Sports Radio Interviews

36 Year Old Ryan Franklin Set to Make His All Star Debut

It wasn’t too long ago that Ryan Franklin was pitching for my hometown team, the Seattle Mariners, without much success. Franklin was a starter at the time, and was a pitch to contact pitcher, relying heavily on the defense behind him.

The low point in Franklin’s career here in Seattle, coming in August of 2005, was a positive test for banned substances which resulted in a 10 game suspension. Franklin’s contract, which was up at the end of the 2005 season, was not renewed by the Mariners. Franklin bounced around in between spot starting and long relief with the Philadelphia Phillies and was eventually traded to the Cincinnati Reds to finish out the 2006 season. He signed that off season with the Saint Louis Cardinals and was used in 2007 primarily as a setup man.

The Cardinals granted Franklin his big opportunity in May of 2008, allowing him to close out a few games while Jason Isringhausen battled through injuries. Franklin has seemed to found his niche. He’s already recorded 20 saves this season and has a miniscule ERA of .83.

Ryan Franklin joined KJR AM in Seattle to share his joy in being selected to his first all star game and to talk about what has made him into such a dominate closer.

On if being selected to the National League all star team means more to him due to the road he’s traveled:

“I think it does. I never considered myself to be, I don’t know, an all star caliber player. I just happened to have a great year this year. I think I’m a lot smarter now than I was back then. You learn every year a little more about pitching, you learn a little more about life. I think it’s a lot sweeter now, man.”

Ryan was asked if there is any added incentive pitching at his home ballpark for the all star game:

“There is some good people there. It’s pretty close to Oklahoma, so they’ve got to be good, you know? Playing there, being on the all star team, maybe when they call my name out a few people will holler for me.”

On if his family will be there with him during the festivities:

“My son is going to be down there with me during the home run derby. That dude, he’s probably way more excited than I am. He’s turning 12 this month. He’s getting up there. He’s just now kind of realizing that it’s a pretty big deal and he’s stoked. I’m so happy for him, too.”

Ryan was asked if he’s found something different in his game or approach that’s lead to this recent success:

“I feel like I’ve gotten a lot smarter pitching-wise. Believe me, there is still a lot out there for me to learn but for me, it’s just getting ahead of guys with different pitches, not just the fastball. Getting ahead of a guy with a curveball and getting ahead of guys with a cutter, a cut fastball. That’s been huge for me. I think that if I can get ahead of guys I really have got a good chance of getting them out.”

Listen to Ryan Franklin on KJR in Seattle with Dave “Softy” Mahler

Tags: MLB All Star Game, MLB best closers, Ryan Franklin, St. Louis Cardinals