Called by the Warren and Barrington Gazette “the dominant figure in the golden age of Warren baseball,” Beany Ryan, Sr. was the scrappy shortstop for Warren teams that captured state-wide league championships in 1908, 1909, and 1912.  In the two years following this last win, he managed the town team. 

He competed in the Warren versus Bristol Baseball Little World Series from 1908 to 1912 and managed the team from 1912 to 1914, compiling a winning record as both a player and manager.  He so angered Bristol’s Murphy brothers in that timeframe that they refused to compete against Warren in the 1914 Series.  (They certainly showed him!)  Beany returned as a Series coach in both 1934 and 1947.       

His association with the Warren Twilight Baseball League was a long one, starting as a player with the Little Potatoes in 1919, continuing as a player through the 1920s and as a manager in the 1930s.  His 1933 Mechanics team won the league championship.  He topped off his league presence with roles as vice president and a member of the board of directors.

Also involved in such sports as basketball, soccer, and ice polo, Beany led the Old Timers baseball team versus Bristol in 1961.  He never stopped cheering for Warren athletic teams.

Picture from Hall of Fame archives (Warren Gazette)

1972 Warren Times Gazette article written by Hall of Famer John "Jay" Barry interviewing Beany.