Catching Up With Ryan Sienko
Published on January 15, 2010 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
Ryan Sienko is one of the most beloved JackHammer players in the team's nine-year history. He spent two seasons with the Orange Crush in the clubs early years. Sienko led the JackHammers to their first and only playoff appearance but never made it to that series. He was signed by the Chicago White Sox before the end of the 2002, inaugural season and was shipped out to Winston Salem, NC to play for the White Sox High "A" affiliate.
Sienko was chosen by the White Sox after an amazing first half of the 2002 season. He hit.329 for the season with 18 homeruns. Sienko was the first JackHammer to hit a Grand Slam at Silver Cross Field and drove in six RBIs that same game for another JackHammer first. In Winston Salem, Sienko hit another five homeruns with an average of.211.
In 2003, Sienko returned to the JackHammers and hit another 14 homeruns and averaged.216 for the season. After Joliet he played one more season of independent ball before retiring but where is he now?
What are you doing now that you have retired from playing baseball?
"Now I work with players instead of playing. I have been very fortunate to work with and teach players of all ages from little league to the Major Leagues. In my company Catch & Throw, I work with catchers on the physical, mental, nutritional, and fitness aspects of the catching position. We have developed programs and drills to match all the things that catchers do and really work hard to educate them on preparation for the physical part of the game and the mental side of the game with pitch selection and understanding hitters. In fact, I am putting on a catching camp in Braidwood at Reed-Custer High School on February 6th and 7th. It is looking like we will have a good group of catchers. A few months ago I also took over as a Varsity High School Coach at Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego. Baseball is a huge part of my life and I want nothing more than for my players to get the opportunity to play at the next level"
What do you hope to accomplish in the future?
"I am working hard to get back into professional baseball as a coach. My desire is to become a Catching Coordinator for an Major League organization, grow Catch and Throw, and travel around the world working with catchers to make the athletes as prepared as they can for the daily rigors of the catching position. Maybe someday I will make my way through Joliet again as a coach"
One final thought on your time spent in Joliet?
"The two seasons that I spend in Joliet were the best of my professional career both on the baseball side and in my personal life. The fans of the Jackhammers truly embraced me and respected what I did on the field and in the community which I really appreciated. Many of my fondest memories in my playing career happened in Joliet. All the hit by pitches I took and the walk off home runs including one in my very last at bat at Silver Cross Field. I do have two regrets though. I wish I would have finished the season in 2002 instead of signing with the White Sox in July so I could have helped in the playoffs and I wish the opportunity to play in Joliet was there for another season. My family and I try to get back to Joliet a few times a year to see the people that I developed friendships with. I am really proud that I was given the opportunity to a part of the first two years of the franchise."
Ryan will be back in the Joliet area this February and will be attending the Orange Crush Winter Warm-Up. The event will be held Monday, February 8, 2010 at The Department with a 5:10 p.m. kickoff. He will also be hosting a Catching Camp at Reed Custer High School in Braidwood on Feb 6-7. There are plenty of spots available and anyone interested can sign up at www.catchandthrow.com.
Northern League Stories from January 15, 2010
- Jim Hendry To Speak At The Department - Joliet JackHammers
- Catching Up With Ryan Sienko - Joliet JackHammers
- Reliever Aaron Cook Signs On For Third Season With RailCats - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Austin's Latest Baseball Stop - Colombia - Rockford RiverHawks
- JackHammers To Attend 2010 Cubs Convention - Joliet JackHammers
- JackHammers Award December Faith Donation - Joliet JackHammers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
