Prolebrity: Beyond the Game

I have season tix to this game, and we are so excited for you! My friend Jessica and I will be screaming like ….well, girls. Go get the Rays, Ryan!

Have you met Brandon Morrows girlfriend, I heard she was weird

I can’t wait to see you pitch tonight. My family and I will will rooting you on from the Lone Star state. Hope to see you here pitch in early September.

I’ll be there tonight cheering you on. Welcome back to Seattle, Ryan!

What do you think of Oz not being in the Olympics for baseball? My hero is “the Thorpedo” and unfortunately he’s retired. He’s amazing. My friend told me he’s like an icon in Oz, is that true?

Ryan,

Great to see you back in Seattle, I can’t wait until you start pitching tonight. I actually get to go to a game this year, since I live in Ohio, when you play the Indians. I would love to get to see you pitch in person.

Welcome back,
Joey

Congrats, Ryan, on the callup!

Well, hmmm, me go to a baseball game without my cameras? Never! You’ll have to send me your e-mail addy and I’ll send you some more pix. I created a desktop wallpaper out of one of the photos — hope you like that…

Power to the Lefties!!!

Awesome to see you back in the bigs. When I heard you got sent down, I didn’t think it would last for more than a couple weeks. I think our rotation will be much better off with you a starter.
Good luck tonight!

Hey Mate, I’m glad that you were called up to start tonight. I knew it wouldn’t be too long before they called you back. I really like the look of the Mariners now. With the mixture of veterans and the young players, things were going to get excited. It makes watching the game alot more fun. I am really happy for you and many more starts in your baseball career.
Take care

Glad to have you back up in Seattle. I’m sure you’ll be here to stay. Go out and get em, lets see you dominate tonight against Tampa. Also just wondering what you thought of Carlos Silva’s comments after last nights game?

I knew you wouldn’t be in Tacoma long. I’m stoked that you’re back in Seattle and on TV tonight so I can watch. Best of luck and congratulations.

I’m glad you liked my comments, Ryan. I hope they help motivate you to be the best you can be.

In the mean time, we will all be rooting for you, so do your best and the positive results will come.

Congratulations. This is good for both of us, as I want the Mariners to find a starting pitcher for the next decade, tonight. No pressure, just do your thing. I predict you will be in the big leagues for a long time. Enjoy the journey.

Hey good luck tonight as I am about to get the game on.

Awesome job tonight!

And I know it’s stating the obvious, but Lopez should have had that groundball up the middle - um, and the groundball off Jimenez… by all rights you should have finished the 6th… TV announcers were saying “well, RRS doesn’t look too happy with himself…” - I think we know who you were not too happy with.

Nice start Ryan!

Sorry to see it get blown. You looked like you were cruising the whole time, I wish they would have let you finish up the 6th. Glad to see you back in the M’s uniform, hopefully your next start will turn out for the better. Cheers.

Random Mariner fan here,

That was an impressive outing you had today. With a bit better luck you’d have made it through the 6th. Good luck with the rest of the season.

Hey Ryan,
It was awesome to watch you pitch tonight. I’m so glad the m’s finally saw the light with you and decided to put you in the rotation. Your curveball is filthy

If a bunch of your fans sponsored a banquet in your honor, would we call it an RRS feed?

Seriously, great work today, even though you had some unfortunate luck during and after you came out in the 6th. You’ve got a lot of fans here in Seattle already. What do you want your fan club to be called?

You pitched a great game, Ryan. Absolutely. Can’t wait to see you again in 5 more games.

I think this is 2 out of 3 of your starts that ended up being crazy games!! You were awesome, can’t wait for five more games to see what’s next! This is why baseball is so great!!!

Came out to support you tonight, Ryan. We can only imagine what a start that woulda been if luck had been on your side. But a great start nonetheless. Glad to have you back, Hyphen.

Brilliant job, sorry you didn’t get the win. So happy to have you back where you belong though, and it was a great game, despite the Ms loss. Here’s to many more starts, we’ll be there.

