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Live Chat With Former MLB Catcher Ryan Lavarnway
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Ryan Lavarnway
10:19
I absolutely LOVE the WBC. Highlights of my career. As we saw this past week, people around the world crave that type of competition. I love the eased entry requirements for the tournament that allow countries that are not traditional powerhouses to field competitive teams. I can't wait for the next one!
Ro
10:19
I love the Instagram posts! What inspired you to start posting those videos? Enjoy retirement!
Ryan Lavarnway
10:21
I made one on Super Bowl Sunday 2022 where I put on all my old MLB uniforms and pretended I was clicking through TV channels as they changed. It went viral and people thought it was hilarious. I wasn't even trying to be funny, but people loved it. I feel like that gave me permission to show my silly side. Before that I always tried to be serious and professional, but now I feel more comfortable showing some personality
Phillies Fan
10:21
Who was your favorite player growing up?
Ryan Lavarnway
10:21
  1. Ken Griffey Jr, 2. Chipper Jones, 3. Mike Piazza, 4. Jason Veritek
Josh Prouser
10:21
Hey Ryan, really appreciate you doing this!! After all your years of playing baseball, what is the biggest lesson you’ve been able to take away from it, and how can you still apply that in a post-playing career? Also, what do you plan to do with your time now?
Ryan Lavarnway
10:23
Still trying to figure out what is next. I will stay in the game in some capacity for sure. Biggest lesson learned, be good to people and do your best. After all the teams I played for, and two repeats, you never know who you are going to run into. And people talk. The last couple years the main reason I kept getting a job was because I had a good reputation
Guards Fan
10:23
Hi Ryan,
Ryan Lavarnway
10:23
HI!
Guards Fan
10:23
Hi Ryan, big Tribe fan here.  How is is playing for Tito and what was your experience like in Cleveland?
Ryan Lavarnway
10:24
I've played for at least 10 MLB managers, and Tito is my favorite. Him and Buck Showalter stand head and shoulders above the rest. You just knew they had your back. You trust them. I appreciate the way they lead and the way they made me feel comfortable in my own skin as a player
Steve C
10:25
You must’ve seen many umpires  miss many balls & strike calls during your career behind the plate. Do you think the laser strike zone used in the minors will be an improvement?
Ryan Lavarnway
10:26
Remember when the umpires went on strike a few years ago and they tried to replace them? It was a disaster. As much as we want to say "umpires suck", we also have to recognize that they are the best in the world at what they do. That being said, I think a robot strike zone is inevitable. The technology is there. And everybody just wants the calls to be correct.
Matt
10:26
Hey Ryan! No question, just wanted to complement you on that lovely piece you wrote for the athletic yesterday. Such a great story. Congrats on your retirement!
Ryan Lavarnway
10:26
Thank you so much!
Jacob L
10:26
Hi Ryan huge fan when you were on the Red Sox.
Did you ever get a world series  ring in 2013?
Ryan Lavarnway
10:26
I did, yes! I'll be back in Boston next month for the 10-year anniversary
Jacob L
10:27
Also what was your favorite place to get food in Boston?
Ryan Lavarnway
10:28
There was a sushi spot in Brookline we went to all the time. I cant remember the name now, but it was one stop off the green line before the Courtyard Marriott I was staying at. Also after we won the Series my wife and I went to Oishi as a celebratory meal, and that place was SO good
MikeD
10:28
Ryan, congratulations on both reaching and playing in parts of 10 MLB seasons, something few people achieve. Baseball has been apart of your life since you were a kid. Do you intend to still continue in baseball now that you’ve officially retired as a player, meaning coaching?
Ryan Lavarnway
10:28
I plan to stay in the game, yes. What capacity, not 100% sure yet.
Will
10:28
What was it like participating in the WBC? Does it feel like the excitement among players has grown since you participated?
Ryan Lavarnway
10:29
The WBC is the most exciting baseball you will ever play. I would compare it to the World Series (even though I didn't get any playing time in the Series). I think each time they hold the WBC, more and more players will learn how much fun it is and it will become as big as the FIFA World Cup
ChrisC
10:29
How is it to step away from a game that you've spent your entire life developing your skillset in? How is the day-to-day no longer being a professional athlete? What is it that you miss and what do you love not having in your life anymore? Any plans/interest to stay in the game in another facet (management/scouting/front office/etc.)?
Ryan Lavarnway
10:30
It is definitely weird not having the structure of a daily routine there anymore. And I will definitely miss having a group of guys to share goals, successes and failures with. I'll stay in the game in some capacity for sure. I have a lot left to give
Bill McClure
10:30
My wife and I want to wish you a super retirement. Is "the big game" you had with the Cincinnati Reds a highlight of your career? We still remember  your and Scooter Gennetts games as major highlights of a bad rebuild.
Ryan Lavarnway
10:31
That was definitely the best game I ever played! And it was super meaningful to me because of everything I had to do to get there. Many people don't know that I had been in AAA with the Yankees that year, torn my oblique, and then released by them the day before that game!
Sox Fan
10:31
Hey Ryan, thanks for taking questions.  Big Red Sox fan here.  Of the minor league teams you played for in the Sox system, what one did you enjoy the most in terms of ball club, atmosphere, city, etc?
Ryan Lavarnway
10:32
Portland was amazing! I'm a hug foodie and that place has FOOD! I also loved Greenville, and I loved Pawtucket!
Sox Fan
10:33
While he seems like a good dude, how did Middlebrooks land Jenny Dell?
Ryan Lavarnway
10:33
Hahahaha is that a real question?
PChor77@yahoo.com
10:33
I remember you were brought up the Red Sox during the 2011 season and played during that last 6 week stretch.  How bad was that Clubhouse with the Popeye Chicken and beer during home games.  Just curious
Ryan Lavarnway
10:33
The chicken and beer scape goat was overplayed. I don't think that's really what it was
The Ghost of Nuke LaLoosh
10:34
What advice would you give to young catchers who are still pretty new to the position (age 9-12)?
Ryan Lavarnway
10:34
At that age the most important thing is to keep the ball in front of you. How many times in little league games does someone get on first and then three passed balls later they score and everyone sighs. Just have fun, and keep the ball in front!
Sox Fan
10:35
Was Papelbon as nuts as he seems?
Ryan Lavarnway
10:35
He was a character for sure. I enjoyed watching the show on and off the field!
Guest
10:35
Congratulations on retirement! What ballpark did you enjoy playing in the most?
Ryan Lavarnway
10:35
I mean Fenway and Wrigley are in a class of their own. Beyond that, I also love Cincy, Baltimore and Seattle
FriarGuy19
10:36
Thank you for joining us this morning. Manny Machado recently said that playing in the WBC was bigger for him than the World Series. Having experience with both, would you agree with that?
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