#324 Mike Ryan

Defensive specialist catcher usually in a backup role...anemic with a bat... Career .193 BA in 2000+ at bats.....Introduced to the Red Sox was their regular catcher 1966....thrust into the spotlight 1967 as the Red Sox surged....lost starting job to veteran Elston Howard....outspoken about it and he may had a case....nobody calling themselves backstop hit very well....Ryan hit .199 while the ancient Howard hit a horrid .145...Ryan was vocal about too....Shuffled to the Phillies for 1968...a regular for a second time Ryan was able to put up his career best 12 hrs and 44 RBIs in 1969 but his .204 BA underlies his hitting futility....Ryan never regained significant playing time thereafter, due acquisitions of Tim McCarver, John Bateman, and then the development of Bob Boone...got in 46 games twice in the remainder of his five season....was able to hit .232 in 79 at bats 1973, a personal best....squeaked in some time with Pirates 1974....remained in baseball for 21 more years; minor league manager, catching instructor, and bullpen coach....mostly for the Phillies organization.