Ryan Michael Madson (born August 28, 1980) is an American former professional
baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...
. He played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
(MLB) for the
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...
,
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...
,
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...
,
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. They play their home games at Na ...
, and
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
. Madson won World Series championships with the Phillies in 2008 and the Royals in 2015. He is third all-time in postseason pitching appearances, behind only
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera (born November 29, 1969) is a Panamanian Americans, Panamanian-American former professional baseball pitcher who played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, from 1995 to 2013. Nicknamed "Mo" and " ...
and
Kenley Jansen
Kenley Geronimo Jansen (born September 30, 1987) is a Curaçaoan professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red ...
.
Madson throws three types of fastballs. His
four-seamer and
sinker both average 95 miles per hour. He also throws a
cut fastball
Cut or CUT may refer to:
Common uses
* The act of cutting, the separation of an object into two through acutely directed force
** A type of wound
** Cut (archaeology), a hole dug in the past
** Cut (clothing), the style or shape of a garment
** ...
that averages 93 mph, and a
circle changeup
In baseball, a circle changeup (also called the okay changeup, related to the thumb and index finger touching) or circle change is a pitch thrown with a grip that includes a circle formation, hence the name circle changeup. The circle is forme ...
around 85 mph.
Early life
Madson graduated from
Valley View High School in 1998. He committed to play
college baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played by Student athlete, student-athletes at institutions of higher education. In the United States, college baseball is sanctioned mainly by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); in Japan, ...
for
USC USC may refer to:
Education
United States
* Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, Santurce, Puerto Rico
* University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
** University of South Carolina System, a state university system of South Carolina
* ...
.
Professional career
Philadelphia Phillies (2003–2011)
The
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...
selected Madson in the ninth round (254th overall) of the
1998 Major League Baseball draft. He made his major league debut in 2003. In 2005, he finished with a 4.14
earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...
in 87 innings. The Phillies converted him back to a
starting pitcher
In baseball (hardball or softball), a starting pitcher or starter is the first pitcher in the game for each team. A pitcher is credited with a game started if they throw the first pitch to the opponent's first batter of a game. Starting pit ...
, the role he held throughout his minor league career in 2006.
By 2008 Madson had become part of the "bridge to Lidge (
closer Brad Lidge
Bradley Thomas Lidge (born December 23, 1976), nicknamed "Lights Out", is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Lidge played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 2002–2012. He played for the Houston Astros, Philadelphia ...
)", developing into an outstanding set-up man. With a devastating
changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball and fastpitch softball.
The changeup is a staple off-speed pitch often used in a pitcher's arsenal, usually thrown to look like a fastball, but arriving much more slowly to the plate. Its reduced spee ...
, Madson found increased velocity, hitting as high as 97 miles per hour in the
NLCS
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) is a Playoff format#Best-of-seven playoff, best-of-seven playoff and one of two League Championship Series comprising the penultimate round of Major League Baseball's (MLB) Major League Baseball po ...
. Madson earned his first playoff
victory
The term victory (from ) originally applied to warfare, and denotes success achieved in personal duel, combat, after military operations in general or, by extension, in any competition. Success in a military campaign constitutes a strategic vi ...
when the Phillies defeated the
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
in Game 4 of the 2008 NLCS. He pitched innings,
striking out
''Striking Out'' is an Television in the Republic of Ireland, Irish television legal drama television series, broadcast on RTÉ, that first aired on 1 January 2017, based on ''The Good Wife'' by Robert King (writer), Robert and Michelle King. Prod ...
one while allowing one
hit and one
walk
Walking (also known as ambulation) is one of the main gaits of terrestrial locomotion among legged animals. Walking is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined as an "inverted pendulum" gait in which the body vaults over ...
.
