Ryan Flaherty had a long, if mostly forgettable Major League Baseball career. The former Vanderbilt University standout, a linebacker-sizer shortstop capable of playing every position in the field but catcher, spent eight seasons in the big leagues. He mostly worked as a utility infielder off the bench in late game situations for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, and Cleveland Indians. He made his last appearance in the majors in 2019 and signed on as a scout for the San Diego Padres in 2020.
We’re not here to talk about his .215 career average or 37 home runs. We’re here to talk about the time he convinced Orioles manager Buck Showalter to give him a place on Baltimore’s 25-man roster by bringing two monkeys to throw batting practice during spring training.
Buck Showalter says as part of a talent show one year with the Orioles, Ryan Flaherty brought a pair of monkeys who threw and took batting practice. Showalter says that’s part of why he made the team: “That took guts.”
— Stephanie Apstein (@stephapstein) March 18, 2022
