cat out of the bag

RZ1,....you, your son, and your previous soapy-sappy-whatever attitudes ( ha! ) have my respect and admiration!

Have a greeeeeat season!!!!!!!!! What a ride,....what a ride!!

Thanks for letting us at the HSBBW sit next to ya!

rz,

You are a class guy!

I still think they should be hitting with wood at all levels.

We will be pulling for Ryan.

rz - that is great news. Congrats to Ryan!!!

.

Well done rz2...!

and...

Well done rz1...!

quote:

rz1 is off the sappy soap box and will resume all previous attitudes

Good thing. Had us all worried!

44
.

I'll add a big pat on the back for Ryan too
well deserved as that rehab work is a bi***

quote:

by RZ: While it wasn't an "eye-opening" performance

gee, ya might want to cut your kid a little slack there ...
those guys on the other team are supposed to be kinda good (some have said anyway ) -
tho that's why the game is played on the field, as it should be

good luck on the season

bee>

RZ I so happy for you. As a dad myself of a player, we must admit that it is IMPORTANT to us because it is so IMPORTANT to them. I know you had alot of emotions seeing him on that mound. I know there was a tremendous amount of pride in your son. Congratulations RZ and the same to your boy!

RZ - were those tears or alergies. It is amazing how when one of my kids overcomes an obsticle that my alergies kick in and my eyes tear....thats my story and Im sticking with it.

RZ1,
I'm glad you let it out. I was so happy for you and for Ryan. All his hard work will really begin to show now. I had fun following him yesterday and that's just the start...

That's great news, congratulations!

Dedication and hard work pays off again.

Don't be so modest RZ. Any start after TJ is a big deal, especially the first one. And considering the fact that 1 year ago, I could throw harder than Ryan with my left hand, his first outing versus an ACC opponent was awesome. Great job Ryan and Ryan's dad.

Congrats to your son.

rz1...
...Awesome news. 11 months? He must have busted his hump on the rehab. Hopefully he will avoid the wild performance swings that sometimes occur with the return.

Congrats to Ryan.
Many more in the future.
EH

A few HSBBW friends have been privy to my thoughts and I don't want this post and pics to come off the wrong way because it is the very last thing I would do. I'm not going here in a boasting manner, rather as an example to parents, players, and coaches that injuries do not put you on the curb for a year, it only temporarally changes your coarse, and maybe even redefines your committment to the game.

Ryan had TJ surgery 3/21/06 and was back on the mound 2/17/07 These pics below I think demonstrates that the year does not have to be spent feeling sorry for yourself or thinking that "devine intervention" alone will bring you back to action. What is also a wivestale is that players come back stronger because of a surgery, you come back stronger because you dedicate yourself to the rehabilitation. This is not only a TJ story, but heads-up to injuries that can occur in any sport, or even in everyday life. Maybe when looking at these pics you will not see the whole physical change, but the proof is in the eyes.

This may be a little off target for this post but I thought it was a great example of dedication that we as parents cannot push, but we have to support. At first I wondered if his drive would be in vain, but when it was all over I knew that regardless of the baseball outcome it will be an experience of intestinal fortitude that Ryan will carry through life.

btw- I hope Ryan does not see this because if he ever got his hands on me.......

taken 9/05 before injury

taken 9/06 after rehab

Holy SMOKES!

That looks like a completely different player. Well done.

I watched Ryan pitch yesterday via online video, and my first thought upon signing up and seeing him on the mound (game had already started) was, "Whoah, that kid would be scary to face!". 6'5" and SOL-LID!


He looked very comfortable and poised and it was amazing to see him throwing like that, 11 months after surgery. I think Ryan will be my adopted RHP this season (northern boy) since my own is out with an injury!


Julie

That is great news rz. Thanks for sharing and I hope he has many more stellar performances.

rz
great news and a very good post. i'm very happy for both of you its been a long road. but now it gets fun again. congrats ryan

Congrats to your son. I am glad to hear yours is back on the horse. Hope he becomes better than ever.

rz1-

Thanks for sharing this exciting and excellent news!

Congratulations to Ryan!

What a stud!

Hooray! What a relief! Superb news!

rz1,

Congrats to Ryan and the Zink family! Great come back! The mental side of climbing on the bump for the first time after an injury, let alone TJ, can be the biggest hurtle. Watched the whole game… HE DONE GOOD DAD… good for Ryan! He is a fine example to all playing the game. The life of a parent of a pitcher is nerve racking and emotional to say the least… we should start our own support group. Injury is always the biggest fear.

Well Done Ryan!

RZ,

I echo the sentiments of all here. Awesome news! I always knew Ryan was a special kid, and I'm not talking about his baseball ability (which is special as well).

He's got what scouts like to call ++ makeup. It'll take him a long way in life no matter what he ends up doing.

Can't wait to get down and see him this spring.

Take Care,
AS