Getting Off The DL
Hi Everyone-
First of all I just want to apologize for the 2 months in between blogs. We were rained out tonight so it gave me a bit of time to type up some paragraphs. So much to talk about since I last wrote, and a lot has gone on with the Mariners.
I’ll get the negativity out of the way first and talk about my elbow, which totally caught me off guard! I went from fighting my way into the rotation to having a tough first outing in Oakland, to all of a sudden feeling some stuff on the drive home from Opening Day in my elbow, to landing on the DL for the first time! Nothing too serious but it seriously sucks sitting out especially right out of spring training! I was so amped to be picking up where I left off last year, and next thing I know, I’m getting iced down everyday! Don’t want to dwell on the injury. I played catch today for the first time in two weeks so i’ll just worry about getting back out there.
Now for some positivity!
I guess what has made my time on the DL a lot easier has been watching us kick everyone’s ass!It’s been a lot of fun, we have such a great group of guys and everyone is playing so well. We have chemistry in the locker room and on the field. From the coaching staff, to the speed in our lineup to the patient at bats, to the pushing guys over. A lot of fun to watch. Just want to hurry up and get amongst it. I want contribute a little more than being a cheerleader on the top step of the dugout giving fist pumps every time we score!
I know you have heard it a lot already but having guys like Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Sweeney in the clubhouse and on the bench does make a difference, even when they’re not playing. They are two genuinely good human beings, and being a young guy like myself, it really rubs off on me as to how a professional athlete should act.
Another guy I love to watch do everything from play defense to hit is Endy Chavez. He is a difference maker in our line up. It’s always tough to pitch to a lineup with speed and who can bunt and do all the little things. He is a big part of that dynamic.
Got to hang out with one of my best mate’s Grant Balfour when the Tampa Bay Rays came to town. I could lie and write that we sat around ate vegemite, drank Foster’s and tossed the boomerang but sorry it didn’t happen! Believe it or not Aussies don’t drink Fosters ! Lets get that straight! We eat vegemite though! Gotta know how to spread it! Well that’s all from me tonight.
Have a long day tomorrow with the double header plus I get to throw a baseball!I apologize for not answering the questions on this one but if you have any ask me and i’ll answer them next blog in two months…kidding!
Ryan
(9 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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G’Day Ryan,
Great to hear from you again – we all missed you over the past 2 months, not only here but out the field. I hope the elbow is getting better and is not too painful. At least the boys are doing well – leading the division after the opening few weeks is a great start.
The good news is my trip is booked for July so I will be in Seattle for 4 home games – it would be awesome to see you out on the mound so hopefully this elbow is your only time on the DL list for the season!
One question for you: there is constant debate over the ‘best player’ in the football codes here. Who do you think is the MLB’s “best player” at the moment and why? Thanks Ryan!
Hey Ryan:looking forward to your return. See you soon.
Hey Ryan!
It’s great to see the M’s make a complete 180 so quickly. Obviously certain aspects of last season were great, but as a whole it was a rough time. But this season the team seems to have changed in a very positive way…and you guys are dominating on the field! It’s so great to be following a winning team once again!
I love to hear about guys like Griffey, Sweeney, and Chavez, that can lead both on the field and in the clubhouse. It’s guys like them (and you, of course!) that i respect most in baseball, guys that have fun doing what they love and make it a great experience for everyone; that makes it more enjoyable for us as fans as well.
I’m sure it’s frustrating being on the DL right now–nobody wants to start out the season injured. However, i’m positive that once you get past this minor setback, you’ll be just as great as you were last season. Just think of it as a tiny blip, and once you get past it, it won’t matter. You’re on a great team and you’ve been on fire lately, so i’m positive it’ll all work out. This is going to be a great season!
One quick question: Are there any particular MLB teams or players you enjoy watching? Do you ever watch a baseball game when you’ve got free time, or is that kind of like coming home from work and doing more work?
Take care, Ryan!
