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Texas A&M Baseball
Aggie Flashback with Ryan Rupe
Notes from Ryan Rupe Interview
* Talks about where he is now ... working in natural gas industry in Houston.
* Mark Johnson and his brother made the decision to attend A&M easy. Chose A&M over LSU and Texas.
* Pitched five years at A&M ... overcame a lot of injury issues during time in Aggieland.
* Developed thoracic outlet syndrome his fourth year at A&M. Fingers would go numb by the third inning of his pitching outings. Main vein to arm from heart had a blood clot. Blood could get into arm but couldn't get out.
* Senior year went to Denver for surgery. Told he wouldn't be able to pitch anymore. In 1998 during his fifth season, his arm began to come back and continued playing.
* Could not throw a changeup. During rehab prior to senior year in 1998, worked on a changeup, which contributed to success as a senior and then being able to have a career in the big leagues.
* Highlight of 1998 was beating Baylor and winning the Big 12 on same day that he graduated. Graduating from A&M made it less stressful to go into professional baseball.
* Last player cut in his first spring training in 1999 but made big league debut one month later. First three hits given up in the big leagues were home runs.
* End of rookie year he was pitching a no hitter in the fifth in Cleveland when he threw an 85 mph fast ball. Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome returned and never reached 91 mph after that. Was a power pitcher throwing mid-90s before neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome and had to change up his pitching style.
* Pitched four more years in the big leagues after being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and. Would have three of four quality starts then give up 12 runs in the first. Hung around because he could give quality starts but numbers weren't good. Went to Japan after five years in the big leagues and really enjoyed time there.
* Excited for A&M's first baseball season in the SEC. Didn't care for the Big 12 and will not miss it at all. Excited for what is to come in the SEC.
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