Buchanan's college coach on hand for debut

PHILADELPHIA -- Georgia State University baseball coach Greg Frady was in attendance on Saturday afternoon to see his former ace, David Buchanan, make his Major League debut for the Phillies.

Buchanan, who picked up the victory with five solid innings in the Phils' 5-3 win over the Dodgers, is the first Georgia State player to make the Majors.

"We're really a young program, a program with very little history in the way of today's baseball game," Frady said. "So when you put something together like a player like David Buchanan going to the big leagues, it is a monumental time in Georgia State baseball history."

Frady, who coached Buchanan throughout his four years at Georgia State, attributes Buchanan's ascension to the Majors to the right-hander's competitive drive.

"Alex Rodriguez was making a Minor League rehab start while David was with [Triple-A] Lehigh Valley, and it looked like at one point that David may be able to face him," Frady said. "To give you some insight on David's level of competitiveness, I said, 'It sure would be great if you could face Alex Rodriguez.' And he said, 'It would be great if I could face Alex Rodriguez in Yankee Stadium.'

"So, I don't think he was ever training to be a Minor Leaguer, he's been training to be a Major Leaguer. He's waited for this opportunity his entire life and I'm sure that while there will be nerves, he wants to show the world what he can do."