Cant wait to see you on that mound again champ!
te pupic
rrs
youre so dreamy.
hurry and get back
Ryan~
Glad to hear that you’re doing better. Can’t wait until your next start at home so I can (finally) wear my Rowland-Smith jersey. Do they even sell Fosters in Oz? I only saw XXXX in Queensland, but I hear that’s how they spell beer. I’d venture to say that you and Balfour drank Toohey’s though.
I was wondering if you had a specific meal/snack that you love to eat before/after a game. After I go diving I crave clam chowder…I know, strange.
~Jenny~ (with the shirt)
haha! Yeah, I didn’t see a single can or bottle of Foster’s when we were in AU. I did see (and drink) lots of Cooper’s though. Good to see you’re still interested in keeping this blog up. Get better soon, you’ve worked too hard not to school some batters this year!
[...] 30, 2009 in 1 Looks like Ryan Rowland-Smith updated his blog again. I really do wish more players would keep blogs, but I’m sure it’s not easy to [...]
Good to hear from you again Ryan. And it’s really great to hear that you guys are having fun this year. I can’t wait to see you out on the field!
Ryan, Great news the the team is going really well and will be even better when you get on that mound! Use this time to keep up the rehab on the arm as it will so worth it for when you are off the DL.
Hey Ryan,
You should have gone out to dinner with us instead of being on the computer Monday night in Chicago! Glad to hear you’re doing better and I’ll see you soon in Minnesota. PS-hopefully you can drive one of the cars when you’re in MN!
Ryan,
Get healthy soon! You are going to be needed in the weeks/months ahead!
Lonnie
Hi Ryany, long time! EssBubbya been trying to get a hold of you – it’s great to hear how you are going. I watched your 1st game in the Currumbin foyer, bring on the 2nd!! Mum says Hi, don’t know if you dreamy, but I love ya anyway! Can’t wait to see you back on the mound.
Glad to hear you’re staying positive and that the injury’s healing up. Got a bit worried when they ‘drained fluid’ from the elbow. Must’ve been fun.
And if you’re making a rehab appearance in Tacoma, let me know. I’ll bring the Toohey’s to the stadium instead of leaving them in Seattle.
Glad to see you on your way back to the mound. I’m not sure which is worse, being out of it when your guys are struggling or not being able to join in the ass-kicking. I didn’t get a chance to mention it when you posted earlier, but I wanted to say thanks to you and the rest of the team for all of the Boys and Girls Club and Make A Wish things you do. It means a huge amount to the kids and those who know them. Junior is still one of my personal heroes for spending a day with a friend of mine who was fighting leukemia back when I was a kid in 96-ish.
Hey Ryan!!
Great to hear from you!! To be honest, my life has been nuts (by my standards) so I can understand you not writing since your life is probably a lot more busy than mine and I had trouble finding time to check the web!
I certainly have missed seeing you play but I do catch glimpses of you on the top step and can tell you would have made a great cheerleader…if you were a sixteen year old skinny blonde girl….JK
Kinda happy you talked about Endy Chavez cuz I was curious about him. I have been gone for the past month with barely any communication to the “outside world” but I just got back and am pleasantly amazed to see how well your team is doing! I was happy when we acquired him but really happy Russell Branyan is living up to my expectations and then some. It actually looks like a TEAM this year and not just a bunch of individuals thrown together. Can’t wait to get to a game myself which is what I am doing after this posting-checking out tix!
I know you have been on the DL but are you able to give any tipe to the young pitchers? Or do you consider yourself still a “young ‘un” and are doing most the learning? And from whom especially? (Of course I know you never stop learning but there’s rookies and then there’s veterans)
Can’t wait to see you back into the action!
As for beer, I don’t drink Foster’s either. I got hooked on “Toohey’s New”. Still trying to decide about Vegemite
snowboard when you retire? dude, you gotta surf. theres nothing like that. heck, actually why not do both. :^)
Really counting on your speedy recovery. The Ms need some injection of excitement.Watching you pitch certainly does the job.
Lets see some offense going again and then you will be back.
