Settle in cuz I gotta story for ya, Ags.
A little over a year ago, the little boys met Ryan Targac and Trevor Werner at Blue Baker and Max was immediately in awe. His shyness won though and he just couldn't talk or give him "knuckles". Ryan made a comment about his hair and I told him that Max was going to talk about him all the way home. Which he did and "my friend, Ryan" became a common phrase in our home.
In January, I attended the Texas Aggie baseball women's clinic and had a chance to chat with Ryan. I mentioned how Max had talked about him non-stop since their meeting and only refers to him as "my friend, Ryan." Immediately he said, "you tell my friend, Max I said hello" and encouraged us to stop him if we saw him somewhere so Max could talk to him.
First Sunday game of the season Malcolm wanted to run the bases but Max did not. We saw Ryan as he was going into the dugout and Max was just beside himself being that close. As soon as I said Ryan's name though, shy mode. He wanted my help to give him "knucks" and then he was on cloud 9!
Because of a very generous Ag, the boys and I attended many games this season and even had great parking. This made it very easy for us to hang around and wait on players. Malcolm wanted autographs but Max was really only interested in talking to Ryan. Game by game, he became more confident and on the way to the park, he'd tell me what he was going to tell Ryan about that night. Swimming lessons, T-ball, float tests, what he was learning in preschool. Ryan was incredibly patient and kind with him.
Then there was a night when Ryan just did not have a good game. He was frustrated and it was obvious in the way he was carrying himself as he left the park. We were on the stairs, not even outside yet and he was already out the gate. By this time, Max had learned which truck was Ryan's (IYKYK) and saw him get in it. I told Max we were just going to wave tonight and we'd talk to him the next time. Y'ALL, this man saw Max waving and got back out of his truck to come hug and talk to us. Max told him something like "it's okay to have a bad day".
Then he got mobbed for autographs by a bunch of preteen boys when it was obvious he just wanted to go home (sorry about that, Ryan). He treated every one of them with respect and took time to sign things and take pictures.
As many of you know, this season wasn't Ryan's best. There were plenty of games he didn't play in. But Max still wanted to see him after every game and nearly every time, Ryan came out with a big smile and a "hey, guys. So good to see you. Thanks for coming out tonight. Hey Max, knucks?" This Sunday, when this picture was taken, was no different.
I don't know if we'll make it to a game during the supers but if we don't, this was Max's favorite night to see him. He's not shy and awkward anymore with Ryan and anyone who knows him has heard about My Friend Ryan.
Ryan, thank you for everything. For leaving it all on the diamond. For staying. For stepping into whatever role coach needed. For being a positive role model both on and off the field. And mostly, for being My Friend Ryan to a wild little Max with a head full of wicked cool red hair.
You are a complete embodiment of what the 12th Man stands for and I'm so happy we had a chance to connect with you. Gig em and let's BTHO some ducks!
A little over a year ago, the little boys met Ryan Targac and Trevor Werner at Blue Baker and Max was immediately in awe. His shyness won though and he just couldn't talk or give him "knuckles". Ryan made a comment about his hair and I told him that Max was going to talk about him all the way home. Which he did and "my friend, Ryan" became a common phrase in our home.
In January, I attended the Texas Aggie baseball women's clinic and had a chance to chat with Ryan. I mentioned how Max had talked about him non-stop since their meeting and only refers to him as "my friend, Ryan." Immediately he said, "you tell my friend, Max I said hello" and encouraged us to stop him if we saw him somewhere so Max could talk to him.
First Sunday game of the season Malcolm wanted to run the bases but Max did not. We saw Ryan as he was going into the dugout and Max was just beside himself being that close. As soon as I said Ryan's name though, shy mode. He wanted my help to give him "knucks" and then he was on cloud 9!
Because of a very generous Ag, the boys and I attended many games this season and even had great parking. This made it very easy for us to hang around and wait on players. Malcolm wanted autographs but Max was really only interested in talking to Ryan. Game by game, he became more confident and on the way to the park, he'd tell me what he was going to tell Ryan about that night. Swimming lessons, T-ball, float tests, what he was learning in preschool. Ryan was incredibly patient and kind with him.
Then there was a night when Ryan just did not have a good game. He was frustrated and it was obvious in the way he was carrying himself as he left the park. We were on the stairs, not even outside yet and he was already out the gate. By this time, Max had learned which truck was Ryan's (IYKYK) and saw him get in it. I told Max we were just going to wave tonight and we'd talk to him the next time. Y'ALL, this man saw Max waving and got back out of his truck to come hug and talk to us. Max told him something like "it's okay to have a bad day".
Then he got mobbed for autographs by a bunch of preteen boys when it was obvious he just wanted to go home (sorry about that, Ryan). He treated every one of them with respect and took time to sign things and take pictures.
As many of you know, this season wasn't Ryan's best. There were plenty of games he didn't play in. But Max still wanted to see him after every game and nearly every time, Ryan came out with a big smile and a "hey, guys. So good to see you. Thanks for coming out tonight. Hey Max, knucks?" This Sunday, when this picture was taken, was no different.
I don't know if we'll make it to a game during the supers but if we don't, this was Max's favorite night to see him. He's not shy and awkward anymore with Ryan and anyone who knows him has heard about My Friend Ryan.
Ryan, thank you for everything. For leaving it all on the diamond. For staying. For stepping into whatever role coach needed. For being a positive role model both on and off the field. And mostly, for being My Friend Ryan to a wild little Max with a head full of wicked cool red hair.
You are a complete embodiment of what the 12th Man stands for and I'm so happy we had a chance to connect with you. Gig em and let's BTHO some ducks!
