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Meet One Of Baseball’s Greatest Fans Helen Ryan

photo by provided At 96 Helen has seen her share of wins and losses on the baseball field and in life, but holds firm to the modern expression ‘ Sports is Life!’ and is still proud anything her twin brother could do she could match!

photo by provided Sitting amongst her treasured Red Sox Memorabilia, Helen had to make sure the interview finished at a set time because she had sports to watch!

Tuesday September 27, 2016

By Cookie Steponaitis

It was 1908 when Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer wrote the unofficial anthem of the American pastime of baseball. It has been traditionally sung during the middle of the seventh inning of a game as fans join in and encourage their favorite team onto victory. Little did the pair of songwriters know that just twelve years later one of America’s most devoted sports fans, Helen Ryan would be born.
    Helen and twin brother Harold were born in 1920 within minutes of each other to proud parents in Walpole, New Hampshire and had a connection reflecting the concept as Helen remarked that, “Anything my brother could do I was going to do too.” Even at a young age Helen was not the typical female of her time. While she learned to cook, can and care for a home her passion was for sports, the outdoors and competing with her brother in all things. “Even when we were young we would get to go to a baseball game,” shared Helen with a smile. “I know people love football, soccer and other sports but there is just something unique and special about attending a game at Fenway Park with a crowd of supporters. It’s pure magic.”
    While Helen admits to avidly watching all sports on television she came of age at a time when young ladies only played certain sports. “I was on the high school girls’ basketball team if you can call it that,” grinned Helen. “It was more like tossing the ball in physical education class. There was little competition or skill required. We were not encouraged to push too hard but depending on who we were playing, I could get a bit competitive.” While Helen’s twin was a full out athlete, Helen was content most of the time to watch his games from the spectator seats. However, when the two played sports or games outside together the competitive nature of Helen was exposed. “I simply love to compete and I love to win,” explained the 96-year-old with a gleam in her eye. “With living in the Connecticut River area I could simply cross the bridge into Vermont and watch their sports as well.
    Helen is firmly in love with baseball and cannot remember a time when she did not love the Boston Red Sox and her bedroom is decked out with Red Sox memorabilia. Helen shared a story of the test of her devotion for her team. When married to her first husband who was a devoted Yankees fan, the couple attended a Yankees-Red Sox match up at Fenway Park. As the couple made their way to the stands her husband turned toward the seats for the Yankee’s side and remarked, “Coming?” Helen took all of about three seconds and quipped, “Not very likely, but you can sit over here with the winning team,” and the couple sat on the side they supported and cheered. Helen cheered perhaps a bit louder because in that match up, the Red Sox sent the Yankees home with a lesson in baseball. To this day Helen’s mind is crystal clear as to the players and stats involved with her favorite team. When asked to name her husband she thought and then chuckled, “Well, don’t that beat all. It’s interesting what you remember isn’t it!”
    Today at 96 Helen no longer plays the sports she loves but watches them religiously. “If I don’t play it I watch it,” smiled the spunky senior citizen. “I loved every minute of being an athlete and am very glad to see that times have finally allowed women to be considered women and athletic at the same time. My poor mother would shake her head and say, ‘Stop being such a boy’ and I would simply compete with my brother all the more. She never really understood what it was all about for me.” While Helen admits to being competitive she believes it was the physical and emotional benefits of exercise that kept her young and fit. Whether it was her stamina, her outlook on life or her ability to take what life handed her, Helen Ryan firmly believes that her athleticism is the secret to her longevity and flexibility. In fact she strongly and empathetically suggested that all reading her story get off the couch and get active.
Posted next to her bed are the words of the 1908 baseball anthem that still ring true today as Helen gets ready to approach the century mark in just four years:
“Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,
I don't care if I never get back.
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win, it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game.”
For Helen nothing replaces the joy of being at Fenway Park surrounded by a cheering crowd and watching all ages enjoy America’s favorite pastime of baseball. “As soon as I had my own car,” giggled Helen, “I found a reason and a way to be at the park. I love to be in a group and to be involved in watching competitive sports. It is simply the best of times.”  When asked to forecast when another World Series win might come to her beloved Red Sox, Helen simply gave a smile and a nod of those who are in the know and concluded the interview with, “Just you wait and see! I think before my 100th birthday there will be a championship coming and how I hope I am here to see it.”
    The Valley Voice salutes the spirit, spunk and athleticism of a woman who is still living her dream and gets joy from watching, playing and talking about the benefits of sports. She never underestimates the power of being one of the biggest fans of her beloved game of baseball and her team the Boston Red Sox.

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