Tough break on the outcome, but you pitched great, Hyphen. Tell us honestly, now, are you going to drop a deuce in Jimenez’s or Lopez’s glove first?

Great job today. I wish he had left you in to try to get out of the jam but you’ll get the Twins next time out. Show them they should’ve kept you (but thankfully they didn’t!).

BTW, still proud to own your jersey.

That was a fantastic start Ryan, it’s really a shame that you didn’t get the win you deserved for it. When you struck out Pena in the 5th I just about lost it, that was an amazing moment.

Hey Ryan, great start. It’s a shame that the final line doesn’t justify how well you pitched.

Question for you, starting out the fifth against Navarro you missed with three pitches just off the plate. Were you aiming there hoping to get the call or a swing? If not, what did you do to adjust your control to get it back into the zone?

Ryan, I can honestly say you’re now currently my favorite player on the Mariners. After being a huge Ichiro fan since 2001, you’ve seem to have overtaken his throne. (:

You had a great start last night and it was a shame you didn’t record the win. I’m super excited to watch your next start!

On a sidenote — how much interest do you have in the NFL, since the season is starting soon. Favorite team?

It’s great to have you back in the bigs, Ryan. Watch the entire outing of yours all the way from here in Hong Kong, and I must say you pitched an outstanding game. The numbers don’t quite show it, but I’m sure all of us fans who watched the game are fully aware of how well you pitched.

It was good to see the offense jumping out early to give you some support (Ichiro’s dinger was awesome!!), but the defense could probably have helped you a little more to get you out of trouble.

The highlight for me was when you struck out Pena with a 3-2 curveball to end the 5th. That was nasty!!

Good luck with your next start (probably against Minnesota?). You deserve a permanent spot in the rotation. Would love to see both you and Morrow both in the rotation in 2009.

Take care, mate.

Hey Hyphen -

Congrats on a solid first start. You pitched a heck of a lot better than the final box score indicates, as everyone who watched the game understands. Incidentally, if you’re interested in reading an informative breakdown of your performance last night, both its pros and cons, check out the writeup Jeff Sullivan gave you on Lookout Landing:

http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2008/8/10/590700/45-72

We’re all rooting for you, Ryan. Looking forward to your next go-round in the rotation.

P.S. The pitch sequence you threw to Carlos Pena to K him ending the 5th inning was a thing of beauty. The variation of pitches, the location, the brutal breaking pitches…artwork.

Hey Ryan,
Thanks for answering my question. I could tell you have a good group of guys in there. As JDB has already pointed out, i’d recommend going to Lookout Landing. I missed the game, but reading Jeff’s write up of your performance was far better telling than looking at the box score. I can’t wait until next year when you and Morrow kick ass in the rotation (and Felix).

Hey, Ryan:

I was cheering you all the way! Great to have you back where you belong. I thought it was a solid outing. The end of the 5th was awesome! I’m on my to get my new jersey!

You are always fun to watch–great pitching, too bad about not getting a win. That doesn’t take away anything from your effort. You’re the real deal, looking forward to watching you every 5th day.

your own that spot in the rotation! yeeeooow great job back at Safeco champ.

I was waiting for the game last night to go 15 innings like the last one you started. Your luck has to turn around soon.

I hope you have a good road trip!

good luck in the Mariners rotation! I really hope you and Brandon Morrow will have lots of success in the rotation along with Felix and lead the Mariners to the playoffs soon

Very cool of you to talk with us fans….very good game yesterday, sorry the bullpen blew it for you.

I know you guys are struggling this year, but not to worry you will get them next year.

All these comments are awesome! All positive and all really supportive for you. You are a great guy and destined to be a great starter.Hooked on it all!

By the way. Go Hope Solo. Love the story. She is gold!

Hey Ryan - looking forward to seeing you full-time in the M’s rotation now! I think you’ll do great.

One question for you on the off-season - after the season ends, and before spring training - how often do you throw? Is is feasible to take a few weeks off and not throw at all, or is it better throw year around too keep the arm in shape?

