This is the first of a three-part series featuring former Flyer baseball players in the pros. Check back for stories on Craig Stammen and Mike Haushchild.

DAYTON, Ohio – Former University of Dayton left-hander Jerry Blevins is having one of the best years of his career for the New York Mets in 2016, but the story of this season's success really begins in 2015. 

The Arcadia, Ohio native was acquired by the New York Mets to be a reliable middle relief arm and left-hand specialist just days before the 2015 regular season began. The campaign was off to a great start (1-0 record, 0.00 ERA in seven games) and then a freak injury sidelined him for the entire season.

"The injury was frustrating, but taught me a few things," Blevins said. "I had to work on my patience dealing with it, and really trusting the process of coming back. My arm has some plates and screws in it now, so I had to spend time learning how it feels to throw with that."

Having to sit out while the Mets made their run at the 2015 World Series, which they lost to the Kansas City Royals, was particularly frustrating.

"There were key moments late in games that their big lefties, (Eric) Hosmer, (Alex) Gordon, and Mike (Moustakus), were coming up in spots I would normally have been called upon," Blevins remarked. "But instead I had to sit back and watch."

That unfinished business is part of the reason why, when granted free agency after the season, Blevins signed back with New York. It's been a deal that has worked out well for both after four full months of play. Blevins has seen action in 51 games thus far, throwing 28.2 innings with a 2.51 ERA while accumulating a 4-1 record.

"My role has been different this season than years past," Blevins said. "Before, I would be called upon to throw an inning or two in back-to-back days and then have a day I knew I wouldn't pitch. Now I might come in to face one guy, and have to be ready to do that for five straight games. I've had to adjust my workouts and how I prepare off the field so I can be ready to throw when my situation comes up."

What exactly is his situation? Pick out the best left-handed hitter from any team, and Blevins could be called upon by New York Manager Terry Collins to come in and get that batter out late in the game. This season he's been called upon 27 times in one-run games in the seventh inning or later, working on no-days rest 17 of those appearances.

Some of his other numbers are on pace to be right among his career best. His strikeouts per nine inning ratio is at 10 for just the second time in his career, while his hits (6.3) and home runs (0.6) per nine innings are at an all-time low. He's racked up 32 strikeouts compared to just 12 walks, and has the second-most holds (12) on the team.

New York currently sits nine games behind Washington in the National League East and 2.5 games back in the NL Wild Card race. Being in the race is exactly why Blevins is back in New York.

"Our team is great, just a little banged up right now," Blevins said. "We've got unfinished business from last season, and we'll hopefully make our run soon."

Jerry Blevins' story has been well-documented since his time as a Dayton Flyer. He walked on to the Flyers' baseball team in 2002 and worked just 17.1 innings in his first two years as a Flyer. In his junior season the lanky left-handed pitcher earned a spot in the weekend rotation and went 7-3 with a team-best 3.79 ERA. 

All of his hard work paid off with his name being called by the Chicago Cubs in the 17th round of the 2004 amateur draft. After three years in Chicago's system he was traded to Oakland, and the southpaw has been getting Major League batters out ever since.