Barrie Baycats' legend Spataro retires

Intercounty Baseball League’s Barrie Baycats legend Ryan Spataro has announced his retirement.

July 6, 2021

Official Barrie Baycats News Release

The Barrie Baycats announced on Tuesday that right fielder Ryan Spataro has retired after a legendary 15-year career.

The greatest player in franchise history, Spataro retires after 429 regular season games played in which he recorded numerous franchise records. His 1,806 at-bats, 667 hits, 106 doubles, 20 triples, 225 walks, 918 total bases, and 211 stolen bases are all franchise records. His 211 stolen bases are also an Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) record.

A former draft pick of the Minnesota Twins, Spataro joined the Baycats in 2005, winning the regular-season MVP and batting title in his first season while leading the Baycats to their first Jack and Lynne Dominico Cup that same year.

Spataro would go on to win the MVP again in 2010, the same year he won his second league batting title.

The right fielder added to his resume in the 2019 playoffs when he captured his first-ever playoff MVP award.

In the 2019 playoffs, which turned out to be Spataro's swan song, the legendary right fielder, who was named among the IBL's top 100 players of all-time in 2017, batted .519-.581-.907 with three home runs, including a lead-off home run in the championship-clinching game six in Kitchener.

Spataro, who also hit a lead-off home run in the championship-clinching game in Kitchener in 2017, tallied an on-base plus slugging of 1.448 in the 2019 playoffs.

The unquestioned leader and heart and soul of the Baycats for the last 15 years, Spataro leaves the Baycats with seven championships, a regular-season MVP award, a playoff MVP award, one batting title, and 13 all-star nominations, with eight of them being first-team nominations.

Spataro, whose iconic championship-winning catch in London in 2014 will go down as the greatest catch in franchise history, thanked the Baycats while reflecting on a legendary 15-year career.

"It is with mixed emotions that I will be announcing my retirement from my baseball career. It has been an amazing 15 years with the best organization of the IBL, the Barrie Baycats. I can still remember my first practice with the Baycats at the Sports Dome, where bonds were formed instantly with well-known Baycats legends and hearing about the dominant Angus Roy, who would soon be joining the 2005 team,” said Spataro.

“It was that year that I fell back in love with baseball. Playing with guys like Bissell, Borgo, Davis, Newitt, Lundberg, McCord, Latour, and many more enabled me to realize this game was about emotion and fun, and not necessarily a job. That 2005 year was a prime example of when you have 25 guys who all get along, love the game, and play as a team, is stronger than a team full of superstars that just come to play. We were a 'misfit' team that was able to beat a team full of legendary ex-big league players, ex-minor leaguers, and great college players. One of the highlights of my career was helping that 2005 Baycats team win their first IBL championship.

"Over the next few years, I saw many players come and go. Each one of them took on a part of the Baycats culture. I prided myself on making sure that not one person was left out and everyone was part of the team. Whether, on the field, off the field, in the clubhouse, or at Spatty shakers, it didn't matter if you were 19 or 38 (sorry Spolly!), or from the Dominican or the US. We were a team and ensured everyone was included. I believe the way we were as a team off the field was the reason for our success for 15 years.”

Baycats president David Mills thanked Spataro for everything he has done for the organization.

"Since 2005, Ryan has done it all. League MVPs, league batting titles, a seven-time champion, recognized by Barrie Sports Hall of Fame, and so much more. Ryan has been the face of the Baycats organization for these years and he has been the heart and soul each and every season,” said Mills.

“Just as important to on-field successes, when asked to participate in events within the community on behalf of the Baycats, Ryan was always the first to step up. There will never be another player and person that exemplifies the skills, abilities, and personality that Ryan Spataro has demonstrated in a Baycat uniform. He is truly a class individual. On behalf of ownership, volunteers, and fans, thank you Ryan for many great memories, those leadoff home runs, stolen bases, and throwing out an opposing player from right field. Please do not be a stranger at future games, you will always remain a part of the Baycats organization”.

For the full press release, click on this link.