Ryan Theriot

Infobox MLB player
name = Ryan Theriot


width = 300
caption = Theriot warms up before a game
team = Chicago Cubs
number = 2
position = Shortstop
birthdate = birth date and age|1979|12|7
birthplace = city-state|Baton Rouge|Louisiana
bats = Right
throws = Right
debutdate = September 13
debutyear = 2005
debutteam = Chicago Cubs
statyear = September 30, 2008
stat1label = Batting average
stat1value = .290
stat2label = Home runs
stat2value = 7
stat3label = Runs batted in
stat3value = 99
teams =
*Chicago Cubs (by|2005-present)

Ryan Stewart Theriot (pronEng|ˈtɛrioʊ) (born December 7, 1979 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana" [http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=444135 Player File - Ryan Theriot] ", Major League Baseball.] ) is a Major League Baseball infielder for the Chicago Cubs.

College career

After playing for Broadmoor High School in Baton Rouge, he played college baseball at Louisiana State University, and was named to the College World Series all-tournament team in 2000. On June 12, 2000, Theriot broke up a no-hitter that was being thrown by his future teammate, Mark Prior, then pitching for Southern Cal. A shortstop in college," [http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27867&SPID=2173&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=174177&Q_SEASON=2000 Ryan Theriot Bio] ", LSUSports.net, May 30, 2006.] Theriot was converted to second base for his major league debut, but primarily played shortstop throughout the 2007 season, and has been the every-day shortstop for the Cubs for the 2008 season." [http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/theriry01.shtml Ryan Theriot Statistics] ", Baseball-Reference.com.] Theriot has also played third base, right field, and left field.

Professional career

Theriot made his Major League Baseball debut on September 13, 2005, as a pinch hitter against the Cincinnati Reds, and gained his first hit the following day against Brian ShackelfordRyan Theriot Bio, 2007 Chicago Cubs Media Guide, page 157.] . In 2006 he split time between the Iowa Cubs and the major league team, hitting .328 in 53 games with the Chicago team.

In 2007, Theriot made the opening day roster as a utility player. However, the early season struggles of Cesar Izturis lead to Theriot getting more starts. When Izturis was traded in July, Theriot became the everyday shortstop. Also in 2007, Theriot was reunited with his former collegiate teammate Mike Fontenot. [LSU Athletics, [http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=923819 Theriot, Fontenot Reunite in Cubs Infield] (June 12, 2007), LSUsports.net, Retrieved on July 28, 2007.] Theriot and Fontenot made up the double play combination for the 2000 National Champion LSU Tigers.

Theriot was very versatile throughout the 2007 season; playing multiple positions defensively, and hitting all over the batting order. Despite impressive numbers from Theriot in the lead-off spot, albeit a small sample size, the return of Alfonso Soriano resulted in Theriot returning to the two hole.

Personal

Theriot and his wife, Johnnah Haik, live in Prairieville, Louisiana with son Houston, 4, and an infant daughter Macey Marie. A second daughter, Georgia Grace, was born on July 14, 2008. He is sometimes referred to by Cubs fans and broadcasters as "The Riot" as a play on the spelling of his last name. [http://nola.live.advance.net/lsu/t-p/baseball/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1180333716175280.xml&coll=1&thispage=2] Theriot and teammate Mike Fontenot, who are both Louisiana natives, are sometimes called the "Cajun Connection", "Bayou Boys", or "Bayou Basher" by Cubs' announcers.

References

External links

*baseballstats |mlb=444135 |espn=6437 |br=t/theriry01 |fangraphs=3811 |cube=T/ryan-theriot
* [http://www.minorleaguesplits.com/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?pl=444135 Minor League Splits and Situational Stats]
* [http://community.livejournal.com/theriotgate08/ Number One Fan Site]
* [http://youcantquiettheriot.com You Can't Quiet the Riot]