My friend Ryan

If you have a Max, he should have a Ryan. Settle in because here is a story defining the true definition of the 12th man.

Jenn Northcutt shares her story how a hometown baseball player is doing big things on and off the field. Northcutt recall that a little over a year ago her sons met Ryan Targac at Blue Baker and her son, Max was immediately in awe. Max is shy and he couldn’t find the courage to talk to him or give him “knuckles”. Ryan, who noticed Max, made a comment about his hair and Northcutt told Ryan that Max was going to talk about him all the way home. Max proved his mother right and “my friend, Ryan” became a common phrase on their way home and in their home.

In January, Jenn Northcutt attended the Texas Aggie baseball women’s clinic and had a chance to chat with Ryan. She mentioned to him, how Max had talked about him non-stop since their meeting and only refers to him as “my friend, Ryan.” Immediately, Targac responded, “you tell my friend, Max, I said hello” and encouraged Northcutt to stop him if they ever saw him somewhere so Max could talk to him.

Soon the first Sunday game of the season came, and Max’s brother Malcolm wanted to run the bases, but Max did not. They attended the game and saw Ryan as he was going into the dugout and without a doubt Max was just besides himself being that close. Northcutt called out Ryan’s name and Max entered shy mode immediately but with a little help from Mom, Max was able to give him “knuckles” and then Max was on cloud 9!

The family attended many games this season and spent time after the games waiting in the parking lot for Max’s brother, Malcolm to get autographs but Max was only interested in talking to Ryan. Game by game, he became more confident and on the way to the park, he’d tell his mom what he was going to tell Ryan about that night, it was anything from swimming lessons, t-ball, float tests, what he was learning in preschool and Ryan was incredibly patient and kind with him.

One-night things just didn’t go well for Ryan on the field, he was frustrated, and it was obvious to the Northcutt family as they watched how he carried himself leaving the park. Max had learned which truck was Ryan’s and saw him get in it. Northcutt told Max that they were just going to wave at right that night and we’d talk to him the next time. Ryan saw Max waving and did not hesitate to get out of his truck to come hug and talk to Max and his family. Max told him something like “it’s okay to have a bad day”.

Then he got mobbed for autographs by a bunch of preteen boys when it was obvious he just wanted to go home, but Northcutt recalls how he treated every one of them with respect and took time to sign things and take pictures.

Max is not shy or awkward anymore with Ryan and is quick to tell everyone he knows about his friend Ryan. The Northcutt family can’t thank Ryan enough for being a positive role model both on and off the field and mostly, for being My Friend Ryan to a wild little Max with a head full of wicked cool red hair.

Northcutt ended by sharing that her family believes Ryan Targac truly defines what the 12th Man stands for and they are forever thankful for the opportunity to connect with him. Targac is a 2020 graduate of Hallettsville High School. Ryan has always shown true character during adversity since his high school baseball career was cut short due to Covid, but this did not stop Targac from continuing his career at the next level at Texas A&M University. If anyone watched the last game between Texas A&M University and Oregon University, not only did you witness A&M having a comeback win, but youmay have got a glimpse of Ryan again defining the role of the 12th man by helping his injured teammate out on the field for the celebration. Ryan along with the Aggies are headed to Omaha.....Gig Em’. Targac is the son of Chris and Misty Tagac of Hallettsville.