Haraldsens: Competing together ‘amazing’

By GLENN MILLER
Roy Hobbs Baseball
RHWS 37

When Ryan Haraldsen returned to work last winter at TPG Capital in Dallas, he shared a story about playing baseball with his 82-year-old grandfather in Fort Myers.

Ryan, 26, told his boss about the double his 82-year-old grandfather hit and how he slid into second base.

“He only hits like once or maybe twice a game at this point,” Ryan said. “He goes up to bat and rips one out into, it had to be left center. He rounds first and slides into second.”

Ryan revels in the memory.

“I think the first thing I told my boss when I got back, I was, like ‘Dude, you’re not gonna believe this,’” Ryan said.

Grandpa has another version of the double.

“It was probably a mistake by the outfielder,” John, Sr. said.

What about the slide?

“OK, I recall that,” grandpa said. “That’s probably the first time I’ve attempted a slide in a couple of years.”

The third Haraldsen baseball player is John, Jr.

Ryan is likely the only TPG Capital employee who can share a story about playing baseball with a grandfather.

Ryan’s dad and grandfather have been Sunshine Classic fixtures for about 15 years. John, Jr., 59, recalls their first time playing together.

The classic father-son playing catch scene from “Field of Dreams” was on their minds.

“I think it was one of the first Family Ties,” John, Jr. said. “We were in the on-deck circle waiting to hit. … He was hitting right behind me or the other way. … We were watching Bill Lee warm up. … And we just kind of chuckled. People think it’s special to have a catch with your dad and here we are in uniform competing together. That was amazing.”

Amazing is a word that pops up often with Haraldsens.

John Sr. has another word in mind when talking about playing baseball with his son and grandson, who both gave up baseball to focus on hockey as youngsters.

“I’m humbled by their baseball acuity,” John, Sr. said.

As adults they returned to baseball after focusing on hockey as youngsters. Grandpa was elected to the Roy Hobbs Hall of Fame in 2021. Age has taken its toll on the eldest Haraldsen.

“I used to pitch but my shoulder is shot,” John, Sr. said “I can’t hardly throw the ball anymore.”

He has cut down on playing.

“My body is telling me that the pain isn’t worth the gain,” John, Sr. said “I love baseball. I love the game, and I love my teammates and all the friends I’ve made over the years, and I really miss being with them every week, or at least a couple of times a week.

“I feel like I’m a liability on the ball field.”

His grandson, who has an MBA from the University of Indiana, would certainly count his grandfather as an asset and not a liability.

Ryan knows about assets and liabilities.

The Haraldsens have owned a car and truck repair shop in the Chicago suburbs since 1952.

When John Jr. and Ryan were boys they played baseball but then focused on hockey. Both played club hockey in college. Dad played at the University of Iowa and Ryan at Indiana.

Now, at 26, Ryan is too young for the Roy Hobbs World Series but plays recreational hockey in Dallas. As a young and fit man his annual forays into baseball with his father and grandfather leaves him sore.

Instead of skating on ice, he’s running on grass and dirt in spikes or cleats. He usually plays centerfield. Is he sore after the Sunshine Classic?

“Absolutely, “ Ryan said “Different muscles. You definitely get sore hamstrings.”

The Haraldsen Family makes history in baseball and business. Ryan’s father and grandfather are the second and third generations to operate Haraldsen’s Garage in suburban Chicago. The business was founded by Ryan’s great-grandfather in 1952 and will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2027.

In 2027, the Haraldsen Men plan to play together again in the Sunshine Classic. Ryan will certainly have more stories to tell his boss in Dallas when he returns.

Sore hamstrings and all.