1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,440 Speaker 1: Welcome to Dodger Talk and great to have you on 2 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:06,280 Speaker 1: a show that so many were calling and asking about 3 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:07,160 Speaker 1: you last year. 4 00:00:08,360 --> 00:00:10,639 Speaker 2: Yeah. Hi, guys, I'm happy to be here. Thank you 5 00:00:10,720 --> 00:00:11,799 Speaker 2: for having me. I'm excited for this. 6 00:00:12,600 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm excited too. I mean, I feel like I 7 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:17,759 Speaker 1: know you already with the way everybody's been pumping you 8 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:21,360 Speaker 1: up to me. What was last year like for you 9 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: to have that type of season at Triple A. 10 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:27,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, it was. I mean, it was a fun year. 11 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:30,280 Speaker 2: We had a great team too, So it was just 12 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:34,559 Speaker 2: a lot of swing changes and approach decision decisions that 13 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:37,120 Speaker 2: I made like during the offseason and really committed to 14 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:39,720 Speaker 2: during the year. So being able to see it all 15 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:43,360 Speaker 2: pay off and see the right results was really cool 16 00:00:43,400 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 2: for me, and then just just continuing to try and 17 00:00:45,320 --> 00:00:45,879 Speaker 2: build on it. 18 00:00:46,640 --> 00:00:51,200 Speaker 1: Your season actually started with Team USA the Premiere sixteen 19 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 1: where they were playing in Japan, and your manager was 20 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:58,520 Speaker 1: Mike Soosha. One of your coaches was Dino Eble, who's 21 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:02,640 Speaker 1: the Dodgers third base coach. How much did that experience 22 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:05,880 Speaker 1: help you get ready for the season and the one 23 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 1: that you had the big, you know, coming out party 24 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:10,199 Speaker 1: that you had in Oklahoma City. 25 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:14,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, incredibly. I mean those those guys, that whole staff, 26 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 2: including them, like the baseball knowledge was insane, so so 27 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:21,360 Speaker 2: being able to pick their brains and talk about things 28 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:24,039 Speaker 2: whether you're on the field or not, like watching something 29 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 2: happen and kind of learning from them, seeing the way 30 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:29,039 Speaker 2: they see the game was huge and I tried to 31 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 2: take advantage of it as most as much as I could. 32 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:34,480 Speaker 1: How much did Rich Hill try to buddy up to 33 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 1: you being from Massachusetts and try to brow out that 34 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:40,480 Speaker 1: you guys are boss Bostonians. 35 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:44,120 Speaker 2: As one of the first things we talked about, and 36 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:46,800 Speaker 2: then we became We became pretty close throughout that tournament, 37 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:49,040 Speaker 2: and we've actually been on a couple of flights together, 38 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:51,360 Speaker 2: whether it's coming home for All Star Break or heading 39 00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:54,080 Speaker 2: back out, so we've been able to kind of stay 40 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:56,400 Speaker 2: in touch and it's been awesome. 41 00:01:57,280 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 1: Ryan Ward is joining us, Yes that Ryan Ward is 42 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:04,440 Speaker 1: joining us on Dodger Talk. You can follow him on 43 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:09,959 Speaker 1: Instagram our Ward oh twelve on Instagram and really get 44 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:12,519 Speaker 1: to know him through social media. Get to know him 45 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:15,680 Speaker 1: right here on Dodger Talk, and you will get to 46 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 1: know him during this upcoming season because he is going 47 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:21,320 Speaker 1: to be in Big League camp. You are on the 48 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:25,480 Speaker 1: forty man roster. Did you believe the Dodgers were going 49 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:28,560 Speaker 1: to add you to the forty man roster or did 50 00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:32,280 Speaker 1: you believe that they were going to you were going 51 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:35,360 Speaker 1: to move on and get an opportunity with another team. 52 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 1: What were your feelings after the season. 