Ryan Speier

Ryan Andrew Speier

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 7", Weight 200 lb.
• School Radford University
• High School West Springfield (VA) High School
• Debut April 4, 2005
• Final Game April 18, 2009
• Born July 24, 1979 in Frankfort, KY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Ryan Speier was undrafted out of college, but starred in the Cape Cod League and got scouts' attention. He was signed by scout Jay Matthews for the Colorado Rockies for a $10,000 bonus. He set a Tulsa Drillers franchise record with 37 saves in 2004.

In 2007, Speier became the first pitcher to save a postseason game before saving, or starting, a regular-season game (That's since the save statistic became official, and possibly ever). He recorded his save in Game 2 of the NLCS. That same season, he had set a Pacific Coast League record with 33 saves for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

Speier signed with the Rakuten Golden Eagles for 2011. On April 12th, Opening Day, he debuted in Japan in Rakuten's emotional first game since the major earthquake and tsunami had wreaked havoc on the country. He relieved Hisashi Iwakuma in the 9th and retired both batters he faced to save a 6-4 win over the Chiba Lotte Marines.