Come Visit November 3rd
Hi All ,
So we’re nearly a month into the offseason and already I’ve got the new glove out, breaking it in so I can start to throw again, even though I still have to wait til Christmas to pick up a ball. It’s just hard not to think about playing again when I’m sitting at home watching the playoffs!
What an awesome series between the Rays and Red Sox! I was STOKED for the Rays. I apologize to those of you who wanted a Red Sox-Dodgers series and all the hype that is created with Manny at Fenway etc, but come on, it’s pretty cool to see a team with a tiny payroll and such a young team to come through time and time again, especially after listening to every expert from ESPN analysts, to the guy sitting at his local bar saying that they’re just about to cave. They never did.
Plus it’s fun to watch my best mate Grant Balfour getting fired up like he’s just about to maul anybody with a bat in their hand. I couldn’t help but jump around my living room when he struck out Cabrera. And to answer your question Big Al, I’m pretty sure he’s fine, maybe they just wanted to give Boston a different look by throwing Price into the mix. Balfour will be yellin at himself in the Series and coming up big!
As for me, besides watching and wishing we we’re in the playoffs, I’ve been doing a bit of travelling with my girlfriend. As you can see in my new pic, I made a new friend down in Mexico, he didn’t say a whole lot but makes for a great picture, maybe he didn’t speak Australian!
Also starting my offseason routine. This time last year I was taking 5-hour bus trips in Venezuela, but this year, I have the whole time to get strong and to be in shape and 100% for spring training and win a job in the rotation!
I make my way back to the land of Oz soon, but before I leave the Seattle winter behind I wanted to let you all know you can catch me at DJ’s Sportscards on Monday, November 3rd at 6pm.
It would be great for me to put a face to some of these great comments I have gotten the last couple months and have a chat! So get yourselves down there on the 3rd so I can meet you guys in person!!
(More details are at the bottom)
OK, that’s all from me for now, but I will check back in soon and hopefully meet all of you at DJ’S Sportscards on the 3rd!
See you there!!
Ryan
Monday, November 3, 6-8 pm at DJ’s Sportscards
1630 Duvall Ave NE (Coal Creek Parkway)
Renton, WA, 98059
For driving directions check out: djssportscards.com or call 425-235-4357. Autographed tickets are $15 each, and include a COA (certificate of authenticity) and dual hologram matching serial numbered stickers. Autograph tickets, photos, balls, and cards can be purchased at the store or in advance at djssportscards.com
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Hey,
Are you going to play for Australia in the World Classic?
Hey Ryan,
Do you think you did enough in your 11 starts to deserve a spot in the rotation? Would you be terribly dissapointed going back to the pen?
I think you pitched pretty well and I am hoping you get to start!!!
Your Mexican friend looks a little familiar!
Welcome back.Really good of you to stay in touch out of season.
Bet you can’t wait to get back to OZ,but you are also very much a part of Seattle now.
Agree with you:Want The Rays to do the business in the WS.
Also want The Mariners to “copy cat” their rise to the post season with you in the rotation in 09.
Getting out the positve vibes!
I’m really sad I’m missing this!! I’ll let my friends know though
Just moved to Austin, TX. I’m going to miss watching my favorite team!
Hey Ryan! Tara and I went down to Arizona for spring training just to watch you and cheer you on, and I can’t wait to meet you in person! We are definitely your biggest fans! (Sorry that you’re missing this T!)
What a solid pitching staff the Rays have, huh?
I hope you’re happy with the new GM. I am! I think it was a great pick. Hopefully I make it to Renton.
Ryan! Ready to win 20 games next year? Do you think there’s any possibility the M’s decide to start Feierabend or Batista over you next year? (I hope not!)
What do you want to work on the most in the offseason? What do you want to improve the most about your game?
I can’t wait to meet you on the 3rd! It sucks that the Phillies will have beaten your Rays by then…
Is that a slimmer Carlos Silva with you in that picture?
Brady L. Layman III (Posted Sep 28, 2008 6:45 am)
Very well said, Ryan. You are a class act on and off the field. Look forward to seeing you in the spring!
If this is your reply to Ryan Rowland-Smith would you kindly email me at judyn@seattlebox.com
It is possible we are related if your great grandmother or grandmother was Hilda Elmlund Layman from Toppenish WA. Her husband was Brady Lee Layman and she was a sister to my grandmother Julia Elmlund Jackson, married to Charles Jackson of Auburn Wa, and the parents of Chuck Jackson Jr. of Arlington WA.
You have a miriad of cousins that would love to know you.
Ack! I work down that way, but there is no way I could make it. Hope there is a good turnout, and have fun back at home!