When
Brad Lidge
Bradley Thomas Lidge (born December 23, 1976), nicknamed "Lights Out", is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Lidge played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 2002–2012. He played for the Houston Astros, Philadelphia ...
was placed on the
disabled list
In Major League Baseball (MLB), the injured list (IL) is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players. Before the 2019 Major League Baseball season, 2019 season, it was known as the disabl ...
on June 9, 2009, Ryan Madson was the Phillies' choice for interim closer. Madson got his first save in his new role on June 10, 2009, against the
New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
.
In Game 6 of the
2010 National League Championship Series
The 2010 National League Championship Series (NLCS) was a best-of-seven playoff series in Major League Baseball’s 2010 postseason that pitted the winners of the 2010 National League Division Series - the overall #1 seed Philadelphia Phillies a ...
, Madson was the losing pitcher when he gave up a solo home run to
Juan Uribe in the eighth inning of a 3–2 loss to the
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
.
Madson began the 2011 season once again as the Phillies' main set-up reliever. However, with Lidge and
José Contreras
José Ariel Contreras Camejo (born December 6, 1971) is a Cubans, Cuban former professional baseball pitcher, who played in the Cuban National Series (CNS), Major League Baseball (MLB), and internationally for the Cuban national baseball team. ...
on the disabled list in May 2011, Madson was chosen to close for the Phillies. , Madson converted 23 saves in 25 opportunities and retained the closer role even after Lidge returned from the DL in July. Madson finished the season with 32 saves, 62 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.37.
A free agent, Madson was close to negotiating a four-year, $44 million contract to remain with the Phillies, but Phillies general manager
Rubén Amaro, Jr. reneged on the verbal agreement and instead signed
Jonathan Papelbon
Jonathan Robert Papelbon (; born November 23, 1980) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), most notably for the Boston Red Sox, with whom he was an Major League Baseball Al ...
to a four-year $50 million deal to replace Madson as the team's closer.
Injuries and initial retirement
During the 2011–12 offseason, Madson agreed to a one-year $8.5 million contract with the
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...
. Before the end of spring training, Madson had a torn ligament in his right elbow, requiring
Tommy John surgery
Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, sometimes referred to as Tommy John surgery is a surgical graft procedure where the ulnar collateral ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with either a tendon from elsewhere in the patient's body, ...
, and missed the entire 2012 season. He never pitched for the Reds, as he declined his option on October 31 and became a free agent.
On November 28, 2012, Madson agreed to a one-year deal with the
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West Division. Since 1966, the team has pl ...
. He began the 2013 season on the 15-day disabled list as he attempted to recover from the Tommy John surgery. Later in the season, the Angels transferred Madson to the 60-day disabled list. He was released on August 5 without appearing in a game.
Madson tried out with several teams in January 2014 but received no minor league deals from them, so he retired.
Kansas City Royals (2015)
Madson had become a youth baseball coach in California after his retirement, and in 2014, he received a call from
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...
executive Jim Fregosi Jr., asking Madson to tutor a high school pitcher. Working with the student inspired Madson to return to MLB, and he contacted Fregosi again that winter. On January 4, 2015, the Royals signed Madson to a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training. Madson was the last player added to the Royals' 25-man roster, beating out
Brian Flynn for the final bullpen position in a decision that manager
Ned Yost
Edgar Frederick Yost III (; born August 19, 1954) is an American former Major League Baseball catcher and manager of the Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals. He played for the Brewers, Texas Rangers, and Montreal Expos. Since 2025, he has ...
called "the hardest ... I think I've ever had to make". He made his first major league appearance in over three years on April 6, 2015, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in the Royals' 10-1 Opening Day defeat of the
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...
. By the end of May, Madson had become a staple of Kansas City's strong bullpen, with a 1.74 ERA and 21 strikeouts in innings over 18 appearances. With
Wade Davis and
Greg Holland unavailable, Madson earned the first save of this new stage of his career on August 9, holding the White Sox scoreless in the ninth inning for a 5-4 victory. By the end of the month, Madson began to experience fatigue and "dead arm", and he was put on rest in order to be ready for a postseason push.