Hey! I went out to Tacoma to see you a couple days before you were called back up. I always go a couple hours early to try and catch some batting practice home runs (im not an old weirdo, me and my younger brothers do it together). It was a day game, and we didn’t see batting practice. That was O.K. though because we saw that you were one of the first players on the field, working out. I wanted to let you know how much my family and I admire your hard work! Also, we saw you being interviewed, and an employee came up to the fence where we were standing and said “hey guys, thats brandon morrow” and I said “NUH-UH MAN! THATS RYAN ROWLAND-SMITH!” Thanks so much for your hard work and excellent pitching! I am so happy that your in the Mariners’ rotation now!

By the way, I also wanted to tell you that that game against the Angels earlier in the season, when you came in and struck out Garrett Anderson with the bases loaded on a 3-2 breaking ball is my favorite baseball moment I’ve seen in my young life. My family DVR’ed it just to be reminded of the AWESOMENESS!

Awesome game!!! You are amazing!! We all watched the game and Lisa even came.
Unfortunelty it doesn’t look like we will be following thru on our deal, I suspect that you were a bit preoccupied..
We loved watching you and look foward to your future!!!!
G’mate

The Girls up north…

I dropped the ball on the Cooper’s - but hey, good thing, eh?

Now you’re not in T-town anymore, I can’t give you the Toohey’s. I’ll have to leave ‘em at the K&K.
Fun chatting to you after the Sunday game, and it was good to see your last Rainiers start a week ago. Tough luck in the Rays game, but it’s great that you’re getting this opportunity.

G’day Mate!!
And what a “g’day” it was to see you back in Seattle. The commute to Seattle is much easier than the hour commute to Tacoma
I asked Morrow about you guys olaying in Tac last Thursday and he said I’d be seeing you in Seattle soon
Good job in your debut as part of the rotation! You did well! Was happy to read that you’ll be pitching Saturday…you are getting what you deserve! Have a good road trip; rough up the “best team in the league”!
I was at the game on Sunday and noticed three alternate jerseys hanging in the bullpen somewhat “ceremoniously”-Rhodes, Morrow, and yours. Any idea what that was about? Speaking of which, am looking into getting your #18-your last name JUST makes the limit of how many letters/symbols you can have if you get a custom one at thirteen! I casually looked for a #18 shirt today…not yet!
Off topic question…are you watching the Olympics at all? Kinda sad this is the last year baseball/softball is in the Olympics til further notice… Loved when they were in Sydney…I’m sure that was amazing for ya… I always follow the Aussie teams/competitors and of course the U.S. Australia’s not doing too shabby so far! Aussie aussie aussie! Oi oi oi!!
Time to stop rambling and taking up space…
See you at the SAFE!!!!!

Hey Ryan. It’s nice to see that the transition from long relief to starting has been such a easy transition for you. You’re making it seem WAY easier than it probably is in all reality. Well see you at Safeco and go M’s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back to the bigs - again - as a starter. Good on ya, Ryan. There’s a lot of us in Mariners nation pulling for your tonight.

I visited Oz (my second time) in July & talked up the news w/ friends that you were pitching in the MLB. Aussie sports culture. Sure baseball won’t be overtaking cricket, but thanks for blazing a trail and working your ass off for the Ms.

ryan! so excited to see you as a starter! we love to watch you pitch - the mariners are lucky to have you. keep those strikeouts coming! go m’s!

Let us know what you think of pitching in the Hump Dome; how does it compare to Tampa, from a pitcher’s perspective? And how do you like pitching indoors in general?

Thanks for making this connection with us.

Hi Ryan,
Having lived in Australia for a few years, and having some of my best friends there, I’m very partial to any local Aussie athletes. Congratulations on your trip back to the bigs! I look forward to following your career and sharing it with my friends in AUS.

I can’t find any XXXXs here, but here’s to you.

Onya!

