For ex-Heights standout Finan, steps lead to success

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Sep 6, 2004 by Capital-Journal

KURT

CAYWOOD

Ryan Finan figures the room at the Bluefield, W.Va., Knights Inn where he lived this summer cost the Baltimore Orioles organization all of about 30 bucks a night.

"I don't know if we have (a motel) that's that bad in Topeka," he said. "You could see through the towels, they were so old."

He said the bus rides really were a lot like what you see in the movies, except with more sporadic air conditioning.

"But our trips weren't so long," he said. "The longest was four hours."

If it sounds like Finan is patient, it's because he is. If it sounds like his priorities are straight, it's because they are. If it sounds like he lived a baseball dream, it's because he did.

Ryan Finan had a truly big-time minor-league summer, the latest step in what has become a thoughtfully engineered career.

Finan was a three-sport standout at Shawnee Heights and, like most young players, survived and excelled through most of high school on his athletic ability. He was a junior when he decided that baseball was the sport he would pursue into college and that it would take more than talent.

The first step was joining the Parkville, Mo., Sluggers, an organization put together by former KU coach Dave Bingham, a man known in baseball circles for his knowledge of the game and his no- nonsense approach to it.

"He makes a man out of you," Finan said.

Out of Heights, he chose Hutchinson Community College for the chance to get away from home --- but not too far away --- and to play every day.

Next, heeding an area scout's advice to move south and play year- round, he passed on KU, Kansas State and Missouri, and spent two years at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. There, he moved from third base to first and improved his speed, power and range.

"I was able to concentrate on baseball and school," he said. "There weren't really any distractions."

He was 21 hours shy of a business management degree when last June's free agent draft rolled around. The Orioles surprised him by taking him in the 21st round and, within weeks, he was in Bluefield with their rookie league affiliate.

Finan knew he had decent numbers, that his .333 batting average led the team. He knew he had hit three homers and a half-dozen doubles in the two weeks before knee surgery ended his season a month early.

He had no idea until it was announced, however, that he had impressed the Appalachian League enough to earn a spot on the All- Star team.

"It just kinda all came together this summer," he said.

He figures his businesslike approach is the best way to keep it together. On the advice of coaches, he's back at Lamar on an academic scholarship, chipping away at his degree and rehabbing his knee.

His short-term goal is long-season Class A ball next summer. His overall goal? What do you think?

"It is far away, but it's not," he said of the big leagues. "This is just a game of being consistent."

Kurt Caywood can be reached at (785) 295-1288 or kurt.caywood@cjonline.com.