I’ve been reading Woerman’s/Johnson’s blog that mariners.com keeps posting, sounds like they are having a good time down in Venezuela recently, even if their team mascot is a guinea pig. Oh well.
The WS is kinda strange this year - for once, I’m ok if either team wins. I mean, former Mariner Moyer is on one team, and one of my favorite relievers Bradford is on the other - so either way, I win!
Good onya Ryan. Glad you are enjoying your time off. But also glad to see you are keen for next year, should be a good one for you. Its nice to see you are supporting Balf too! He is actually getting a bit of media coverage down here in Aus. Its a miracle! Would be great to see some more Aussies hitting the headlines down here.
take it easy and enjoy your travels
Glad you’re enjoying the offseason, and really about one the main (only?) things to look forward to for next year is seeing you and Felix in the regular rotation. At least, until we see what the new management does for rebuilding the Ms.
Would be interested to hear what your offseason regimen is like in detail - workouts, diet, throwing, etc. Never really read about such before.
Also, do you keep in touch with Raul? I’d heard Ibanez and Betancourt were going to be working out this offseason, as part of Raul’s regular regimen and as part of trying to get Yuni back to form.
I’d say I’m cheering the Rays, but honestly, with the Phillies in the WS, I’m hoping they win it so that Moyer gets a ring. He’s done so much for the NW through charity, and was so good to watch as an M, it’d be great to see him get one of the ultimate baseball rewards.
Have fun on your time off and hope you get a chance to check in on the blog.
[...] a while now….yah, since about March 2008. So sue me, I forgot. This is Seattle Mariner Ryan Rowland-Smith with Flat Jessi. You remember Flat Jessi don’t you? Flat Jessi was a project from a [...]
Hey man
Great job the last few months of the season. I had posted a comment when they sent you down to Tacoma that it was a good thing - it was the M’s showing faith in you to be a starter.
I’m guessing you’re friends with Wash, but I still don’t know why the team didn’t trade him just to get out from under his salary. Maybe at the winter meetings…
You know - with a rotation of
Felix
Bedard
Morrow
You
Silva
The team can be pretty competitive right away if you can score any runs at all.
Hopefully the new GM can get you a 1B and a DH…
Enjoy the offseason, mate.
Hi Ryan! Thanks for all of your hard work on the mound! Good to see you get some needed R & R! With as poor as this season was, there’s nowhere but up for the Mariners in 2009. You are all set to be in a sweet starting 5. Good luck, stay healthy, and God Speed!
Shawn
G’day mate,
Looks like you have been enjoying the offseason already so that’s great and well-deserved. I am sure it will be nice to spend more time in Australia this offseason and with your girlfriend as last year you were working in Venezuela so you were still away. Keep us updated every once in awhile…even if not baseball related it’s still interesting-but certainly take your much needed time off! I personally love the culture and everything about Oz so I would love to hear about your adventures down under if you are so inclined to share.
I talk about my baseball-watching withdrawals so I can’t imagine what it must be like not playing and pitching for players in the offseason.
I was so excited for the Rays and although I am cautious about optimism, you can’t help thinking, can that be the Mariners in one or two years? Especially if your arm is in the rotation! I am sure it has been fun cheering Grant Balfour on and it’s so good to see Aussies doing well in baseball! What an amazing experience for him in the Series. I have also been rooting on a Philly or two like Jamie Moyer. It’s nice to see two teams that don’t “always make it”…makes it interesting!
You said you were starting to break in a new glove. I was curious if you get a new one every year or if you just felt it was time for a new one. I have heard of some players who have had the same glove (or hat or whatever) for years and years and almost deem it unlucky to change it so I am curious as to your belief on that.
Sorry I always tend to write long messages. I have always done that whether it’s a close friend or family member or someone I barely- or don’t even know! I’m excited for November 3rd…checked out the store yesterday. Nice little shop except for all the construction on Coal Creek Parkway!! See you soon(LITERALLY!!!)
-Kirsten (Kiri)
Good on ya for getting home soon. I want to get back to Balmain for a couple of weeks, but my wife is 28 weeks pregnant and will ride out the winter here waiting. Hope the signing goes well - 50% chance I may drop by, but enjoy the off-season back home - I am jealous, and will see you pitch next year for sure.
Ryan, have you met Zduriencik? I’ve heard he’s a down-to-earth guy, no messing around.
Hope you’re in shape; the old man will put you through the wringer when you get back to Oz.
Is your”old man” mean? What is a wringer?
Wringer (Dictionary.com):
1. a person or thing that wrings.
