Ex-closer in the fairway

"This is my first Masters," he told me, as he watched Woods’s group walk by. "Usually I don’t have a lot of free time this time of year."

Ryan dazzled in 2006, his first season with the Blue Jays after inking the five-year, US$47-million deal. His ERA was a solid 1.37 and he converted on 38 of 42 save opportunities.
In May of 2007, Ryan had season-ending Tommy John surgery on his left elbow and he was never the same. His ERA more than doubled to 2.95 in 2008 and in the first couple of months of last year he rarely was given an opportunity to close the door. By the time he was told his services were no longer wanted, his line in 2009: 1-1, 6.53 ERA, 2-for-4 on save opportunities.
Then Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi was blunt in his assessment why: "The player we evaluated to sign to the player we have now, it’s two totally different guys. And we just don’t think he’s going to be the pitcher he was when we signed him."
Ryan, nine months later, seemed stung by the move and still maintains he was blindsided by the release.
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Just when you thought nothing could stun you like the beauty of Amen Corner, Friday, after watching Tiger, K.J. Choi and Matt Kutchar blast tee shots on the par-5 13th to come out of that historic area at Augusta National, who was standing under a tree along the fairway having a cold beer with a buddy?
Still under payroll by the Blue Jays, who flat cut him just before the all-star break last season with a year-and-a-half left on his rich contract, the once dominant closer -- and a serious golf fan -- finds himself in the most unlikely position he could imagine at this point in a career that may very well be over.
"It was a stinker," he said. "Just unbelievable. I was in as good a shape as ever coming into camp and I really wanted to prove coming off Tommy John that I could perform. Then… Then that."
Ryan’s release drew a line in the sand with then pitching coach Brad Arnsberg, now in Houston in the same role, and manager Cito Gaston. Ryan was reluctant to take other swipes at his former club, other than he laments the fact that the franchise didn’t win more ball games -- 86 being the most victories in his time there.
"If another opportunity pops up, great," said Ryan. "I’m trying to stay and shape and see what may happen. You never know what may happen if you’re healthy."
So is he? Recovering from an elbow procedure in the throwing arm is never easy and there is the sentiment, on top of the fact that he is now 34, that the Tommy John procedure was the beginning of the end of his career.
"You ask yourself the same question," he acknowledged. "I knew the first year coming back from Tommy John was going to be tough, but I thought things would be okay and they weren’t.
"I miss the game, man. I really do. I still think I can help a team and hopefully the opportunity still arises."
Ryan makes his home in Texas, outside of Dallas, close to Vernon Wells in Arlington. He said he is in touch with the slugger and a few others, "but I’ve tried to stay away. What happened last year was a bad situation for a lot of people."
He says he’s ecstatic for his pal, Roy Halladay ("Doc is my main man") and that the chance to win will further fuel the Phillies ace.
"It’s a good place for him. I told him ‘I know you can’t hit’ and then what does he do? Man. I sent him a text after (opening day) and all I said was ‘c’mon dude -- a knock and an RBI? Really?’"
Ryan, a big golf fan, was one of hundreds following Woods Friday.
"Really, I’m just trying to do some things I’ve never had the opportunity to do and enjoy them," he said. "Look around here, isn’t this amazing? I love watching these guys play. Tiger is my guy. To see him play this venue, this course, and see a guy play at the top of his sport is real cool."
A week later he signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago Cubs but has done nothing in the bigs. He told me Friday afternoon that he worked out for some different major league clubs, but that was it. Ryan said in February he wasn’t ready for spring training, but wouldn’t elaborate if when pressed what he meant by that.
His only shot at the 2010 World Cup Jerseys Blue Jays organization: "You know you didn’t do anything to put yourself in that position (to be released)."