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Answer Time
Hello once again. Wow, I’m really stoked with the comments and questions and am happy to answer them as the best I can, without getting myself in trouble!
Jason, you wanted to know if I liked starting or relieving better. To be honest with you mate, in the long run, I really wanna be a starter. To me, it’s the ultimate, to have the game in my control, and try and go the entire nine innings.
My favorite guy to watch is Roy Halladay because he is so locked in and hates getting taken out of games no matter what. That guy is a great role model for me, great stuff or not, nothing else matters to him but winning the game!
Jill asked if I spend my off seasons “down under” in Australia. OK, even though I love Seattle, nothing beats flying into Sydney airport after eight months and a 14-hour flight, driving two hours to my hometown ‘Newy,’ sinking back into my favorite environment and seeing my family and friends.
So yes, I spend the majority of my offseason back home. It’s perfect to work out there, it’s warm, I’m around super positive people and baseball is very quiet down there — which is good and bad. Sometimes I wish baseball was bigger there, but it is nice that it’s not talked about constantly on sport shows etc… for a few months.
JP wondered about my daily routine. Well, it’s nothing too exciting. It starts with being woken up at 7AM by my girlfriend Andra’s alarm as she gets ready for work. Then, I kiss her goodbye and roll back over and sleep until about 10AM. Then, I usually walk down and see my new friends at Emerald City Smoothie for some chocolate peanut butter goodness. Then, I hang out, catch up on stuff I have to get done, and by about 1:30 PM, head to the stadium, have a work out and win a game.
Afterwards, I like to have a beer and chill at the Kangaroo and Kiwi. It’s a great place over by Green Lake. Or, I just relax at home with my girlfriend and make her watch some Aussie TV or movie.
Nathan wondered about the difference in baseball in Australia and the states. Well, the culture is way different. I figured that out during the 2004 Olympics – which was the best three weeks of my life — I had 25 of the best teammates I could possibly have, but to talk about the difference between the two? I would be here all day rambling.
The sad thing is though, because of the lack of exposure, kids in Australia who play baseball, softball and T-ball have a tough time identifying players to really look up to or call role models.
Australia has 80+ pro’s in the US and only a handful of major leaguers, so no one is able to really understand the magnitude of the sport in the US, the size of the market here and how difficult it is to make it to the Majors. The biggest reason for that may be that there is no professional league in Australia. But, once again, we haven’t got all day so I will leave it at that and hopefully touch on it more, later.
OK, well that’s all the time we have for this week! Ha Ha!
But thank you to MP for the meat pie recipe. I’ll give it a crack! And to the great comments from the Web page, Lookout Landing, friends back home, send me stuff from you guys from time to time.
Have a good one!
Ryan
35 Comments
Hey Ryan! Good to get know some stuff about ya outside the diamond. How are you spending this All-Star Break? Are you hanging out with some of your teammates or kinda doing your own thing? Anyway, enjoy it and we’re looking forward to a great second half from you. Cheers.
g’day!
Your recent stint was fun!
I enjoyed this post (as usual). It is nice to hear from a fovorite ballplayer on a more personal level. I especially like hearing about Australia, differences, and such.
Have you ever been to Newcastle, WA? Of course, nothing like “down under” but still one of my fave places.
Random Aussie question of the day…what’s your stance on Vegemite? Like it or loathe it? just wondering…
I have confidence you will become a great starter in the rotation. Hopefully for Seattle!
Have a good all-star break…I hope you actually get a break!
[...] Re: Australian Major Leaguer Ryan Rowland-Smith’s blogs Ryan Rowland-Smith just posted a new blog entry where he answers some fan questions: Answer Time | Prolebrity [...]
Hey Ryan,
Good to see you have a blog. I’m an Aussie who landed in Seattle in December, and will be here for quite a while. It is true that people back home would not be able to fathom the magnitude of baseball here. i am staggered. I have gone and watched you pitch a few times - the first time against the Padres. I also grabbed a few Aussies and made them come to a pub (not the K&K) and watch your first start. Good first three innings - then I had to have a few extra brews from the 4th on. The good thing about you in Seattle is it gives me a conection with the team - watch the Aussie pitch. Not sure if my wife is amused about me hogging the TV and watching 60 odd games so far this year
take care mate and will be following your progress.
Hey Ryan,
You going to play for Australia in the World Baseball Classic next year? What players do you think will make the Australian roster that we should know about?
By the way, I’m hoping the M’s turn you into a starter for good. Why did they have both you and Morrow start in the winter league and then put you both back in the bullpen? What did the team tell you about that move?
Hey Ryan - great to see your blog. Being an Aussie, I am sure u used to play cricket as a kid, no?
Don’t you miss cricket? Do you have a chance to follow the Australian cricket team? Recently they toured the Carribean.
Shane Warne,Adam Gilchrist & Steve Waugh are my favorite Australian cricketers.
