Ryan Lavarnway is a retired Major League Baseball catcher, currently working as a Keynote Speaker and Leadership Coach. Over his fifteen-year career, Ryan represented eight different teams in the Major Leagues, including the 2013 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. He also proudly represented Israel internationally in both the World Baseball Classic and the Olympics, which earned him recognition in the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
In 2024, Ryan was named as the 11th most influential Jewish athlete of all time and The Jerusalem Post named Ryan one of the top 25 Young Vizionaries of the year.
Ryan began his journey to the majors as a standout at Yale University. In 2007, he became the NCAA batting champion by hitting an impressive .467 and set a new Ivy League record with a 25-game hitting streak. He also holds the Ivy League all-time career home run record with 34.
Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2008, Ryan quickly established himself as a powerful hitter, being named to multiple minor league All-Star teams and earning Minor League Offensive Player of the Year twice.
After his big-league debut in 2011, Ryan continued to excel on the field, setting multiple MLB and franchise records. Internationally he earned MVP recognition for his play in the World Baseball Classic and was named as the first-ever captain of Team Israel ahead of the 2023 European Championships.
He is a dynamic speaker with a wealth of experience to draw upon. He brings a unique perspective to his public speaking engagements, combining his passion for baseball with his personal journey and experiences. He is an engaging and entertaining speaker who connects with his audience on a personal level, leaving a lasting impact on all who hear him speak.
Join us March 23rd for a family-friendly event where Ryan will read his children’s book, Baseball and Belonging, which explores how playing for Team Israel deepened his connection to Judaism. Afterward, there will be a Q&A session, opportunities for autographs and photos with Ryan, and a special post-storytime baseball activity.
This post has been contributed by a third party. The opinions, facts and any media content are presented solely by the author, and JewishPhoenix assumes no responsibility for them. MORE
