Royals Pitcher Cole Ragans Warms Up for Yankees with a Unique Central Park Catch
Cole Ragans’ Unconventional Warm-Up
Kansas City Royals pitcher Cole Ragans found a refreshing way to prepare for his game against the New York Yankees—by playing catch in Central Park. On Sunday, just a day before the crucial AL Division Series matchup, Ragans took a short stroll from his hotel to the Heckscher Ballfields in the iconic park.
A Casual Game Day Routine
For 11 minutes, Ragans and teammate Sam Long tossed the ball around in the heart of Manhattan, blending in with the many amateur players enjoying the park. “Just found a little grass patch there and we played catch for a little bit,” Ragans shared. “It was pretty cool.”
Game Day Performance
The next day, Ragans took the mound at Yankee Stadium, where he pitched four innings and allowed just one run in the Royals’ 4-2 victory over the Yankees. This win evened the series at one game apiece.
Despite the victory, Ragans struggled with his control, throwing 87 pitches to get 12 outs. He walked three of the four leadoff hitters and went to full counts on five of his first ten batters. Yet, he managed to strike out big hitters like Aaron Judge and Juan Soto when it mattered most.
Overcoming Challenges
Ragans attributed some of his pitching difficulties to control issues. “Control was a little erratic,” he admitted. The lone run he allowed came from Giancarlo Stanton’s third-inning single, which deflected off shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Ragans ended the game with five strikeouts and four walks, adding to the 13 walks Royals pitchers have given up in the playoffs.
A Rising Star
Ragans, who was mostly a reliever with the Texas Rangers last year, was traded to the Royals in June. The team quickly shifted him back to a starting role, where he excelled, finishing the season with an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. Royals general manager J.J. Picollo praised Ragans’ growth, noting, “We didn’t know how good Cole was going to be when we acquired him, but it was clear he would be in our rotation.”
Manager’s Approval
Royals manager Matt Quatraro supported Ragans’ unique warm-up routine in Central Park. “We encouraged it,” Quatraro said. “If we’re not coming in here to work out, that’s what we’re going to do.”
Ragans arrived at Central Park around 11 a.m. and threw from 75 feet for about 5-10 minutes. “Nobody recognized us,” he chuckled. “We just got our stuff done and went back to the hotel.”
Conclusion
Ragans’ laid-back approach before a high-stakes game seems to have paid off, blending relaxation with preparation. As the Royals continue their playoff run, fans will be watching to see how this rising star develops on the mound.