Coming from such a successful sporting nation like Australia and having to play for the Mariners is tough indeed. Hope you guys start winning more games and bring back the great days to Seattle.
-Sriram
Looks like I have been beaten to the punch re: cricket! As an Englishman I obviously have an interest in cricket especially the Ashes. Indeed, cricket is part of the reason that I became so interested in baseball. Have you ever met any of the great cricketers e.g. Warney, and if so have you had chance to discuss things such as grips and mechanics? And which sport do you think is more challenging [taking into account of course that any professional sport is difficult].
Also please please become our full time 5th starter Hyphen!
Hey Ryan - I’ve always wondered what the dynamics of the clubhouse are like for a MLB team. Do the bullpen guys hang around with bullpen guys for the most part or does everyone just hang with everyone. Good luck on the 2nd half.
Whoa cool you actually recognized LL.
Ryan:
Believe me … I think I speak for most everyone when I say that the Mariners organization is STUPID if they don’t give you a shot at starting either this year or next year!!!
Keep up the good work!
Hi Ryan, Just a note to tell you that I enjoy watching you pitch. I hope that they will make you a starter in the near future. I have been watching you since spring training and was impressed by your work. You give us fans hope that this year and in the future, we will become a compeditive team again.
Also, If you remember spring training this year, I was the one getting the official home plate autographed by the 40 man roster. Just a tidbit of info.
Have a Great Baseball Season 2nd half !!!!!!!!!!1
Hey Ryan, I really appreciated it last year when you signed my baseball in Tacoma. I do have a question though, I heard you listen to Angels & Airwaves, have you ever seen them live? They’re my favorite band and they are amazing. Thanks, heres to you starting soon!
Hey Ryan, just wanted to say that you’re one of my favorite players and I really hope they’ll let you transition into a starter.
Also I think it’s awesome that you’re aware of Lookout Landing, it’s a great community and they love you over there….
Hi Ryan.
I am a devoted Ms fan from across the Pacific all the way in Hong Kong. I try my best to watch every Ms game on MLB.TV, but unfortunately, with the time difference, I am usually at work when the games start.
I was delighted when the Ms finally decided to give you an opportunity to start. Marvelled at the first 3 innings you pitched, and then had to swallow some tears watching the 4th. Nonetheless, it was a pretty good outing. Sure hope you’ll get more chances in the future, and not just a spot start here and there.
There is hardly any baseball here in Hong Kong, where over 95% of the population have not heard of the name Derek Jeter. The closest thing we have here is a fastpitch league which I actively participate in. The next best thing would be cricket, which I’ve also spent the last 15 years playing with a lot of passion. None of my friends in Hong Kong watch or talk about baseball, and so blogs and forums like this are great for me.
Will continue coming here regularly to find out more about one of my favourite Ms.
If you ever decide to stop by Hong Kong, do give me a shout
Oh, by the way, I also wanted to ask: Which Ms players do you hang out with the most outside the ballpark and consider as your closest friends?
Let me start by saying that you are amazing! I have a mildly strange question. If I was to send you (well, c/o the Mariners) a pair of safety glasses, would you sign them? It would make my year!
Oh, I also had a shirt made that says:
Top 3 things to come from Australia
3. Meat Pies
2. Tim Tams
1. Ryan Rowland-Smith
Ryan, my sister and I have gone to spring trainging the last two years. I am the middle aged women who likes to have my picture taken wih each one of you and then my way the players will remember me is after they sign their picture I have always kissed their hand in thanks as to me your mariners fan you are the Brad Pitts to us. We love you and you voice and you are doing so well keep it up and stay with the mariners as we are very loyal to our players. See you next year at spring traing in peoria and it is sad the season isn’t longer as we love to watch the games and yes I am a season ticket holdr. Don’t miss a game. Hope next year you do become a starter as you haven’t done to badly this year in filling in.
So, you’re dating an American?
I’m s excited,
Ryan,
So you’re dating an American, huh?
I’m going to be in Seattle later this week. I live in Texas. We’ll be at a game on the 19th. I hope you pitch that day.
Ryano mate another Aussie Baseballer from Sydney and a Mariners Fan since i saw the great Ken Griffey Jnr play there. Whats happening with the boys this year, any inside info into trades etc for next year? keep flying the flag for Aussie Ball players over there boss
cheers
Hey Ryan,
This is my first time reading your blog…I think it’s great. I was reading your profile and notice your favorite athletes growing up were surfers/boxers. Did you have a favorite baseball player/team?
I was also wondering if the younger Mariners, like yourself, have guys like Edgar/Bone/Dan the Man on speed-dial? Do you guys get access to some sort of “Mariner Phone-Book” so you can keep in touch with guys from back in the day?
One last question: You say Halladay is great for you to watch. I’ve heard that R.A. Dickey calls Tim Wakefield for advice with his knuckleball. Do you have a certain mentor/role model that you call first and foremost for advice?
