Former Wasilla baseball standout’s memory remains alive with annual tournament

WASILLA — Jason Ryan stood on the mound at the Wasilla High School baseball field Thursday evening, a glove on one hand and a baseball in the other, wearing a jacket with the name Todd embroidered on the chest.

Jason was ready to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on the first night of the annual tournament named in honor of his older brother Todd, a former Wasilla American Legion baseball standout, who died suddenly in 1991 at the age of 26.

For more than two decades, the Wasilla Post 35 American Legion program has hosted the Todd Ryan Memorial.

“The fact that it’s 20-some years later and they’re still doing it is pretty special,” Jason said as he watched the first inning of the opening game of the tournament.

The Ryan brothers grew up on the local baseball fields. Todd, a 1982 graduate of Wasilla High School, was a standout on the local youth, Babe Ruth and American Legion teams. He was a left-handed pitcher and played first base.

“Baseball was my brother’s first love, followed close by fishing,” Jason said.

Todd had a chance to play college baseball, Jason said, and walked on at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri.

“He was going to get a scholarship. They really liked his stuff,” Jason said.

A car accident ended his playing career.

“He dislocated his left elbow and could never truly straighten (the arm) out,” Jason said. “He regained his strength, but he couldn’t control.”

Jason said Todd tried to make the move from pitcher to right field. He had the strength to make the throw from right to home, but accuracy was an issue. But that did keep Todd away from the game he loved. Todd started coaching alongside his former coach, mentor and friend, Pete Powell, the former longtime head coach of Wasilla Post 35.

“They were good friends,” Jason said of his brother and Powell.

Todd was an assistant with the team in 1989 and 1990, and was set to return for the 1991 season. In the spring of 1991, Todd died suddenly, and unexpected.

“His heart just stopped,” Jason said. “Totally unexplained. The coroner’s report, no drugs, no cholesterol.”

Jason said it was Powell who wanted to honor Todd with the tournament.

“When Pete first came over to the house and talked to (my parents) about it, they were just kind of dumb-founded that he would do that,” Jason said. “It’s real special.”

Jason also played baseball, but never pitched. He was a catcher so Todd had someone to throw to. Jason said he didn’t have a mask until he took a pitch in the eye one day. Then he got his mask.

Thursday marks the second time Jason has been invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the tournament named for his brother. Each time he has worn the jacket Todd had during his final season as a baseball coach. It’s now Jason’s keepsake.

Jason said Todd loved baseball and fishing. He started working as a fishing and hunting guide as soon as he graduated high school.

“He kind of lived every Alaskan male’s dream,” Jason said.

He was an outdoorsman and a strong Christian, Jason said.

“One thing he tried to help as he coached, be a good person as well as a player,” Jason said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.