Associated Press photo/Jeff Roberson St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (left) congratulates reliever Kyle McClellan after McClellan struck out the Colorado Rockies' Brad Hawpe to end the top of the sixth inning on Opening Day 2008 in St. Louis. McClellan made his major league debut in the inning. [Click to enlarge]

McClellan, a rookie reliever with the St. Louis Cardinals, married Kennett native Bridget Johnson back in November, then made his major league debut earlier this month against the Colorado Rockies at Busch Stadium.

McClellan has made the most of his opportunity to pitch in the majors, allowing just 10 hits and two walks in 11 2/3 innings of work as a middle reliever, going 0-1 with an earned-run average of 2.31 in the early going this season.

"It's everything that you think it is," McClellan said of pitching in the majors. "You hear all the hype about it and then you find out it's everything you think it is."

McClellan was a standout pitcher at Hazelwood West High School in suburban St. Louis and signed to play college baseball with the University of Missouri, but was drafted by the hometown Cardinals in the 25th round of the 2002 draft and signed with the team in July of that year.

McClellan was pitching for Quad Cities, the Cardinals' Class A affiliate, in July 2005 when he injured his elbow, forcing him to have Tommy John surgery.

After he returned from the surgery the next season, he made just three starts at Johnson City in the Appalachian League before an ulnar nerve ended his season again.

However, McClellan bounced back quick, getting off to a hot start at Class A Palm Beach in May 2007 before jumping to Class AA Springfield in July. Between the two squads, McClellan was 6-1 with an ERA of 1.81 and 54 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings.

But while McClellan was climbing the ladder to the big leagues, he was meeting the love of his life.

McClellan -- who first got to know his future wife through Kennett native Dustin Pritchett -- met her for the first time at Steinberg Park in St. Louis at an outdoor skating park in January 2004. The couple got engaged last year and married at the Provincial House Chapel in St. Louis Nov. 3, 2007.

After playing in the Arizona Fall League after last season, McClellan skipped Class AAA and made the jump straight to the majors this season.

"I had been to a few Opening Days as a fan (living in St. Louis), but to take part in it as a player was exciting," McClellan said.

He made his debut on Opening Day against the defending National League champion Rockies, tossing an inning of hitless relief for the Cardinals.

"After my first inning on Opening Day I struck out Brad Hawpe and I walked off the field, and (catcher) Yadi (Molina) handed me the ball from my first strikeout," said McClellan. "I think that's something I'll always remember."

McClellan has been a major asset to the Cards' bullpen this spring, allowing just three runs in 10 appearances. Batters are hitting just .227 off of him.

"When I'm in the game, the focus is on the catcher and the hitter ..." McClellan said. "My focus is on home plate and I can tune out the crowd."