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Live Chat With Rays Reliever Ryan Thompson
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Ryan Thompson
5:59
What's up, I hope this is working correctly as I am technologically challenged sometimes!
Guest
6:04
Hey Ryan I’m your biggest fan, what’s your favorite food spot in town?!
Ryan Thompson
6:05
Can't give away all the secret spots, but waffle house hits the mark ten times out of ten
Ben
6:05
Do you like the changes the MLB made to the game, such as the pitch time, or do you think it should still be the same.
Ryan Thompson
6:06
Great question. I do like the idea behind some of the changes and one of the biggest challenges in the MLB for me finding a consistent sleep schedule so the pitch clock will be nice to be home at 10pm every night, but I do feel its too fast.
6:07
15 seconds and 8 seconds for hitters is too fast. In what other sport are the players rushed to perform?
Champa Bay Rays
6:08
Rays taking the East this year right?
Ryan Thompson
6:09
100%. Our camaraderie this year has already taken off in comparison to last year. Reminds me a lot of the unity we had in 2020
Guest
6:09
How do you feel, in game, when called upon in high leverage situations
Ryan Thompson
6:10
I call the bullpen the anxiety box. Leading up to that phone call ringing in tense, but once you run on the field the adrenaline and focus takes over completely.
Awesome questions btw!
Brenden
6:10
Are you an autograph guy? Do fans ask for your autograph?
Ryan Thompson
6:12
I grew up as an "autograph hunter" so I have a real soft spot for kids wanting autographs. But because I am familiar with the process, there is a real right way and wrong way to go about it
6:13
Hint- call players by their first name. Never hey you, or yell out hey 81
Sims S
6:13
If you could steal a pitch from someone else in the league, what would you choose?
Ryan Thompson
6:14
There are so many id love to have, but there is something primal about blowing a heater by somebody and I have yet to see someone more dominant with the fastball than 2020 Nick Anderson. I want that pitch.
Guest
6:14
What was your favorite moment to play in?
Ryan Thompson
6:16
In my life, it was in college against my rival Liberty in a 13 inning game where I pitched the final 5 innings and made an amazing play in the 12th to save the game. In the show, in 2021 I relieved Cody Reed with bases juiced against NYY and got the double play to keep the lead. The energy in the dugout was unmatched. Bailing out your teammates are the moments that bring out the most passion.
NY
6:16
What would be your go to jersey number beside the one you where now?
Ryan Thompson
6:16
27 was always my favorite
BC
6:16
Fav park to play in on the road
Ryan Thompson
6:17
I absolutely love the Texas Rangers new park. Only park I really feel in awe being in
Nick Lobraico
6:17
Do you like having a couple other righty sidearmers in camp?
Ryan Thompson
6:18
Sidearmers are a fraternity in this game. It's awesome to mentor some of those guys and to learn from them as well.
Andrew
6:18
Thanks for doing this! Have you always thrown from that angle and how hard is it to perfect your mechanics?
Ryan Thompson
6:19
I taught myself when I was a kid mimicking Byung-Hyung Kim, but didn't do it in a game until I was 16. I never looked back. Throwing like I do, I think you always have to be willing to adapt. I want to be the best I can be and sometimes falling in love with a slot or mechanic can lower your ceiling
Samuel
6:20
Hey Ryan, thanks for taking the time! The Rays are incredible at developing pitchers and I wanted to know what the transition was like from the Astros to the Rays in terms of your pitching progress
Ryan Thompson
6:21
Astros are great at development as well, but the biggest change was that the Astros were trying to make me be who they envisioned me to be and their analytics department projected what I would have to do to be successful. The Rays wanted me to be the best version of myself and that gave me a lot of freedom to show the world what I was capable of
Fred
6:21
Do you think the minor league talent having to go to foreign leagues is a sign MLB is ready for expansion? It seems like a lot of guys have to get there shot in Japan because they don’t get a long leash in MLB
Ryan Thompson
6:22
I think expansion is a must. But I have heard that the Rays and A's got to have their situation figured out before the expansion is possible.
Cheryl
6:22
Your comments after arbitration suggested you have a lot of respect for the Rays front office and how they work with the players. Can you elaborate on that? How is the relationship between players and the front office?
Ryan Thompson
6:23
I can't really comment on other orgs because this is the only MLB team i've been with, but the front office is extremely personable and have made an effort to become available for conversation, question, concerns, etc. There is a lot of trust there.
Guest
6:23
As a pitcher, do you like the universal DH? Do you sometimes wish that you could hit?
Ryan Thompson
6:24
I was never a good hitter so although I'd love to say I did it and I am jealous of those who have, I'm ok with saving myself the embarassment haha
Donald
6:24
Do people talk trash about you in every visiting city? What are some things they say?
Ryan Thompson
6:26
Not every city. Fanbases vary greatly. Yankees and Dodgers fans are ruthless but Angels and Mets fans are respectful. We love all fans though, and have fun with the ruthless fans all the same.
Uncle Cubensis
6:27
What’s the atmosphere like watching the game from the bullpen? Is it the same as the dugout?
Ryan Thompson
6:28
It is very different. The dugout is way more engaged and has a much higher energy. In the bullpen we try to stay as relaxed as possible. Always prepped to pitch is mentally exhausting. Over time you learn when to zone out and when to lock in.
Guest
6:29
You see Wander Franco play everyday when healthy, what makes him so good coming from a teammate?
Ryan Thompson
6:29
There aren't any holes in his game and he has the tools to take over a game in any given moment.
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