Former Clearwater Central Catholic Pitcher Ryan Webb Stargazing at the Major League Level

When Ryan Webb talks about living among the stars, he doesn't mean teammates Hanley Ramirez or Josh Johnson.  

The multifaceted Major League reliever is likely referring to Proxima Centauri, Rigil Kentaurus or any of the billions of constellations that make up the galaxy.

That hobby is part of what makes up the 25-year-old former Clearwater Central Catholic "star" now shining in the Florida Marlins bullpen.  

"I've been interested in astronomy since I was a kid," Webb said. "I would always go out and watch shooting stars, or a meteor  shower or something."

He's photographed Orion's Nebula and hopes to take a star-gazing trip down the Canadian coastline this winter. Seeing the peace upward helps him keep his perspective.

"It makes you realize how big everything else is, but also how important the little things are, too, and how everything fits," he said. "It keeps you grounded. It actually reminds me to keep everything simple."

The thrill of seeing objects millions of miles away aside, Webb keeps his short-term focus on what exists 60-feet, 6-inches in front, and specifically in preventing opponents from sending baseballs into orbit.

He comes back to the area as the Marlins take on the Tampa Bay Rays in a three game series for interleague play throughout the weekend.

He has traveled a comet's distance from his time at CCC, from 2001-04, including being part of the Florida Class 3-A State Championship team in 2002.  

"It was amazing playing baseball at CCC," he said. "Coach [Todd] Vaughan was awesome. He's a local legend over there. He really knows what he's doing and was a good coach to have coming up. It was so much fun to be a part of that."   

Webb had become a bona fide prospect by his senior year, having earned All-County, All-State and All-Suncoast first-team honors for his junior and senior seasons. His accolades also included a 2003 no-hitter of Tampa Catholic.  

His spectacular 2004 senior season - a 10-0 record with a 0.42 ERA and only 33 hits and 11 walks allowed in 66 innings - got him drafted by the Oakland A's in the fourth round. He skipped college for the professional ranks.  

Webb advanced as high as Triple-A Sacramento in 5 1/2 minor-league seasons with the A's, then was dealt to San Diego as part of a deal for Scott Hairston on July 5, 2009. He made his Major-League debut three days later with the Padres, giving up a single to Arizona's Stephen Drew before retiring Justin Upton on a fly out.  

The right-hander appeared in 28 games that year, and hasn't seen the minor leagues since. He learned valuable lessons in 2010 while apprenticing under closer Heath Bell and setup relievers Luke Gregerson and Mike Adams. The group formed one of baseball's best bullpens, and Webb bought into the belief of a bullpen as a collective.  

Bell insisted that the relievers walk to the bullpen together before each game and the emphasis was always production as a group, with Webb responsible for the sixth and seventh innings.   

"It's about being a unit and picking up teammates," Webb said. "If you didn't have your best stuff, the next guy was going to pick you up. That's what wins close games. Coming up there was a great opportunity to learn. I see the same drive and intensity over here."  

The influx of promising young arms in San Diego made Webb expendable in November, when they sent him to Florida with reliever Edward Mujica for Cameron Maybin. The trade returned Webb to his home state.

They still see the power sinker that ticks into the mid-90s and induces grounders. He continues to make mechanical adjustments and has a lower release point for his slider and curve. He's posted a 3.86 ERA with 22 strikeouts in just over 30 innings this season, working largely in the seventh and eighth innings.

While the Rays are closer to his Palm Harbor roots than the Miami-based Marlins, Webb would still reap the benefits of having easier access to friends and family. This group includes his two older brothers and father Hank Webb, a former Major Leaguer with the Mets and Dodgers from 1972-77.

"My dad heard I got traded before I did," Webb said. "Once the initial shock set in, I realized it was going to be really cool to play so close to home. My parents have already come to a lot of games. I'm excited that everybody I love can come and see me."