Jenny - the T-Shirt should be
Top 3 things to come from Australia
3. Tim Tams
2. Vegemite
1. Jennifer Hawkins
Who is also from Newcastle but - and no offence to Ryan - much better looking.
Ryan,
I just wanted to tell you how much it meant to me that you gave my nephew a baseball when you were playing the White Sox in Chicago. You gained a family of fans for life! Best of luck to you for the rest of the season and your career.
Hey Ryan,
First let me just say that my husband, who is not a real baseball fan (I know, FREAK) thinks you are a really good pitcher and keep up the good work.
Now, I am quite intrigued by how you got to the majors. Did someone send you to try out? Or did you just say - hey, I think I’ll try out for a team. And if you weren’t playing baseball, what would you be doing?
Enjoy your break, keep up the good work in the second half. Looking forward to being at the ballpark on my b’day 7/22.
Good reading!
Ryan, I wish you continued success. It’s always fun to watch you pitch. You’re easily one of my favorite Mariners, and some of us in my sports community have nicknamed you “Hyphen.”
Hope you like it!
Ryan,
Just read that you were sent down, to “stretch your pitch count out”. Don’t look at it as a negative, I see you becoming a mainstay of this rotation, my guess within the next two weeks. Keep your chin up!
RR-S,
It is what it is. Feel confident that those of us who follow the team know that our Front Office is one of the worst in all of baseball and has been for long enough. We want to see you on the mound every fifth day. Hope you don’t lose faith in management, as most of us have, and work hard to get back up I-5. Your best is yet to come.
Too bad they’ve sent you down, frankly I thought you were pretty close to being a starter already but with this rotation we have it shouldnt be more than a couple weeks before you’re back. The best to you.
I for one welcome our new Australian Overlord! I’m so glad that they want to finally develop you into a starter. What an awesome thing. I will miss seeing you in relief, but obviously a starter is so much better. This will be yet another reason to try and squish some more Rainiers games into my schedule, too! Congratulations!
Hey Mate - the Aussie from the 4th post here. Went to the gamne today and heard you are in Tacoma. Good news I think as you will be a starter for the Mariners soon. Nice pitching yesterday. Took the (Aussie) wife and child today - Carlos Silva and the first base umpire both gave my son a ball - so he is stoked (as stoked as you can be for a 2 yr old - wants to sleep with the ball Silva gave him). He got an Ichoro card first time he went from a lovely lady in the card stand - and carries that around with him and can Ichiro now - so when we do go back in 10 yrs you have a baseball fan in Australia
- Been meaning to go to a Tacoma game so probably will now. Keep it up mate.
Hey Ryan, I hope the fact that you got sent to Tacoma means that you will be starting for the M’s later this season. I would love to see you in the rotation the rest of the year and have a legit shot at the rotation next year.
On another note, I was lucky enought to play for a baseball team that played a month in Australia one summer and we found that the most competitive teams and most baseball interest was around Melbourne. This was about 15 years ago, and we only played a select group of team, so this might have been more perception then reality. I was just wondering if this was really/still the case, or if it has become more popular in other areas.
The Phoenix rises from the ashes!
Woo hoo on the pathway to starting. I know the trip to Tacoma will end up working out well for you. The Mariners can certainly use you in the rotation and it’ll be fun to be able to watch you use the guile you need for starting. In the meantime, though, we’ll miss watching you in relief. I love the focus you have.
hey RYAAAN, think last i saw you was new years eve on the foreshore watching the fireworks! its jesse legaspi from your old highschool (newy high) noticed your MACKING it over there in the major league! good stuff! i remember when you showed me a college business card in year 10 saying hopefully from this college they’ll set you up for a future in the majors, well looks like you were true to your word! i have a friend who plays in the major league soccer for houston dynamo (james jorgeoff)i keep asking him to go studds up on becks when they play his LA galaxy team even though hes a hero of mine from manchester united it would be a claim to fame that you took becks out. i’m prolly heading there in december hes hooking me up at his pad if your season is still running i might jet over to seattle and check out a game. keep in touch bro thats my facebook link in that URL. cheers
Outstanding job against the A’s! I think you are on the fast track to becoming at least a solid 3-4 guy in the Mariners rotation, if not better. Your variety of pitches is good, and you have gotten stretched out into the starting role very nicely. Congratulations! It is good for you and for the team.
This season hasn’t been much in the way of successes for the M’s, but your story is a bright spot. Add it to the improvement of young players like Matt Clement, Brian Lahair, Wladimir Balentien and Jose Lopez, and things look brighter for the future. I hope Brandon Morrow has success in adjusting to a starting role too, because with the two of you in the rotation with Felix Hernandez and possibly Bedard and eventually Philippe Aumont, or even Stephen Strasburg, the rotation could be set for years to come.