One of many unseen strikes
Ryan Franklin’s long journey to the big leagues kept him true to his Oklahoma roots
He is an Olympic baseball gold medalist, who tied an Olympic record for most wins, going 3-0 in 4 starts. He was apart of the 2001 MLB record-setting Seattle Mariners, who won 116 games, the most in a single season. If you don’t know who this person is, then you’re not alone. Most Oklahomans are unaware that a Major League pitcher lives in small Shawnee, OK.
Franklin with Seattle
Franklin is one of many unknown professional baseball players who had something to prove early in his career. For Franklin, the journey to the majors was long and filled with constant obstacles.
Prior to the 1992 draft, where Franklin, the 6-foot-3-inch prospect out of Seminole, was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 23rd round, the majors seemed a distant dream, Franklin said.
Playing at Seminole State College, Franklin considered himself a “late-bloomer,” who didn’t start finding success until later in his baseball career.
“Seminole is where I came into my own and built a good work ethic,” Franklin said.
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher and Franklin’s teammate Russ Springer said Franklin is a determined player and family man.
“He works as hard as any member of our team,” Springer said.
After Seminole State came the long and arduous journey through the minor leagues. It was hard to keep going, unsure if he would ever get the call-up to the majors, Franklin said.
Like many players, Franklin was stuck in the minors until he proved himself ready for the big leagues. Franklin played in the minor league for six years, which he said is a little longer than usual for a player who makes it to the professional level. While in the minors, Franklin said he made only $850 per month and had to work other jobs to support himself.
Franklin with St. Louis
Franklin made more money playing AA winter baseball in Puerto Rico and Venezuela for the ’97 and ’98 seasons, he said.
Then, on May 15, 1999, Franklin received the call he had been waiting for, he said. His minor league coach told him he was going to be playing in Seattle that night for the Seattle Mariners.
Since then, Franklin has been a pitcher in the major leagues, constantly on the move, playing for 4 different teams in 8 years. But the highlight of Franklin’s career was playing for the U.S. Olympic baseball team and winning a gold medal.
“The whole experience seemed like a blur because it was so awesome,” Franklin said. “I never thought I would be able to serve my country in my profession.”
Franklin who began his career as a relief pitcher, worked his way up to become a starter, he said. Recently, Franklin’s job has changed from a starter to a set-up man, coming on in relief for the starting pitchers. Franklin said the switch was made due to the needs of the team he is with.
“It’s fine with me. I can either pitch lots of innings or lots of games,” Franklin said.
Springer said that Franklin embraced the change from starter to reliever. Many pitchers can’t do that, he said.
Although his role has changed, Franklin said he loves playing in St. Louis. In fact, the two players Franklin said he has most enjoyed playing with are Russ Springer and Joel Pinero, both pitchers for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Joel Pinero, Franklin’s teammate, who has played with Franklin for only one season, said Franklin and he are good friends on and off the field.
Franklin with Philadelphia
“Us in the bullpen are closer than the rest of the team,” Pinero said.
Franklin may be close with his bullpen, but he is even closer with his family and his seemingly simple life in Oklahoma, he said. Growing up in Spiro, OK, made Franklin accustomed to small town life, he said. Now he lives in Shawnee, OK, with his family.
“Oklahoma is where I grew up,” Franklin said. “Shawnee is a good town to raise a family.”
Franklin said he might never be known like legends such as Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron, but as long as he can play the game he loves and provide for his family, that is just fine with him.
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