Ryan Lavarnway Biography

Ryan Lavarnway holds dual citizenship between the United States and Israel while pursuing a career as leadership coach and broadcaster after his baseball career as a catcher. As a standout student at El Camino Real High in Woodland Hills, California he proceeded to Yale University where in 2007 he led all NCAA batters with a .467 average, set Ivy League records with a 25-game hitting streak, and totaled 33 career home runs—earning him Ivy League career-homer honors.

The Boston Red Sox selected Lavarnway with their sixth overall pick during the 2008 MLB Draft. The player made his major league debut on August 18, 2011. He played for eight different MLB clubs during ten seasons between 2011 and 2021 and won a World Series title with the 2013 Red Sox. His strong hitting abilities at the plate earned him two Minor League Offensive Player of the Year titles as he shattered multiple minor league power hitting records.

Lavarnway chose to represent his Jewish heritage through international baseball competitions. He received Pool A Most Valuable Player recognition during the 2017 World Baseball Classic while being selected as the first captain of Team Israel for the 2023 European Championship. The Olympic tournaments of 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2023 WBC saw him achieve success with his .350 batting average and two home runs.

After ending his professional baseball career in 2021 Lavarnway started working in leadership development and media and philanthropy. He serves as a catching instructor for the Chicago Cubs and provides Colorado Rockies broadcast analysis and delivers keynote presentations about teamwork and mindset and resilience. He’s also authored the children’s book Baseball and Belonging and hosts the “Finding the Way” podcast.

Ryan Lavarnway resides in Denver Colorado with his wife Jamie and their daughter Blake and their Westie dog Tuck. His community involvement includes supporting Habitat for Humanity Freedom Service Dogs and youth sports alongside his Ironman triathlon preparation.

Ryan Lavarnway demonstrates inspiration through his combined achievements in college sports and MLB baseball as well as international competition and leadership development because of his dedication to adaptability and his commitment to making a positive impact on his community.

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