2. an apparatus or machine for squeezing liquid out of anything wet, as two rollers through which an article of wet clothing may be squeezed.
3. a painful, difficult, or tiring experience; ordeal (usually prec. by through the): His child’s illness really put him through the wringer.
If I remember correctly, Ryan’s Dad is a trainer for professional athletes, mostly surfers. (Who knew surfers needed trainers?) I’m guessing he’s more tough than mean.
Here’s a bit on Ryan’s Dad, from Geoff Baker in the Seattle Times. Baker actually quoted people directly in this article.
***
Rowland-Smith’s father is to workouts in Australia what Steve Irwin was to crocodiles. There’s a chapter on him in “The Surfing Encyclopedia” for introducing fitness training in the sport. He runs an outdoor training compound dubbed “Muscle Beach” in his backyard, with a 30-foot rope, chin-up bars, a dumbbell station and a boxing area atop 65 tons of sand.
World surfing champion Kelly Slater, Olympic gold-medalist swimmer Brooke Hanson and professional rugby players train there while AC/DC tunes blast from speakers.
***
So, as I said, probably tough but not mean.
I really hope you make the starting rotation next year. I wish I could met you and get a autograph on the 3rd but Mondays are bad and I live 2 hours away. Enjoy the offseason. Later mate.
OK!!! BigAl (just kidding about it all anyway):
have a sense of humour. I am not stupid! Also in “the know”
This is Ryan’s blog.
SOLO
Ryan,
Thanks for coming out to Renton and signing a photo for me… it was good to meet you. Enjoy the trip home and looking forward to seeing you in the ‘09 rotation.
Solo, after a while people get to know one another on a blog. This one’s just getting started.
Depending on your age, you may or may not know what a “wringer” is. (I’ve actually seen it spelled “ringer”.) And as for Ryan’s old man, maybe some people found the info interesting. Ryan’s not very full of himself; I doubt he would brag on his dad.
Finally, as you have implied, stupid and “in the know” are two different things.
I may have been both stupid and out of the know for answering your two questions, which seemed to be addressed to me. But I’ll be sure to let you fly solo from now on.
Big Al,
Hear, hear!
Congrats on a massive year Ryan, all looking forward to 09…Aussies do it better!
Hey Ryan,
Thanks for the picture! That must be odd sitting up there having people stare at you… Anyway, I was rushing to get to work on time. Hope the rest of you time there was fun. Have a good trip home and see you starting in the spring!!
Hi Ryan, Thanks for doing DJ’s card shop last night!!! I enjoyed talking to you about your plans for the oft season. Also, about your sisters surfing and you getting a new board from the guy that makes her boards. You sounded really stoked. Have fun surfing and see ya soon in AZ. Take care
Hey Solo,
Understand your angst and your nom de plume.
Love the boy! All coming to fruition.He has had great support from his mum, sisters and stepdad.
FF
FF
Maybe I’d better put this in writing.
The positive things I wrote about Ryan’s dad are meant to imply nothing–I say, nothing!–about the rest of his family. Judging by his public persona, positive outlook and performance, Ryan was well-raised and much cared for by everyone around him as he grew up. I think he’s a great young man, and someone the whole family can be proud of.
And that’s enough from me.
Dude, you’re a stud. Appreciate how you talk with the fans and you’re honest w/ your opinions. Not enough athletes give back.
It’s also pretty sweet that you got a place in the city (Baker Blog). I never understood why more players wouldn’t want to live here.
Hi, Ryan–Just saw you’re headed to HK. I lived there seven years — am in Seattle now. Take it all in — it’s an amazing place. Best roast chicken in HK is at the New American (Wanchai) — ask for the “dow mayo” (pea greens — great!). Best breakfast — and coffee — is at the Mandarin Hotel cafe, in Central District. Beware the shellfish — much of it’s harvested in local waters, which are polluted with lots of human waste. Oh, and thanks for your solid, professional work during a pretty dismal season. Safe travels. Pops
Hey Ryan! Great to hear from you again. I would’ve have come down to meet you last week, but I had to work. You had a fantastic season. It was awesome to watch you pitch with everything you had every fifth day. Congratulations on buying a place in Seattle! That is quite an accomplishment. Travel safe and we’ll see you when you get back to Seattle!!
Hey Ryan! Good luck in the off-season, hopefully you won’t get too antsy waiting around to start throwing again. I live in Phoenix so i’ve been to a few of the AFL games and seen Rob Johnson, Carlos Triunfel, and a few other guys that the Mariners sent. Have you had a chance to work with them? If so, what do you think of them? Hoping you enjoy your time off, and i look forward to seeing you and the rest of the team at Spring Training!