Ryan Ketchner

Ryan Patrick Ketchner (born April 19, 1982 in Wellsville, New York) is a left-handed pitcher in the San Diego Padres organization.

Ketchner was a 10th-round pick out of high school in by|2000 by the Seattle Mariners and was acquired by the Dodgers in a spring training trade in by|2005 with Aaron Looper for Jolbert Cabrera. On November 10, by|2006, Ketchner was signed by the San Diego Padres.

In 2005, Ketchner went 8-7 with a 3.02 ERA at Double-A Jacksonville and was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas in September to make one start, where he allowed one run in seven innings. Ketchner's combined 2.92 ERA was second among Dodgers minor leaguers.

The unique thing about all this: Ketchner is the only member of his family who was born deaf. When he was 16 months old, his parents, concerned because he had not yet begun to talk, had him examined by an audiologist, who determined that Ketchner was deaf. While many people consider his deafness a disability, the 6'1", 190-pound Ketchner, who wears hearing aids in both ears to help him hear muffled sounds and detect vibrations, doesn't want anybody to feel sorry for him. Ketchner says his only disadvantage is that he isn't able to hear the communication that takes place on the infield -- who is calling for the pop up, who is covering on a bunt, etc. And if the catcher wants to go to the mound to speak with Ketchner, he must take off his catcher's mask in order to for the pitcher to be able to read his lips. Ketchner is so adept at lip-reading that he was able to pick up the words of a coach in the opposing dugout during a high school game.

While attending high school in Lake Worth, Florida, Ketchner met Curtis Pride, a journeyman outfielder who at the time lived just 30 minutes from Ketchner's family. Despite their 14-year age difference, the two quickly became friends and often keep in touch with each other via e-mail.

"I look up to him a lot", Ketchner said of Pride."He has been through everything I am going through and he has played in the major leagues. It makes me feel good. I feel that when other deaf people see me, I can be a role model to them."

Pride, who has also been deaf since birth, is aware of the obstacles that Ketchner faces and appreciates the opportunity to serve as a role model.

"It is nice to be considered a role model for a lot of people like Ryan because I have given them hope and inspiration that they can do whatever they want as long as they believe in themselves and that anything is possible", Pride said.