Kay

Hey Ryan, enjoyed witnessing your last start from just beyond the Mariner dugout - except for the unfortunate ending…I was really pulling for you to get a quality start and thought you did more than enough to deserve one.

I, like K. Smith above, also noticed the 3 jerseys hanging in the bullpen on Friday and assumed they were a tribute to “the departed” bullpen members. I was surprised that your jersey was still there the next night when you were back in town, but then I thought about it and it still made sense - you are no longer part of the bullpen crew, so you can still be considered one of “the departed”. Congratulations, Ryan!

Hey Ryan. As much fun as we had seeing you at the start in Tacoma (you did awesome!), you belong up in Seattle. I am not sure who Sam was more excited to see, you or Rhubarb ;o) At any rate your start in Seattle was solid and a couple more plays behind you and you get through the inning. It was dissapointing that the bullpen couldn’t pick you up but that happens. Sam, Tammi and I will be watiching tomorrows start for our 11th anniversary. Take care.

I’ve been a Seattle fan since the 1950s (Dad worked for Sick’s brewery [Rainier] whch at the time owned the Seattle Rainiers). I’m a hopeless fan and am so excited you are on the team and really respect the way you prepare and play the game. Keep up the good work on the field and on this forum.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2008114961_mari15.html

check this out fans article about this blog in the Seattle Times

g’day mate, we went to the game on Sat to see “the Aussie pitch”. It was fantastic. It was our first baseball game (even though we have been in the US for 2 years now) both me and our 5 year old daughter truly enjoyed the experience. And I don’t think that we were the only Aussies at the game. We did a few Aussie aussie aussie! Oi oi oi!! with the other fellow expats.

Wish you all the success. Take Care AC

Hi Ryan: I am a 76 year old mother of five chilren (two of them, sons), who has been a baseball fan since age 8 when my father and uncle took me for many years to the Seattle Ranier’s games at the old Sick’s Seattle Stadium down on Ranier Avenue. I am a diehard Mariner’s fan and really support you. I love it when Dave states on the radio or TV that your Mom is watching the game down in Australia. I can just imagine how she is feeling watching you and realizing how far you have come and what potential you have ahead of you. I have never written to a blog of someone I really don’t know so this is a first. Although, I feel I kind of know you because our Mariner’s announcers are so good about telling us about the players and how they feel and what they are doing. Sorry to go on so long, but I am glad to have this opportunity to cheer you on in person (sort of) and can hardly wait to see you pitch on Saturday. Keep up the good work and don’t panic if things don’t go too well, sometimes. Just look around you at some of the other pitchers and realize that sometimes life “sucks.” Overall, however, you guys are the best in my estimation. Thanks for the opportunity to share with you. Bev in Mount Vernon, WA

Oops! I just realized I misspelled “Rainier’s. Sorry about that - my Mother-In-Law was named “Ranier” (after the mountain) by her Kansas parents and they misspelled it. So I tend to also. Bev

Hi Ryan,
I saw the article in the Seattle times about your blog and came to check it out. Very cool entry.

You’re probably heard this before but your nick name should be “Dash”. It has the dual effect of being short for “Dashing” while making it sound like you’re a threat to steal. OK, you’re a pitcher but for those interleague games? and if Washburn can run the bases… Doesn’t it have a better ring than “Hyphen” which sounds like a term out of an anatomy book?

I heard your interview on the radio and glad to hear you’re into protecting the envirnment.
It was cool to see you get some big strike outs earlier this season (before we kinda tanked).

Glad you’re back in Seattle! I gave my company’s tickets (section 131 row 33) to a customer of my company who happened to be visiting from Australia. He got to see you and the the Aussie Ray in the same game. He went with 2 Japanese guys who were rooting for Ichiro and Iwamura. What a treat for them… although I would’ve like to go…

Geo

Good luck mate!

G’Day Ryan,
Good to have you back in the bigs, mate! I’m also an Aussie living in Seattle - moved here with the family 10 years ago now, but go back ever couple of years to visit all the reli’s. I went to King’s in Parramatta. Where did you go?