In Game 4 of the
2015 ALDS against the
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...
, Madson gave up two home runs which put the Royals behind 6–2 with six outs until elimination, however, the Royals rallied to win the game and eventually the series. In Game 6 of the
2015 ALCS
The 2015 American League Championship Series (ALCS) was a best-of-seven playoff in Major League Baseball's 2015 postseason contested between the second-seeded Toronto Blue Jays and the top-seeded Kansas City Royals for the American League (AL) ...
against the
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Since 1989, the team has p ...
, Madson surrendered a game-tying two run homer to
José Bautista, but the Royals scored the game winning run in the bottom of the same inning to win the game and the series.
Oakland Athletics (2016–2017)
On December 11, 2015, Madson signed a three-year, $22 million contract with the
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...
. In his first season, Madson was given the closer job while lefty
Sean Doolittle
Sean Robert Doolittle (born September 26, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, and Seattle Mariners. He won the 201 ...
recovered from injury. Madson saved 30 games, and despite blowing 7 saves, he finished with a 3.62 ERA in 63 games. In 2017, Madson was relieved of the closer role and was placed as the setup man. Through 40 games, he had a 2.06 ERA while improving his K/9 from 2016.
Washington Nationals (2017–2018)
On July 16, 2017, Madson and Doolittle were traded to the
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. They play their home games at Na ...
for
Blake Treinen
Blake Michael Treinen (, born June 30, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Washington Nationals and Oakland Athletics. He played co ...
,
Sheldon Neuse
Sheldon Lynn Neuse ( ; born December 10, 1994) is an American professional baseball infielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics, and in Nippon Profession ...
, and
Jesús Luzardo
Jesús Guillermo Luzardo (born September 30, 1997) is a Peruvian-born Venezuelan-American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics and Mi ...
. Madson drew criticism from some when on August 4, 2018, he hit Reds star first baseman
Joey Votto
Joseph Daniel Votto (born September 10, 1983) is a Canadian-American former professional baseball first baseman who spent his entire 17-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Cincinnati Reds from 2007 to 2023. He was the second Canad ...
on the knee with a 96 mph fastball on the first pitch, possibly in retaliation for an accidental hit by pitch of Nationals star
Bryce Harper
Bryce Aron Max Harper (born October 16, 1992) is an American professional baseball first baseman and right fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Washington Nationals.
One o ...
. Votto, who yelled at Madson in anger over the pitch, ended up going on the DL.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2018)
On August 31, 2018, Madson was traded to the
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
for minor league pitcher Andrew Istler. In 9 games for the Dodgers, he struggled to a 6.48 ERA with 13 strikeouts across innings pitched. Madson was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the
2018 NLCS.
Personal life
Madson is divorced from his wife of 20 years, Sarah, with whom he has five children.
Since his Tommy John surgery, at the suggestion of his Anaheim Angels teammates, Madson has trained with EVO Ultrafit in
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona. With over 1.6 million residents at the 2020 census, it is the ...
, and carries around a POV Sport, an electrical modality, with him at all times during the season.
Madson's uncle,
Steve Barr
Steven Charles Barr (born September 8, 1951) is a retired American professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher, he worked in 24 games in Major League Baseball between 1974 and 1976 for the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers. He was li ...
, played in the major leagues from 1974 to 1976 for the
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...
and
Texas Rangers.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Madson, Ryan
1980 births
Living people
Baseball players from Long Beach, California
Major League Baseball pitchers
Philadelphia Phillies players
Kansas City Royals players
Oakland Athletics players
Washington Nationals players
21st-century American sportsmen
Los Angeles Dodgers players
Martinsville Phillies players
Batavia Muckdogs players
Piedmont Boll Weevils players
Clearwater Phillies players
Reading Phillies players
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons players
Team USA players
Clearwater Threshers players
Lehigh Valley IronPigs players
Inland Empire 66ers players