except for the ones I catch in my office, but I can tell you right now that, without mentioning any names, I'd say he's as good or better than 30 pitchers I've seen in the big leagues this year."

Knight said he hopes to get another shot in the big leagues, in part to prove he's better than the 24 runs (23 earned) in 192/3 innings he gave up in mop-up duties with the Yankees. But if he doesn't get another shot, he will walk away from baseball with no regrets.

"I've had a good run, and I can continue playing at this level for a long time," he said. "But of course I want to get back. I just hope its in a different situation than it was with (the Yankees), when I was throwing every 10 days.

"When I was drafted, I didn't know what to think about any of this. But I've definitely fulfilled all of the goals I have had, at least, and now it'd be nice to stick around for a while."

tbontemps@nypost.com