#4

Ryan Sturm

Nickname: Sturmy

Bat/Throw: R/R

Birthday: 7/17

Years Playing With The Tigers: 2001-present

Position(s): IF/OF

High School/Graduation Year: Springfield High School - Class of 2002

College: THE St. Cloud State University

Family: parents: Robert (Bob) Sturm and Sharon Sturm, siblings/in-laws: Mary Hocum, Karie and Todd Belling, Randall and Paula Sturm, Ann and Dan Leshovsky, Shauna and Scott Brockmann. nieces/nephews: Brienna, Jordan, Lacey, Taylor, and Johnny Hocum. Kallie and Chris Belling. "The Killer B's" Brody, Brooklyn, and Brayden Sturm. Charlie, and Oliver Leshovsky. Jack, Ben, and Sam Brockmann.

Job: Job Application Specialist

Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: Being able to play in front of my parents, family, and friends in a ballpark where the memories are endless... and playing for my hometown team... if you can find a person that can beat that, I will introduce you to a liar.

Least Favorite Ballpark to Play In: I've said it once and I will say it again...Gibbon. The absurd ground rules from past years and I swear the fences keep moving in. It does, however, provide a very festive atmosphere because the town rallies around their team.

Most Respected Opposing Player: If "Beautiful Bobby" Fink would play for an opposing team he is selected #1 overall, all day, everyday. Unfortunately, he is not and better not. I will toss this name out there... Jesse Berg. The man somehow sneaks out of the house/hotel, avoids the booby traps his kids have set, maneuvers through the land mines his wife has strategically placed, to lace em up. In all honesty, Bergie has been a good friend of mine for a long time...even back in the days when he was torching the Tigers' secondary. He was a guy I've looked up to and was lucky enough to play with for a number of years. Good man and a heck of an athlete... just ask him... he will undoubtedly tell you the same.

Describe Your Dream Day at the Ballpark: Well I can try to be brief, there are a lot of people that could be included in this one. How about... a nice 84 degree day with the wind blowing out to right center. Family and friends in the stands and the Tigers win. A few ballpark legends are also in attendance... Stan Amsden, Midge Saffert, and Norm Wilson to give some advice. Toss in a couple of Stark Burgers and some good convo... I think that's a pretty good day at the ballpark. Oh yeah... and an impromptu drop in from Rachel McAdams to say hello to me... that wouldn't hurt either.

What Makes Marty Most Mad? If this was sent to me a week ago, I would tell you that Marty doesn't get mad... he gets even. Then we had a practice where there was a foul line seeking fly ball that Marty tracked better than Chris Sturm taking a "Hot Lap". I'm telling you... if you were to read a book on how to approach a chalk seeking ball... you would have seen Marty track this thing.
   As it was hit, I casually take my time getting out of his way because first off, I am astounded that Davis hit a fly ball during a fly ball drill. Secondly, I didn't know the closing speed that I was about to encounter. I kid you not, I look up and see the ball being hit, and Davis obviously enjoying it more than anyone in the tri-county area, and Marty is already on top of me.
   Then, the unthinkable happened. As I move out of Marty's way, he breaks stride... then recovers and with an act of God himself... he is back on the ball. Majestically striding towards destiny aka catching this ball. I swear I heard Chariots of Fire (for those of you who are wondering what song I am talking about the link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEF4zH6XHCk) playing as he was running slow motion towards the ball. I have to admit, I was inspired and felt like I was in this moment for all the right reasons.
   Then without a shadow of a doubt, I saw what I would describe as paranormal activity happen right in front of my very own eyes. This ball, this cursed ball, was taken from Marty's glove and spiked to the ground with reckless abandon like I had never seen before. I thought to myself, "that catch is what all dreams are made of". There were people in the stands waiting on getting the movie rights for this act of glory. Then, in the blink of an eye, all hopes for the dream were dashed as the ball worked its way out and tumbled to the ground.
   I still blame myself, just thinking there is something I could have done. Perhaps I move faster? Perhaps I hold my breath? Maybe the grass could have been shorter? Maybe the ball not water logged? Perhaps I imagine a different song playing? I just keep thinking to myself, "there is no way he drops that ball". Say Davis has 50 balls, of which say 4 are actually fly balls, he catches all 4 clean. This one ball, this one cursed ball, off of the bat of the Joe Mauer of fly ball hitting, met it's maker and somehow wiggled it's way out.
   Then, long story short, Marty absolutely lost it, a freak out that will haunt me to the grave. The man went nuts. He explained after the fact that, "It was a good time to get that temper tantrum out of the way". God bless you Marty.

Number of Times During the Season Davis Will Put Nocky in to Pitch With Little or No Warmup Time: 6

Most Memorable Excuses for Missing Game or Being Late:
"It looked like rain over that way so I didn't think we would have a game". Frank
"My red tank top was in the dryer". "Beautiful Bobby" Fink
"It's 96 degrees outside...there is no way I am stepping on a baseball field". Brent Lang

Parting Thoughts: Mel Blanc, who played the voice of Bugs Bunny, was allergic to carrots. I am also quite certain that if this man had seen Schwab's latest display of fashion sense he may have developed some sort of sickness. You know when that little voice is telling you, "you know, this shirt probably looks good on someone, somewhere"... that person probably isn't you. I'd like to say that you're better than that. Now, I simply don't know anymore. Figure it out.