A USF first: Dan Otero first Bull in a World Series game

In the overall scheme, Indians reliever Dan Otero's late-inning appearance in Game 2 of the World Series was mostly inconsequential.

But one club's cameo is another's milestone.

Otero, who played his senior season (2007) for USF after transferring from Duke, became the first Bulls alumnus to play in a World Series game, according to longtime USF radio play-by-play voice Jim Louk (and baseball-reference.com).

Former Bulls RHP Dave Eiland — a Zephyrhills High alumnus — appeared in the 2015 Series, albeit as Royals pitching coach. Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa — who won three World Series titles — has a degree from USF but never played for the Bulls.

The first player signed by former USF coach Lelo Prado, Otero went 9-7 with a 3.32 ERA in 122 innings (fourth-most in a USF season) as the '07 team's Friday night starter. Described by Prado as a "gamer" and "competitor," he posted five complete games and made two relief appearances.

"I look at him now and he's a great relief pitcher, because he has a great mentality for that," Prado said Thursday. "And he's such a great teammate, he has a shot to stay up there. … They're using him perfectly."

Otero, a 21st-round draft pick of the Giants in '07, is on his third big-league club. In Wednesday night's 5-1 loss to the Cubs, he worked 1 2/3 hitless innings, striking out Cubs wunderkind Kyle Schwarber on a called third strike in the top of the eighth.

"I'm just so happy for him and his family," Prado said. "He wasn't the most talented, didn't throw the hardest, but was a smart kid. He didn't give us any problems in the classroom, and just worked his tail off and competed. I had pitchers who had way better stuff, but they didn't compete as much."