By CHRIS SOURK
tbonesbaseball.com

A former All-SEC player at the University of Arkansas, Ryan Fox was always known for his power. As a Razorback, Fox hit 33 home runs during his three seasons with the team.

However, his game as a member of the Kansas City T-Bones against the Schaumburg Flyers on July 3, 2009, will always stand out to him.

Fox, a native of Emporia, Kan., mashed three home runs that night and finished with seven RBIs, both tying team records in a single game.

“It was just one of those games where I was seeing the ball really well and I just tried putting a good swing on it,” said Fox. “The key after the first two home runs was just to keep the same approach and try to drive the ball.”

“I remember that all three home runs were absolute bombs,” said T-Bones general manager Chris Browne. “And, if I recall correctly, he came close to hitting a fourth. It was definitely all Ryan Fox that night.” 

Fox played two seasons with Kansas City. In 2009, he led the T-Bones with 24 home runs and represented the T-Bones in the Northern League All-Star game. Following Fox’s three homer, seven RBI game, he was selected as the Northern League Batter of the Week.

“I knew I always had the potential to hit a home run in any at-bat,” Fox said. “Sometimes, it’s the pitches that you take that are most important.”

After retiring from baseball at the end of the 2010 season, Fox got into coaching. He now coaches two youth baseball teams in Arkansas, both named the Arkansas T-Bones, as a matter of fact. Fox is also in the process of building a baseball facility in northwest Arkansas to serve the youth.

While Fox remembers his success on the field with the T-Bones, he holds the friends and relationships that he made in Kansas City even closer.

“I had a great time in Kansas City,” he said. “The fans were great. I made a lot of great friends and close relationships. I definitely grew as a ball player in those two years, but foremost, I made a lot of great friends that I still keep in touch with.”