Born:  Haverhill, Mass., 11/25/1941

Died:  Wolfeboro, N.H., 7/7/2020

B-R, T-R...  6'2", 200 lbs

 

Mike Ryan had an amazingly long playing career, considering he had a lifetime batting average of .193, and a top yearly average (other than a 3-AB cup of coffee in 1964) of .232 (in 69 ABs in 1973). He came to the Phillies in 1968 from Boston along with cash for Dick Ellsworth and Gene Oliver (Ellsworth, of course, won 16 games for the pennant-winning Red Sox). He actually started one season for the Phillies (446 ABs in 1969, .204 Avg.), but was generally a backup catcher most of his career.

 

After his playing days, Ryan became a minor league manager and instructor, then joined the Phils' coaching staff in 1980 as Dallas Green set up his staff for his first full year of managing. Ryan would stay with the Phillies for the next sixteen years, leaving following the 1995 season. That put Ryan under seven different Phillies managers!

Lifetime Playing Statistics

Year

Team

AB

Runs

Hits

HR

RBI

Avg.

1964

Red Sox

3

0

1

0

2

.333

1965

Red Sox

107

7

17

3

9

.159

1966

Red Sox

369

27

79

2

32

.214

1967

Red Sox

226

21

45

2

27

.199

1968

Phillies

296

12

53

1

15

.179

1969

Phillies

446

41

91

12

44

.204

1970

Phillies

134

14

24

2

11

.179

1971

Phillies

134

9

22

3

6

.164

1972

Phillies

106

6

19

2

10

.179

1973

Phillies

69

7

16

1

5

.232

1974

Pirates

30

2

3

0

0

.100

TOTALS

 

1920

146

370

28

161

.193

Phillies Publications

From The Phillies 1980 Media Guide:

 

Age 38, turns 39 on Nov. 25... Born- Haverhill, Mass., Nov. 25, 1941... Home- Plaistow, New Hampshire... B-R, T-R... 6'2", 200... Married Suzanne Graham... Graduated St. James (Haverhill) High (1959)... Signed to his first pro contract by the Boston Red Sox.

 

Joins the Phillies coaching staff after a distinguished professional career and four years as a minor league manager... Piloted the Phillies Oklahoma City club for part of 1977 and 1978... Was a minor league catching instructor in 1979... Played for the Red Sox, Phillies and Pirates... Will handle bullpen under Dallas Green.

From The Phillies 1981 Media Guide:

 

Age 39, turns 40 on Nov. 25... Born- Haverhill, Mass., Nov. 25, 1941... Home- Plaistow, New Hampshire... B-R, T-R... 6'2", 200... Married Suzanne Graham... Graduated St. James (Haverhill) High (1959)... Signed to his first pro contract by the Boston Red Sox.

 

Begins second year as Phillies bullpen coach after a distinguished professional career and four years as a minor league manager... Piloted the Phillies Oklahoma City club for part of 1977 and 1978... Was a minor league catching instructor in 1979... Played for the Red Sox, Phillies and Pirates.

From The 1980 Phillies Yearbook:

Age 38, turns 39 on Nov. 25... Born- Haverhill, Mass., Nov. 25, 1941... Home- Plaistow, New Hampshire... B-R, T-R... 6'2", 200... Married Suzanne Graham... Graduated St. James (Haverhill) High (1959)... Signed to his first pro contract by the Boston Red Sox.

  • Favorite Color:  Blue
  • Favorite Singer/Group:  Cat Stevens
  • Favorite Song:  Wild World by Cat Stevens
  • Favorite City:  Do not have a favorite city, I like the country
  • Least Favorite City:  Charleston, South Carolina
  • Person You'd Most Like To Meet:  Ray Johnson
  • Boyhood Idol(s):  Ted Williams
  • Biggets Turn-On:  A 3-inch porterhouse steak
  • Biggest Turn-Off:  Hotels without swimming pools
  • Favorite Subject in School:  History
  • Favorite TV Show:  The Incredible Hulk
  • Favorite Book:  I've never read a book
  • Person You Most Admire:  Pope John Paul II
  • Greatest Achievement:  It hasn't happened yet.
  • Most Memorable Moment:  Catching the first ball for the first game at the Vet in 1971 when it was dropped from a helicopter.
  • Hobbies:  Antiques
  • Toughest Pitcher You've Faced:  They all gave me trouble