Ryans packed Target Field to cheer on the Minnesota Twins and more specifically, Twins shortstop Ryan Kreidler.


 

MINNEAPOLIS (KVRR) — Hundreds of Ryans packed Target Field on Saturday for the Ryan Baseball Classic, a collaboration between the Minnesota Twins and the Ryan Meetup organization.

As a fellow Ryan, KVRR Sports’ Ryan Bowlin joined the festivities and captured a day dedicated to celebrating one thing: being named Ryan.

The Ryan festivities began with a parade through Target Field before the game, with the group making its presence known throughout the ballpark.

For Twins shortstop Ryan Kreidler, playing in front of a crowd filled with people sharing his first name was an experience he never imagined.

“Yeah, I’m excited,” Kreidler said. “It’s funny, I never expected to be in the big leagues and play in front of a bunch of people with my name, so it’s pretty nice.”

The pregame ceremonies continued with a ceremonial first pitch from a Ryan — right down the middle, to no Ryan’s surprise — before Ryan Russell performed the national anthem.

Russell was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at age 4 and was told he might not live to see 18. Now 43 years old, Russell delivered a memorable rendition of the anthem in front of the Target Field crowd.

Then it was time for baseball.

Ryans filled designated sections of the ballpark, with plenty of attention focused on Kreidler, who started at shortstop for Minnesota.

“We have the shirts, we’re going to be wearing the shirts for BP,” Kreidler said before the game. “I mean, they’re rooting for me, so that’s good. I think if I can send them home with a happy souvenir or something, that’d be great, or a happy memory.”

Kreidler gave them one in his first at-bat.

In the bottom of the third inning, Kreidler doubled, drawing a roar from the Ryan sections. He then stole third base for his first stolen base of the season.

“I mean, magic in the air for sure, no question about it,” Kreidler said. “I think just a special vibe. You know, you can’t put your finger on it, but you can put a name on it. So I was happy to be out there.”

Kreidler continued to make an impact defensively as Minnesota went on to earn a 2-0 victory.

Afterward, Twins manager Derek Shelton had a message for the many Ryans in attendance.

“I didn’t realize that Twins Territory had about 30,000 Ryans in it, and the fact Kreidler got the first hit of the game and then stole third, I guess it’s on me that I didn’t play Jeffers, so I apologize to all the other Ryans out there,” Shelton said.

The Ryans forgive him.

Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers didn’t play in the game, but still got to experience the atmosphere surrounding the event.

“Yeah, it was a good win,” Jeffers said. “It’s fun to see all the people chanting up there, supporting Kreidler and supporting all the other Ryans. It’s pretty cool.”

Then there was Joe Ryan.

The Ryan Meetup organization technically doesn’t count people with Ryan as a surname, meaning the Twins pitcher doesn’t qualify. Joe, however, believes he has a pretty strong case.

“I’m a Ryan,” Joe Ryan said. “I would say I’m more of a Ryan than them, but it’s fine.”

The group has previously floated the idea of Joe legally changing his name to Ryan Ryan and becoming their “king.”

“I feel like I’m already their king if my last name is Ryan and I get to wear the jersey,” Joe Ryan said. “So I’m excited to see all the Ryans out here cheering on the other Ryans that are playing today.”

Should he change his mind, the Ryans will be waiting.

The baseball game was only part of Saturday’s festivities.

Before heading to Target Field, Ryans gathered at Cowboy Jack’s, named Cowboy “Ryan’s” for the day, where IDs were checked to ensure attendees met the most important requirement of the day.

Different spelling? You’re good.

Brian or Bryan? Turn around and go home — or fill out the paperwork to become a Ryan.

For Ryan Peters, who traveled from New Jersey, the meetup was about more than sharing a name.

“It means to just have fun, meet new people, and just be friendly to everybody,” Peters said.

Couldn’t have described a Ryan any better, Ryan.

Peters was one of many who traveled from across the country for the event, with attendees making the trip from places including Dallas, Atlanta, St. Louis, Kansas City and Los Angeles.

At the pregame gathering, Ryans hung out, ordered Ryan-themed drinks and met fellow members of the ever-growing Ryan community.

“I study Ryanology and, you know, Ryans rule the world, so why not come socialize with other Ryans?” said Ryan Martin, a Florida native who now lives in Minnesota.

Ryan Barrett traveled from Chicago and quickly found himself surrounded by hundreds of new friends.

“I showed up and it was like I had a thousand best friends that I never met,” Barrett said. “We all have the same style. It’s a culture. Ryan is culture.”

The day ended where it began, with Ryans gathering once again after the Twins’ victory.

Hundreds of Ryans. One Twins win. And a day that could only be described one way:

Ry-tastic.

head to ryanmeetup.com to see all future events!

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