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

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.

“On a personal note, my appreciation for Mike runs deep as he quite successfully caught our ceremonial first ball at the first game in Veterans Stadium history. Off the field, he was tough as nails and a very

loyal man to the Phillies organization. On behalf of the Phillies family, we send our condolences to his wife, Suzanne, and all of Irish’s many family members and friends.”

Giles’ catch reference

was to opening day in 1971, when Ryan caught the ceremonial first ball that was dropped by a helicopter above the Vet. Imagine the reaction had he failed. Ryan repeated the act in 1981 and 1995 and a modified version

in 1991.

Ryan spent 16 years as a bullpen coach with the Phillies ending in 1995. He was part of the 1980 World Series team and National League pennant winners in 1983 and 1993. He’s the

only guy in Phillies history to coach in three World Series and is the second-longest tenured coach in franchise history. Only the late John Vukovich, who spent 17 years with the Phillies, had been around longer.