Melody returns to the Bears for his second season in Newark and first full season of professional baseball.  Melody joined the roster midseason after completing his career at NJIT.  The Highlanders share Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium with the Bears.  Melody appeared in six games in 2009, making three starts, with a 11.30 ERA.  He pitched 14.1 innings with 18 ER and 8 strikeouts. 

At NJIT, Melody amassed 182.2 innings pitched with 169 strikeouts.  He posted a career-high 12 strikeouts in 2009, which was a single-game high for NJIT at the Division I level (2009 was NJIT’s third season of Division I competition).

Melody was born in Union, NJ.  His father John Melody was drafted by the Royals in the 8th Round (178th overall) of 1978 amateur entry draft.  Matt currently resides in Union.