Minor League Baseball Player Blog

quote:

Originally posted by Tusk:
I am currently in AAA with the Washington Nationals and although I am older (26) I am still chasing my dream down everyday. I started a blog about 6 months ago to try and give people a first hand experience of not only my journey of making it but what its really like behind the scenes, what we as the players feel emotionally, what we go through physically and how we cope with things on a day to day basis. I have had a lot of ups and down in my career, and it has winded a lot but I am still focused on that ultimate goal.

I would love it if you would give it a read, and if you like possibly suggest some topics you would like to hear about.

Thanks so much

Ryan Tatusko

The blog address is: http://www.ryantatusko.wordpress.com

I know who you are! Welcome! You played in 2010 for Frisco, in the TL, my son played in the TL for Springfield when you were there. I also believe that you were teammates with one of our websters sons this year!

My son will be 26 (this month) and has had some setbacks, but that is just the way it is, for many.

Never stop working hard at achieving your goal!

I look forward to reading your blog, best of luck to you in winterball!

I want to say "thank you."

You write with passion and insight and your blog (every entry) is a must read - for parents and players.

Keep up the writings. I look forward to reading about your winter experience!

Ryan,

Here is a very good looking high school pitcher.

Ryan Profile

I really enjoy looking back at old reports. I like the report we did, but we sure missed on the grade!

Best of luck

@TPM Yes I did play in frisco, I loved it there, I will be 27 this year and I understand the time factor, but I know your son will agree that it will all be worth it if you just get 1 batter in the big leagues Springfield is a great town, I really enjoyed the atmosphere there and cards sure are passionate about their players!! I wish your son all the best and hopefully we will be able to meet in Nats park or at Busch sometime

@Goosegg thank you so much for the kind words, I love writing and trying to give an insight to the players and general public about the life we are living. Sometimes you just see the "chosen few" that are rocketed to the big leagues but there are a majority of us who take a little time to progress and get up there but there is always a goal! I truly appreciate you reading the blog and I hope you keep coming back.

@PGStaff Not a bad looking kid I love the report that you guys did too, but you were right with the diagnostic as I wound up having TJ when I was a Sr due to my bad mechanics. Thankfully I got straightened out because of it, and grew into my frame. I still remember being in Iowa doing the showcase, you guys were a first class organization then and still today there is no-one better evaluating talent. You guys are the best.

On that note, I have updated my blog about looking back at my 2011 season and my hopes for 2012.

Thanks for reading guys!

http://www.ryantatusko.wordpress.com

Ryan- Thanks for sharing your blog. I am particularly fond of your post about getting a baseball from the bullpen during a game...I've shared similar experiences in the past, it is pretty funny at times

@J H it was really funny when it happened, it was one of those things that made you scratch your head and wonder?

We would tell kids to go get us a hot dog if they wanted a ball, and a soda on top of it if they wanted us to sign it. We'd get some decent meals out of it until angry parents would make their way over to the pen with empty wallets.

It seems like they expect the position players to be openly handing out game-used bats in the dugout as well. I've heard quite a few "Hey do you have any bats?" "Yes..." "Can I get one?"

I love reading blogs of the players, I am learning a lot from them and enjoy the perspective.

I hope that others are doing the same and appreciate the passion that is exhibited, whether it be inspired from a major injury of a college pitcher or a young man finding his role in professional ball, I love it!

I also can relate, as son moved from starter to bullpen this year, sent to Arizona to work things out.

quote:

Originally posted by PGStaff:
Ryan,

Here is a very good looking high school pitcher.

Ryan Profile

I really enjoy looking back at old reports. I like the report we did, but we sure missed on the grade!

Best of luck

I noticed the grade too. If a 10 doesn't make it in pro ball, it is no big deal. A pro career is a long shot most of the time. When a guy makes it with lower grade, its unusual and notable. There aren't many you guys miss.

@Dad04 I have always loved being the underdog. I didn't go to a Big D1 college (my teammates went too UCLA and Auburn). I wasn't drafted very high (18th round) and I am kind of old (26) yet everyday I love knowing that I am the underdog and I am not supposed to make it, I know that I have never been considered the "prospect" in an organization but there is something my father told me when I was very young that I still stick too and write in all my hats to this day and it was.

When you stop working somebody, somewhere is trying to take your spot so never stop working.

I've lived by this motto and hope one day to carry it into the big leagues!

Tusk, I say keep keeping on. You've got a jersey. As long as you still have a jersey you still have a chance. Best of luck.

John

Tusk,

I'm rooting for you! With your attitude and work ethic you will be an asset to any team wise enough to see the man who is still chasing the dream. A large part of success is the resolve to do your very best along with a burning passion for the task at hand! Good luck and I will be following you!

Tusk,

I enjoyed your blog very much. It was comical to hear some of the different ways fans try to pry baseballs out of you guys. I really want to wish you luck as I feel things are really looking up in the near future for the Nationals and I hope you will be part of it. Keep chasing your dream and I will be keeping up with your reports!

I got my first blog post up about being down here in Venezuela playing baseball entitles "Its more than a game." I'd love it if you would check it out and spread the word! Thanks

http://www.ryantatusko.wordpress.com

@Three Bagger its always interesting ways people try and come up with to get a ball lol.

@carol thank you for rooting for me! My road has definitely been a little more windy than others, but all that matters is the destination.

I was privileged to be featured on my first baseball card in the "2011 Bowman Chrome" series and I recently updated my blog about what that experience was like. I would love it if you could give it a look and a comment about what you would be interested in hearing about.

Thanks so much
Ryan

http://www.ryantatusko.wordpress.com

quote:

Originally posted by Tusk:
I was privileged to be featured on my first baseball card in the "2011 Bowman Chrome" series and I recently updated my blog about what that experience was like. I would love it if you could give it a look and a comment about what you would be interested in hearing about.

Thanks so much
Ryan

http://www.ryantatusko.wordpress.com

Ryan,

I was wondering at what age will you consider yourself to old to "make it" in the big leagues?

I personally don't consider 26 too old and this question is in no way to demean your efforts.

Regards,

I honestly think if you still have a passion for the game, and still have a chance to make it there are no age limits. You hear people of making it for the first time when they are 30+ years old. I think that anytime you have a chance to live your dream you should pursue it, no matter the age!

I am currently playing baseball in Venezuela, I have updated my blog about how baseball is down here and the differences/similarities with baseball in the states. I have also included some amateur video's I shot

I hope you would give it a look.

Thanks
Ryan

http://www.ryantatusko.wordpress.com

Posted a few new blog topics about the safety and security in Venezuela playing down here and some of the barriers that we face being down here with food, language, and how you get thru them!

Thanks for reading guys!

http://www.ryantatusko.wordpress.com

Good to know you guys have pretty good security where you're at. Interesting reading about the food and language challenges.

Tusk, good posts on your blog. Glad you stick with the game, at least you still have a chance by being drafted. Son won't get that chance, not a pitcher and as we all know pitchers are in high demand. Keep up the informative posts, I really like hearing about other countries customs, people, etc.

Thanks Tusk.

Great posts about security and the food Tusk. It sounds like you really lucked out playing for Margarita Island.

Best of luck to you down there and in your career.

Article on Tusk at minor league baseball:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball...=.jsp&vkey=news_milb

Tusk - if you would like to be on our hsbbweb radio program, please let us know and we will schedule you - thanks CD!

If you haven't read Tusk's blog, I urge you to do so. Interesting and different look at the often not so glamorous life as a minor leaguer, that still has it's exotic side too in the foreign winter leagues.