Tyson Ross is proof that even major league baseball players never stop learning.
Ross, a San Diego Padres starting pitcher and Bishop O'Dowd product, received a major honor this month as he was named by Cardinals manager Mike Matheny to represent the National League in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
Ross is one of the most improved players in MLB this season. During his first four years, he averaged a 4.47 ERA, and has already doubled his win total from last season (3) with an 8-10 mark and an outstanding 2.70 ERA.
“The success I have had this season is a direct reflection of the coaching I have received in San Diego,” said Ross.
After three years in college, Ross was drafted by his favorite team, the Oakland Athletics, in the second round of the 2008 MLB draft. After Ross continued to shine with the Sacramento River Cats, the Athletics Triple-A farm team; he was called up in 2010 as one of Oakland’s best prospects.
“I had always dreamed of wearing the white spikes in Oakland. I grew up playing Oakland Babe Ruth on 66th down the street from the Coliseum,” said Ross. “I was able to watch talented locals such as Jimmy Rollins, CC Sabathia, and Dontrelle Willis succeed at the major league level. Seeing these players from my own backyard was a huge inspiration to me as a kid.”
Ross, however, struggled with the Athletics, recording a 5.49 ERA in 26 games as a reliever. After going back and forth from the minors to majors, Ross was traded to the San Diego Padres, where his younger brother, Joe, was in the Padres minor league system.
“Since being traded from the A's to the Padres, the coaching staff here has taught me a lot about pitching and I have improved dramatically in a short period of time," Ross said. "There really has not been one specific change that I can attribute to my current success.”
Ross graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School (Oakland) in 2005, where he carried the Dragons to an almost perfect 25-1 record, eventually being defeated by Monte Vista in the North Coast Section semifinals.
In his senior year, Ross was named the NCS player of the year with a 0.79 ERA and 130 strikeouts. It was the best year in the program's history as O’Dowd finished the regular season ranked first in California and No. 17 in the nation according to The Baseball Cube.
O’Dowd’s athletic director Carlos Arriaga said watching Ross pitch was “very special.” Arriaga later stated, “He had exceptional stuff, but what’s interesting is he originally wasn’t a pitcher until he was a sophomore.”
Although Ross was one of high school's best pitchers, he still knew that he had a long journey ahead of him.
“In high school, I was a tall kid with a good arm that had very little experience and a lot to learn,” said Ross. “Playing college ball for three years further developed my craft before being drafted by the A's in 2008. It took time in professional baseball to continue to learn, and once I was called up to the major leagues I still had a long ways to go before I was able to find consistent success.”
After high school Ross ended up at UC Berkeley, where he was considered one of the best pitchers in the United States. In over 200 innings pitched at Cal, Ross recorded a 2.79 ERA, and in 2007 he represented his country playing on the USA National team finishing 4-1 with a 0.89 ERA. Ross was first-team All-Pac-10 and the Rawlings Gold Glove winner for collegiate pitchers.
Ross can now add to his achievements, a trip to Minnesota, as a Major League All-Star.
“Being selected as an All-Star is a tremendous honor," he said. "My experiences in Minnesota at the All-Star game are something that I will never forget.”
Unfortunately, Ross was deemed ineligible to play, because he started on Sunday - two days before the All-Star game - against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ross thanks his family and supporters at O’Dowd for his success.
“I have to give credit to my family first and foremost. They have supported me from the very beginning and every stop along the way," Ross said. "I have had many positive influences at Bishop O’Dowd as well. Some may see them as teachers, coaches, or security guards but all those people have a wealth of knowledge and can help mold you to be the person you ultimately dream of being.”
His Padres teammate and longtime Oakland A’s closer Huston Street replaced him on the roster for the Midsummer Classic. Street has since been traded to the Los Angeles Angels.
Bishop O'Dowd is known for its athletic programs, however, when students talk about professional athletes that have come out of O’Dowd, Tyson Ross is always near the top of the list.
“I am just one of many, and hopefully many more Dragons are to follow,” he said.
Since the All-Star game, Tyson Ross received the 2014 MLBPAA (Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association) Heart & Hustle Award, which is awarded to active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and tradition of the game.
“Hard work and perseverance is the key to success: do not let temporary failure discourage you," Ross said. "Learn from the experience, adapt and use that experience to be better in the end.”
Ross’ latest start was against the Mets where he went seven innings allowing only four hits and no runs. He is scheduled to start today against the Chicago Cubs.
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UPDATE: Ross got the win tonight in a 13-3 San Diego Padres' victory against the Chicago Cubs. He pitched six innings, allowed just one earned run and struck out a career-high 11. The former O'Dowd star has pitched 36 innings in July and has a 1.03 ERA for the month.
