Cardinal Baseball Pitcher visits Bad Boy Mowers

Right-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Ryan Franklin, visited Bad Boy, Inc. on October 16.  He with his family, wife Angie, son Logan, daughters Teagen and Kaylin, toured Bad Boy’s facilities while visiting Arkansas on fall break. 

Ryan was born in Fort Smith, AR, but was raised in Oklahoma.  He graduated high school in 1991 from Spiro High School in Spiro, OK where he was All-State in baseball.  Ryan attended Seminole Junior College in Seminole, OK.  He was drafted in the 23^rd round by the Seattle Mariners after the 1992 collegiate season, but returned to school to pitch before signing in 1993.  In 1993 Ryan was named Junior College All-American.

Ryan played for the Seattle Mariners from 1993-2006 when he was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies.  Later that year he traded to the Cincinnati Reds.  In 2007 Ryan signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Ryan was also a member of the 2000 Olympic gold medal winning U.S. baseball team.  He had a 3-0 pitching record in 4 appearances, tying the Team USA Olympic record.

2008 was Ryan’s 8^th MLB season.  His ERA (earned run average) is 3.55.