53 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:42,359 Speaker 2: You know, I really wasn't sure what was going to happen, 54 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 2: especially with the Dodgers. I mean, they make so many 55 00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 2: moves you never really know what's going to happen. So, 56 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 2: you know, I was kind of just sitting there on 57 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:53,519 Speaker 2: that last day of kind of just sweating it out, 58 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:56,079 Speaker 2: wondering which way it was going to happen, what was 59 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:57,440 Speaker 2: going to happen, which way it was going to go. 60 00:02:57,560 --> 00:02:59,920 Speaker 2: And I eventually got the call that they added me, 61 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 2: and I was excited. I mean, forty man Dodger or 62 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:06,959 Speaker 2: forty man roster for the LA Dodgers is no little thing. 63 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 2: So I'm excited to get back out there and get 64 00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:12,680 Speaker 2: on the field and just continue playing and having fun. 65 00:03:13,800 --> 00:03:16,200 Speaker 1: You know, I don't know how you felt, Ryan, but 66 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:20,200 Speaker 1: I'll let you in on something. You may have heard 67 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:23,040 Speaker 1: me say this when you were on hold, but literally 68 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:26,920 Speaker 1: every day for the last three months of the season, 69 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 1: as you were exploding and having your tremendous year. I 70 00:03:31,040 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 1: literally got a phone call on this show, or somebody 71 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:38,280 Speaker 1: would stop me at the stadium, or even some broadcaster 72 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:42,160 Speaker 1: would ask me. Every single day I had a Ryan 73 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 1: Ward streak going where somebody would ask me about Ryan 74 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:49,560 Speaker 1: Ward and why he wasn't called up to the Dodgers. 75 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 1: I'm sure you got that more than I did. How 76 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:54,680 Speaker 1: did you handle all that? 77 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:58,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean I was getting I was getting a 78 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:00,960 Speaker 2: lot of dms from people, you know, asking why I'm 79 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:03,760 Speaker 2: not up there and all this stuff. But you know, 80 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 2: it's a tough spot because like I can't control any 81 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:10,200 Speaker 2: of that stuff, so so me thinking about it and 82 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:13,560 Speaker 2: pondering it is something I try not to do. Obviously 83 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 2: I think about it all the time, but I try 84 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 2: not to like sit there and think about it twenty 85 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:20,279 Speaker 2: four to seven. You know, just just focus on My 86 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 2: big saying is control what I can control, and that's 87 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:26,039 Speaker 2: going out every night and doing my best. You know, 88 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:28,839 Speaker 2: can can control moves that are being made or decisions 89 00:04:28,880 --> 00:04:31,280 Speaker 2: being made. I can control how I prepare for the game, 90 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:33,400 Speaker 2: how I play in the game, and that's kind of 91 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 2: where I direct all my focus. 92 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:39,600 Speaker 1: Do you use it as fuel for motivation. Do you 93 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:42,599 Speaker 1: play with a chip on your shoulder because you still 94 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:44,119 Speaker 1: haven't got that call yet? 95 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean I feel like I've always played with 96 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:50,360 Speaker 2: a chip on my shoulder. It's just something that you know, 97 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:53,520 Speaker 2: gets the fire lit underneath me and just pushes me 98 00:04:53,600 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 2: to be better every day. And I just try to 99 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 2: go out there and carry that ship around and leave 100 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:01,240 Speaker 2: it all out there every night, whether it the preparation 101 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:04,039 Speaker 2: before the game, the play during the game, looking at 102 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:06,440 Speaker 2: stuff the next day about the game before and trying 103 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:09,159 Speaker 2: to make changes and you know, just continuing to build. 104 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 2: So I'm always trying to find ways to be better 105 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 2: and push myself to be better. 106 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:18,679 Speaker 1: Since you are from Boston, obviously a crazy sports town, 107 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:22,520 Speaker 1: especially for the Red Sox. When you were growing up, 108 00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:25,040 Speaker 1: did you have a favorite player on the Red Sox 109 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:29,240 Speaker 1: or on another team who who inspired Ryan Ward to 110 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: want to become a professional baseball player. 