31 Ryan Franklin
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- Title:
- MLB Player
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- Bats/Throws:
- R/R
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- Hometown:
- Spiro, OK
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- High School:
- Spiro HS (Spiro, OK)
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- Previous College:
- Seminole State College
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- Position:
- RHP
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- Draft:
- 1992
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- Team:
- Seattle Mariners
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- College:
- Seminole State College
Ryan Ray Franklin (born March 5, 1973) is an American former professional baseball pitcher currently serving in the front office of the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.
2009 All-Star
He was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas and grew up in Spiro, Oklahoma. He graduated from high school in Spiro in 1991 and was named to the All-State baseball team. He went to Seminole Junior College, in Oklahoma, where he had a 20-0 win-loss record over two years.
Franklin was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 23rd round of the 1992 amateur draft but chose to return to school. He signed his first professional contract with the team on May 21, 1993. He made his major league debut in 1999, appearing in 6 games. Franklin's 2000 season was spent in AAA. After the 2000 season, Franklin posted a strong spring training and won a job in the Mariners bullpen, appearing in 38 games. The next season, Franklin began the season in the bullpen but after the first half of the season, was moved to the rotation. He finished with a record of 7-5 in 41 appearances, 12 starts. In 2003, Franklin began in the rotation and was one of the Mariners most consistent starters, posting an ERA of 3.57 in 212 innings.
Franklin was a member of the gold medal winning US baseball team at the 2000 Olympics, where he had a 3-0 pitching record in 4 appearances.