All the best,
Nate.

Ryan-
Hi! Been a long time coming! Congrats on being up with seattle. I remember you when you were a timber rattler in 2003. Actually, I rember meeting your Dad a time or two also.
Go get ‘em!
Wisconsinfan
(Patty, camera chick)

Hi my name is Nathan Clemons. I am 14 years old and I love the way you go about your buisness on the mound. You are a very talented person and when I got to see you in real life (vs. Kansas City) I was very happy and excited. For some reason pitchers like you are not talked about on the sports shows, which really bothers me. You are extremely talented and I get to see you pitch on MLB.TV. Me and my brother play wiffle ball and i pretend that i set you up to close out a game, but the way you’ve been pitching as a fill-in starter, I think you have definatly earned a spot in the Mariners starting rotation! I wish you the best and keep up the great work on the mound. You are my favourite player and I think it’s about time those sports shows start talkin about you. Honestly in my eyes you have the talent to become a Cy Young award winner. Thanks for all you’ve done!!

Best Wishes,
Nathan Clemons

Ryan mate,

In sept o7 both my wife and i saw you pitch at Safco in the Cleveland game, I did shout out “Hey Aussie” as you were going to the dugout after the game. Were there to watch the three games this time the two with Texas and the one with the Indians. I’m the Mariners fan, she is a rookies fan. Congrats on your callup, maybe this time we’ll see more of your pitching when we are over there again. (Sept 09)

Mick & Cindy

Somewhere, probably on the radio, I heard that your Mom watches your games on the computer. Since then, whenever you are pitching, I check to see what time it is in Sydney — to make sure it’s DAY so your Mom doesn’t have to be up in the middle of the night!
That is so cool that she can watch you.

Hey Ryan:

Good luck today! I’ll be chearing for you! Hope your Mom enjoys the game.

Give the Twins hell today, Ryan!

Hey,
Good game today, you did great! Looking forward to your next start.
=)

Also, I was wondering, do any of the other Mariners have a blog?

Rough game. We still love you in a completely nonsexual way.

…

Rawr.

Roz!

Good to see you got the call up dude. Personally thought you were unlucky to be sent down at all. Keep it going dude, you are having a good season and hope you can make the most of it.

ps. don’t forget the old days dude when Coffs Harbour used to stick to you Newcastle boys

oh yeah, do you know what Snell is doing? I saw him get 3 at bats for the Phils (with a bomb as well), and then he was nowhere to be seen again…

Dave Dixon

Hey Ryan, congrats on being back up in the bigs. Your blogs are really insightful to read.

Can I cut your hair someday? I know it’s a lame question, but I cut Perlozzo’s hair a few weeks back and I’d like to cut yours too. I’m a good baseball chat for a barber.
-Jake

Ryan was brought up from the time he was three years old in Newcastle which is 2 hours north,
on the coast,even though he was born in Sydney.
As some of you are aware,his mom watches every game(not just when he pitches).(also up at 3a.m some days).Ryan’s sisters also watch whenever the time difference is feasible (0ne sister in Hong Kong, and one on Queensland’s Gold Coast,8 hours north of Sydney) so he is always supported.
Love the comments. Good to know former playing buddies are supporting too.

so excited for your next start on thurs !

Hyphen,

First, if you run into anyone in the M’s FO, thank them for fielding a team this year that allowed me a lot of time working in the yard… then give them a swift kick in the nads, in appreciation, for me.

Who hasn’t been called up (Tacoma) yet that you think is going to a stud in the bigs?

What do you think the M’s need to do in the off season to help this club out?

Any players coming out of Australia that the M’s should be scouting?

Great RRS write up in the Seattle Times:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2008114961_mari15.html

Sharing thoughts is a great way to encourage young players etc, especially the way you do it in a casual, honest modus.
Gives people insight into what it takes to be constantly on show and aspiring to live up to your own and others’ expectations over a long period of time.
It never finishes.
Keep working like you are. You are great to watch and you have a “presence” on the mound.

