RenoAces.com Interview with Rusty Ryal

The 2009 season will go down as perhaps the most memorable year in Rusty Ryal's career. Arizona's 14th round selection in the 2005 draft made his Triple-A debut last season, becoming a fan-favorite in Reno and earning a selection to the Triple-A All-Star Game. He put an exclamation point on his breakout season with a call-up to the Major Leagues, the first of his career.

In the first of a weekly series, we talked with Rusty about his stay in Reno, his Major League debut and his role in the community.

Reno Aces: How did you find out you'd be going to the big leagues for the first time? What was that moment like?

Rusty Ryal: The moment was relieving and exciting. When you have worked for something all your life and it finally comes true, a fulfilling relief just overtakes you. I found out while we were in Omaha from (Manager) Brett (Butler) about 12:30 in the morning

RA: Take us through how you felt during some of your Major League "firsts."

RR: I was actually fortunate to accomplish a lot of first shortly after being called-up. It think getting the first hit was probably the best first, but once you get all those "firsts" out of the way, the game slows down a little.

RA: How big of a jump was it from Triple-A to the big leagues? What was the hardest thing to get accustomed to at the Major League level?

RR: I think the biggest adjustment in the Major Leagues was getting used to the consistent talent of pitchers that are more consistent than at the Triple-A level.

RA: What was it like playing for Brett Butler last season?

RR: It was a lot like the other seasons I played under him. The man straight-up has the most passion of anyone I know for the game of baseball. I learned important stuff about life and the game itself. Anytime you get better at life and baseball in three years, there isn't much more you can ask for, right?

RA: Did you enjoy playing in Reno? What did you think about the city and the fans?

RR: Reno has by far the best support from its fan base than any team I have played for. I hope that they are not "one hit wonders," so that's why I'm challenging them to beat the attendance from last year.

RA: How has your experience been playing the outfield?

RR: I enjoy it. We shall if others agree in March (at Spring Training).

RA: Last August, you hit a line drive off the head of Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda. What was going through your head while that all transpired?

RR: It was unfortunate and you never wish that upon anyone.

RA: You were a fan favorite here in Reno and always liked to sign autographs for the fans. Why do you think it's so important to give back to the community?

RR: I think it is important to show the people who support what you're doing and appreciate your hard positive feedback. It always is fun to interact with your fans, as well.

Next week we'll talk with first baseman Brandon Allen, who came to Reno in the middle of the 2009 season and terrorized Pacific Coast League pitching enough to earn himself a call-up to the Major Leagues. You can send in your questions for Brandon by:

1. Posting to the RenoAces.com message board
2. Becoming a friend of the Reno Aces on Facebook, and posting questions on our wall
3. Submitting questions on Twitter (be sure to either address them to @Aceball, or tag them with #aceball)
4. Sending an e-mail to [email protected]