Ryan, who made first big catch at the Vet, dies at 78

Phillies veteran pinch-hitter and backup catcher Mike “Irish” Ryan, who made one of the most understated catches in the history of Veterans Stadium, has passed away. He was 78.

Ryan played for the Red Sox (1964-67), Phillies (1968-73) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1974) in an 11-year Major League Baseball career, producing a stellar .991 fielding percentage in 632 career games with 570 starts.

In six seasons with the Phillies, Ryan batted .190 with 41 doubles, six triples, 21 home runs and 91 RBIs in 392 games. In 1969, he established career-highs with 133 games, 12 home runs and 44 RBIs.

“Mike Ryan is one of the more underrated people in Phillies history,” Phillies Chairman Emeritus Bill Giles said in a statement. “His tenure was marked by three World Series appearances and he was a very popular presence in our clubhouse for many years.