Ryan Freel - Baseball Player - passed away

Ryan Freel, age 36, died on December 22, 2012, in Jacksonville, Florida. 

Ryan Freel

He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

He was a well-known baseball player. Ryan spent six of his eight big-league seasons with the Cincinatti Reds and finished his career in 2009 with a .268 average and 143 steals.  He had also played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals. 

Ryan's career was cut short because of a series of head and other injuries. He had shown no fear as he ran into walls, hurtled into the seats and crashed into other players trying to make catches. He had over 10 concussions of the head during his career. 

Friends describe Ryan as a great guy who loved his family. Others said he will never be forgotten. Still others said that he was introspective and passionate. 

Ryan drew attention in 2006 when he was quoted as saying he had an imaginary friend, Farney. "He's a little guy who lives in my head who talks to me and I talk to him. Everybody thinks I talk to myself, so I tell 'em I'm talking to Farney."

He was twice arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. It is reported that he also had Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. 

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes,
who said "I am ground like
a grain of wheat", pray for
Ryan who felt in the
end that he was also
ground down 

Ryan Freel had a lot of things going for him and a lot of things going against him. Attention Deficit Disorder is a serious issue in adults. It can screw up your life if left untreated.  It can leave you unfocused and wandering.  And then, enduring repeated concussions is like beating your brain against a brick wall over and over again. It does nothing for the clarity of your thinking. 

Ryan is survived by many loving friends and relatives and by many fans. 

Pray for those who suffer hidden torment. Amen. 

Let us pray that Ryan Freel is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.