111 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,279 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, obviously Red Sox fan. Growing up, I 112 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:39,200 Speaker 2: was a big, big David Ortis fan, just because I 113 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 2: was I was a lefty. He was the lefty power guy. 114 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 2: Like it was. David Ortiz was like he was an 115 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:49,440 Speaker 2: icon around here. So David Ortiz for sure was my 116 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:51,400 Speaker 2: favorite Red Sox growing up. I mean I watched them 117 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 2: all the time. And yeah, i'd say David Ortiz for sure. 118 00:05:57,120 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 1: Were you old enough to remember Dave Roberts stealing that 119 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:01,520 Speaker 1: base in two thousand and four. 120 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:05,520 Speaker 2: Well, yeah, I've watched that thirty for thirty documentary a 121 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:11,920 Speaker 2: hundred times, you know, d like least four or five 122 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:15,719 Speaker 2: times in a row and then they shit and the homer, 123 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:16,720 Speaker 2: all of it. 124 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 1: Have you have you spoken to Dave Roberts? I know 125 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 1: you haven't been in big league camp. Have you had 126 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 1: many interactions with him? Uh? 127 00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:29,039 Speaker 2: Yeah, I've been in I've been in big league camp 128 00:06:29,080 --> 00:06:32,599 Speaker 2: for I think the past two years. That's free. 129 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 1: I apologize. I must have introduced myself to you. 130 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 2: Yeah yeah, no, no, no, yeah, but. 131 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:42,919 Speaker 1: Sorry, Alex Friedland and Gavin Stone try to dominate my time. 132 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:43,839 Speaker 1: I forget, you know. 133 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's fair, that's definitely fair. So, yeah, we've had 134 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:53,440 Speaker 2: a couple of conversations like during spring training for sure, 135 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:55,720 Speaker 2: here and there, But no that that's never came up. 136 00:06:55,839 --> 00:06:57,960 Speaker 2: So I'm sure I'm sure will at some point, but 137 00:06:58,080 --> 00:06:58,760 Speaker 2: just hasn't yet. 138 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:03,480 Speaker 1: Ryan is our guest. He was the Pacific Coast League 139 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:06,719 Speaker 1: player of the year in twenty twenty five, looking to 140 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:10,600 Speaker 1: make a big impact for the Dodgers in twenty twenty six, 141 00:07:10,760 --> 00:07:13,119 Speaker 1: and I'm sure this has got to be a huge 142 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 1: step closer to you realizing your dream. Ryan. With the 143 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 1: Dodgers outfield situation in flux, especially in left field, you 144 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 1: got to feel optimistic that this is going to be 145 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 1: the year that you get an opportunity. 146 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:30,800 Speaker 2: Absolutely, I mean especially with kind of like you said, 147 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 2: being put on the forty man like gives you a 148 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:34,640 Speaker 2: real shock or int that they can do it during 149 00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 2: the year with all those news and everything, but being 150 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 2: on it already is huge, and you know, like trying 151 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:42,240 Speaker 2: to get my body into the best spot it can be, 152 00:07:42,440 --> 00:07:45,840 Speaker 2: strength wise, getting all my recovery done, get my swing 153 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:47,600 Speaker 2: right in, you know, just trying to show up with 154 00:07:48,200 --> 00:07:50,520 Speaker 2: my foot on the pedal all the way to the 155 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:52,680 Speaker 2: floor and then just give it everything I got and 156 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:55,320 Speaker 2: leave it out there. But trying to have fun with 157 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:56,960 Speaker 2: it too, you know. I mean, you can't go in 158 00:07:57,000 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 2: there and then just play under pressure from myself day 159 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:02,680 Speaker 2: after day. It's because it's that's gonna hurt me. So 160 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:05,200 Speaker 2: just trying to have fun with it, enjoy it and 161 00:08:05,640 --> 00:08:07,760 Speaker 2: learn from all those guys and talk to the guys, 162 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 2: and I kind of like earlier I said, pick their 163 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 2: brains about certain things, and you know, just improve and 164 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:14,720 Speaker 2: chase my dream every day. 165 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 1: No doubt, you must be doing something right. Ryan Ward 166 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:22,000 Speaker 1: to hit thirty six home runs for Oklahoma City last year. 167 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:24,800 Speaker 1: Before I let you go, I got to ask you this, 168 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 1: since you were part of the organization last year. Where 169 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 1: were you watching number one, the eighteen inning game when 170 00:08:32,800 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 1: Freddy hit the walk off home run? And number two? 171 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:39,480 Speaker 1: Where were you watching Game seven of the World Series. 