Where’s That Tiger: Ryan Theriot’s LSU Dream Came True and Then Much More Followed
From being a little kid dreaming of playing at Alex Box Stadium, to being one of the greatest to ever come through the program, Ryan Theriot has done and seen it all.
A Baton Rouge native, Theriot’s lifelong goal was to don the purple and gold while he continued to play baseball at the highest level. The shortstop scored LSU’s game-winning run in the 2000 College World Series on his way to making the 2000 College World Series All-Tournament team. The year prior, Theriot was a member of the 1999 NCAA Regional All-Tournament team. He began the 2001 season with being voted team captain, and concluded it with second team All-SEC honors.
“When you’re a kid from Baton Rouge, you don’t dream of playing for the Yankees. You dream of playing for LSU,” Theriot said. “When I put on that jersey, I felt like I made it.”
Following his illustrious career at LSU, the Chicago Cubs drafted Theriot in the third round of the 2001 MLB draft.
Theriot describes his time at LSU as a blessing and a curse. On one hand, he made lifelong friends playing for the best program, and the best fans, in the country.
The downside? Theriot was not prepared for the massive change that would come in the minor leagues.
In addition to transitioning from an aluminum bat to a wooden, Theriot quickly realized that his college baseball experience far exceeded that of the minor leagues.
“In the minors, there are no fans,” Theriot said. “Nobody cares if you win or lose. The support is much different.”
After grinding through the minor league system, one of the best moments of Theriot’s life came to fruition: he got called up to the major leagues.
During the 2008 season, Theriot was ranked sixth in the National League in batting average with a .307 and 10th in on-base percentage with .387. After spending five years with the Cubs, Theriot was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010. A 48-hour arbitration left Theriot feeling like the team that drafted him did not want him anymore, and it was one of the toughest things he endured throughout his career.
“Basically, it was 48 hours of the team telling me how bad I am, and why I shouldn’t be paid ‘x’ amount,” Theriot explained. “Then, my agent tells them how good I am, and why I should be paid ‘x’ amount. It was exhausting.”
Despite the disappointment of leaving Chicago, the move gave Theriot an opportunity to have a couple more all-time moments. Reaching the pinnacle of baseball, he became a World Series Champion in 2011 with the St. Louis Cardinals, and again in 2012 with the San Francisco Giants.
And Now:
After concluding his baseball career, Theriot reconnected with a passion he sparked in Chicago. He started as a guest on Dave Kaplan’s radio show, getting increasingly involved as time went on. In 2010, Theriot secured a deal with Matt Moscona’s radio show, simultaneously falling in love with Moscona’s preparation and creativity. As Theriot’s presence on Moscona’s show grew, it developed into a podcast that won Louisiana Podcast of the Year in 2019 and 2020. “The Riot” follows and offers opinions on LSU’s big three sports: football, basketball and baseball.
Additionally, Theriot was also able to invest more time into a property he invested in right after college. The idea of a sports performance center was always Theriot’s dream, but he could never afford it until he was drafted. The facility, now called Traction Sports, is a multipurpose athletic complex with baseball, softball and football fields and an outdoor track. Professional and post-collegiate athletes utilize Traction to train, whether it be for the NBA, NFL, MLB or U.S. Women’s Soccer Team. Theriot’s title is partner and head of business development with the facility, and he remains involved with the company’s big decision making.
Theriot’s newest project is the construction and roofing company that he started about four years ago. Taking up most of his time, Hudco serves areas ranging from Lake Charles to New Orleans and Mandeville. Theriot’s mission is to change the stigma around the construction business. Judging by its rapid growth, he seems to be succeeding.
Even with minimal free time, Theriot still prioritizes giving back to the community that raised him. His businesses are involved with Dreams Come True, a charity that aims to enhance the lives and fulfill the dreams of kids with life-threatening illnesses. Theriot also makes it a point to connect with prospective and current college athletes. He devotes a large amount of his time to mentoring young athletes, guiding them through setting goals and how to reach them.
“I really spend a lot of time with LSU athletes and high school kids looking to play at the next level,” Theriot said. “That’s how I give back.”