CAN’T WAIT RYAN!Stay healthy.
Yep – the vegemite is great. My 3 year old just loves it. My dad is flying in this week and I told him to bring in some extra stock, though good thing is SimplyOz is a nice drive. May have to go down and pick up some Tooheys. Hope the arm is improving. I am taking my dad to a Boston game next week to give him an “american experience”. I am sure he will love it.
By the way – when they pulled Fosters from the market back home, Carlton just rebottled it and called it Crown Lager – true. So I find it funny when someone is sipping on a Crownie, thinking it is a premium beer, when they are just drinking Fosters. The same people would say “I never drink Fosters”. It was a strategic move as VB and Carlton draft were doing well on tap, and us Aussies don’t drink “The stuff the w%^kers overseas drink”. So change the market. Keep Fosters overseas and make us Aussies think Crown Lager is an elite beer.
Nice words for your mum on Mothers Day in Seattle Times -(I think).
Certainly hope your return to the rotation is right on schedule.
Into the Tooheys Old these days. – and of course the Stones Ginger Beer. – None of that wishy washy “Blue Tongue” stuff.
Will have one for your mum at The Brewery. She is a very special woman, and the best mum.
Hey Ryan,
I can’t wait to have you on the mound again. I was their for your major league debut, pretty awesome to be facing Junior as your first batter. Keep your head up and jus keep fighting, I want to see you and all the M’s crush the AL West (Specifically the Angels).
If you ever have time I would love it if you ccould check out the website I write for– Nextseasonsports.com.
I heard you are expected to return at the beginning of June. Is that true?
Don’t stop fighting Aussie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just read that you threw a simulated game today and it went well. That’s great news! We need you back in the rotation. I know you said you’re tired of being a cheerleader in the dugout, but I have to say that it’s been fun to watch you talking to everybody in the dugout during the games. You do love to talk to everyone, don’t you! I’m sure you’ve been a great support to your teammates. Hope to see you back out there soon!
So ryan besides baseball, traveling , your girlfriend , and surfing what else is important to you? we want more pictures, travel, family, girlfriend, friends. what do you think sets you apart from other basball players ?
G’Day Ryan,
How goes the recovery mate? read you took part in a simulated game how that go for you? Do the fellow aussie players like Balfour keep in touch alot?
Hope to see you back on the mound shortly hey. scotty
saw your 2009 comerical on the website. quite good does that happin alot people thinking your from Austria?
missed you here in the lone star state. hope to see you in late july. go m’s.
Excited about your prospective return to the rotation…the Mariners need you!!
Hey Ryan! Can’t wait until you come back to the rotation. Hopefully you can get the M’s out of the funk you guys are currently in here in the month of May. I’m sure it will all be fine, because I must say, that month of April was awesome to watch.
Oh and I have to know, who would you say is the funniest person in the clubhouse? I have my money on Wakamatsu, after a win that is.
Wish you were starting tonight, as I’m takin’ me out to the ballgame. Won’t be long now…
Shannon writes that you threw a couple of rehab innings in Peoria Saturday. How did that go?
Hi Ryan,
Can’t wait for your return to the M’s, Channel 10 down here have launched a 24 hr free to air HD sports channel (ONE) that’s showing MLB almost every day, so hopefully there’ll be a whole bunch of Aussie’s learning more about Baseball and watching you Succeed.
Can’t wait, good luck with the rehab, great to see the Manager has endorsed your return to the Rotation and not the pen!
Cheers
Craig (Sydney)
Hey Ryan!
I’m going with a baseball team from New South Wales/Queensland to California in June/July and all 20 of us will be attending the Mariners vs Dodgers game in LA on the 26th of next month, hopefully we can see you in action that game, it’d be amazing.
Looking forward to your return!
Tom
Brisbane
Ryan, will you be starting in Tacoma Saturday? If yes, how about putting one or two lines here in the comment thread?–no need for a separate blog entry.
Here’s hoping you’re hitting your spots and throwing nice and easy.