172 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:43,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, the eighteen inning game. I was at home, and 173 00:08:43,640 --> 00:08:46,959 Speaker 2: I was having flashbacks too, because the before I got 174 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 2: dropped about dollars, they played the Red Sox and had 175 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:52,960 Speaker 2: like that seventeen eighteen inning playoffs. Yeah, so I was 176 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,200 Speaker 2: having flashbacks to that while I was watching it. But 177 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 2: a Game seven, I was actually at my buddy's house. 178 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:01,520 Speaker 2: There's a group of us all sitting there watching the game. 179 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 2: So it was a really cool environment to be able 180 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:05,960 Speaker 2: to watch it. I mean, that was one of the 181 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:08,400 Speaker 2: craziest Game sevens I think I've ever seen in my 182 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:11,280 Speaker 2: life any sport. So we able to watch it with 183 00:09:11,320 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 2: some of the guys and have something to celebrate with them. 184 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:15,400 Speaker 2: Was pretty cool, was. 185 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:17,760 Speaker 1: That In you're talking about some of the guys that 186 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:20,240 Speaker 1: you were teammates with at Oklahoma City. 187 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:24,320 Speaker 2: Well, we were. I was with friends from home back 188 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:27,160 Speaker 2: in Massachusetts, but a lot of us from the OKAC 189 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:29,560 Speaker 2: team or in a group message and we're all texting 190 00:09:29,679 --> 00:09:32,240 Speaker 2: throughout all the games and everything. So it was cool 191 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:35,960 Speaker 2: to be able to like integrate my OKAC friends and 192 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:38,040 Speaker 2: my friends from home, and everyone's kind of rooting for 193 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:39,440 Speaker 2: the same thing. So it was pretty cool. 194 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 1: How invested did you feel watching the Dodgers in the 195 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 1: World Series. 196 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:47,680 Speaker 2: I felt pretty invested. I mean a lot of the 197 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 2: guys I've played with because of they're either down in 198 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:54,600 Speaker 2: rehab or during spring training or I was down in 199 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:57,920 Speaker 2: a stay hot camp for all the series up until 200 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:00,719 Speaker 2: the World Series, so I was there staying ready in 201 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 2: case something happened. So I was pretty invested in what 202 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:04,960 Speaker 2: was going on with them. 203 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 1: Did you see this coming with Roki Sasaki when he was, 204 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 1: you know, making his way back at Oklahoma City before 205 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:15,319 Speaker 1: he came back in September and did what he did 206 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:16,960 Speaker 1: in the postseason. 207 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 2: When he really got going and kind of got his 208 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:24,320 Speaker 2: strength back, and it was in a role down in Okay. See, 209 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:27,400 Speaker 2: I mean, nobody was touching him. He was he was 210 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 2: throwing strikes, he was town his only throwing hard. His 211 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:33,840 Speaker 2: splitter was unbelievable. And I was just kind of like, 212 00:10:33,880 --> 00:10:36,640 Speaker 2: we're all kind of sitting there like, oh, like I 213 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:39,199 Speaker 2: think he's ready. I think he's ready to go back 214 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:40,920 Speaker 2: up there. It was really fun to watch while he 215 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 2: was down there. 216 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:46,319 Speaker 1: That's so great, great perspective from a guy that everybody 217 00:10:46,360 --> 00:10:49,880 Speaker 1: wants to see make his major league debut this year 218 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 1: with the Dodgers, and that is Ryan Ward. Thanks a 219 00:10:52,880 --> 00:10:55,280 Speaker 1: lot for the time, Ryan, can't wait to see you 220 00:10:55,320 --> 00:10:57,960 Speaker 1: again in big league camp, like I have the last 221 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 1: couple of years. And uh, i'll i'll, I'll box out 222 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:03,920 Speaker 1: Stone and Freedland and say, hey, we need some alone 223 00:11:03,920 --> 00:11:06,320 Speaker 1: time here, all right, let me focus on this guy 224 00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:07,040 Speaker 1: from Boston. 225 00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:10,280 Speaker 2: That sounds good to me. Thank you for having me on. 226 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:11,120 Speaker 2: I appreciate it. 227 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:13,360 Speaker 1: No, my pleasure. Thank you for the time. And we'll 228 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:14,800 Speaker 1: see you in a month. 229 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, we'll see in a few weeks.