Welcome home. With the road trip over, things are about to get better. Hang in.

Good luck tonight Ryan! I’ll be watching. Make sure you give those A’s a rough night!

Have you been watching the Olympics? What are your favorite events?

good luck tonight Ryan!, I have the most confidence in you, still watching the mariners every night, but am stoked to see you pitch tonight…, hard to be stoked on the team this year, but you give me hope. been in your corner every night since you got called up last year… Much blessings, and can’t wait to see you & Morrow in the rotation together.

Quick question

What running and excersizes do you pitcher do, it is also intresting to see how work ethics show in how a player will play. Which players have really impressive rutienes.

By the way great job through five tonight.

Ryan, I am SOOO happy to see you back with the Mariner’s as a starter - You were AWESOME tonight! You have so many fans pulling for you and the rest of the guys. It has been a tough year, but your future looks bright!

Oh Ryan.. One more thing - good pic at the top of your blog.

Good work! it’s a shame about the loss, but that was a nice, solid 7 innings.

Good game bro - tough loss you deserved better.

Peace out man.

Dicko

Awesome stuff tonight Ryan.
You have some brutal stuff in your repertoire.
Hope the Mariners coaches and admin have their EYES WIDE OPEN!

WOW!!! fascinating start last night against OAKLAND. You were in control of every pitch and and dominated. Like I said you are a true champ! te iubesc

I am impressed but not surprised with the fine performance you turned in last night. I’ve seen it coming for some time. I’m just sorry you did not get a “W” as you certainly pitched well enough to earn a win. Keep up the effort and the wins will come. We all look forward to your next start. I am curious to know if there is a special comraderie among you players that have come up together through the Mariners farm system. The performances you fellows are turning in certainly give us fans hope for the future.

Nice pitching last night. For some reason I miss read the schedule and was going to take my son to see a fellow Aussie pitch tonight. Oh well. Nice one, keep it up, you didn’t deserve a loss but thats the game.

Hey Ryan- What a pitching job you did last night!!!!! I was very happy for you and that little HR was just a bump in the road. You really had yourself stretched out with 115 pitches. I think, that you are what we need in the rotation for next year and many more to follow. You give me someone to root for, in a year with so many ups and downs. Keep up the good work and I will see you in AZ. in the spring. I’m the Autographed Home Plate Fan.

Good game Ryan, knew you had it in you. I’m hoping Feirabend has a good game tonight, Morrow did nice last night, be cool if we had an all under 26 starting rotation next year, (although I know that’s crazy, unless we get Strasborg in the draft, or Aumont makes a quantum leap…but it’s been a crazy season and leave me my dreams!) Sorry that Yuni, hit into a double play, (AGAIN!!!!!) and that you got the loss credited to you, When you pitched great and deserved the win…(that curve ball of yours is just sick.) I’m looking forward to your next start…all blessings.

That start on Thursday was impressive - 114 pitches and over 70 for strikes!! Well done! Keep it up and here’s hoping you get some run support SOON!

You were awesome Thursday night. Can’t wait to see you when you’re here in TX. My daughter and I think you’re great.

hello!

I am a photographer. I use Mariner’s games as a way to practice. I took some photos you might like. Here was a good one I took the other night.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marksobba/2799516990/in/set-72157606957847140/

Check out the rest of the site and send me an email if you want any of the photos.
Mark

GO CHAMP ! I feel a another sensational start coming up today ! yay!

Hey Ryan, Great to see that you’ve back in the bigs and doing all of us back home proud.
I just wanted to know what it was like pitching at Yankee Stadium, especially since it’s the last year of the stadium and all the history that the stadium has, it must have been unbelievable.
Keep up the good work mate!

Hey RRS, Congrats on the W today, well deserved from what I have read. Keep at it mate.

Ryan, keep up the good work, you’ve got a ton of fans out here.

Hey Aussie boy. Its your northernhemisphere mom here. what up u tosser?