Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Dodger pitcher River Ryan reflected on his major league debut with a mix of emotions and gratitude. In a post-game interview, Ryan shared his experiences and insights about his first appearance on the mound, providing a glimpse into his journey to the big leagues.
“Being out there on that mound, it was great,” Ryan began. “There were definitely a lot of emotions, ups and downs all day, but I spent some time with the Lord earlier today and definitely prayed when I got on the mound to help calm my nerves. It was an experience for sure.”
In his debut outing against the Giants, Ryan went a solid 5.1 innings, giving up only one unearned run along the way. He pitched around some traffic, but kept his composure and showcased his elite stuff, which induced a lot of soft contact up and down the San Francisco lineup.
Ryan’s approach to the game remained consistent with what brought him success throughout his career. “I just tried to stick to the same approach that I’ve been doing all year,” he explained. “We talked to Will [Smith] before the game and got the game plan down. Just stuck to it.”
One of the most memorable aspects of the night for Ryan was having his family in the stands. “It was great. It was truly a blessing to have all of them make it out,” Ryan said, smiling. “Their support has been unbelievable throughout my entire career, starting when I was little. I’m extremely happy they were able to make it here.”
Ryan also shared his thoughts on the atmosphere at Dodger Stadium and the support from the fans. “That standing ovation as I was coming off the mound was great. The ground starts to shake a little bit when everybody gets loud. It was really fun to be a part of.”
Looking ahead, Ryan is focused on continuing to develop his skills and contribute to the team’s success. “This is just the beginning for me,” he said. “I know there’s a lot of hard work ahead, but I’m ready for it. I’m thankful for the support from the coaching staff and my teammates, and I’m excited to contribute to this team in any way I can.”
Hopefully, this particular River will keep flowing in Dodger blue for years to come.
