Ragus to riches

Charles Rich

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- A sharp pain in a mashed rotator cuff or balky

elbow might pale in comparison for a pitcher.

The cancerous benign bone cyst situated in the left femur of St.

Francis High baseball pitcher Tom Ragus brings occasional pain.

Fortunately, it doesn’t pierce throughout his 185-pound body when going

into the windup to uncork 90-plus pitches per start.

Especially after the hurler had to undergo 10 orthopedic surgeries in

16 years. It certainly doesn’t equate with attempting to notch a

10-strikeout effort.

At least the senior right-hander can cope with the lifelong ailment

and will make his first postseason start when St. Francis (12-10-1)

travels to Monrovia (22-3) for a CIF Southern Section Division IV

first-round playoff game at 3:15 p.m. today.

To make the start, officially announced earlier this week, might serve

as a wake-up call for health-conscious athletes like Ragus (7-3).

The 6-foot-1 Ragus has followed a daily regimen, which includes taking

two chewable, reddish calcium pills to curb the pain. He previously drank

plenty of milk.

Ragus also had a medal rod, stretching from his left hip to knee,

inserted during an operation to drain the cyst.

“The rod didn’t work, but it turned out to be good because it holds my

leg together,” said Ragus, who has struck out a team-high 54 in 63

innings. “I don’t feel any pain on the mound, and I don’t focus on it.

The pain isn’t at a point where it will stop me.”

Ragus hasn’t been stopped, a good omen for St. Francis.

The Golden Knights needed three Mission League victories from Ragus in

the final month of the regular season to earn an at-large postseason

berth. Ragus’ final league win came against Alemany on May 8.

Not bad for an athlete who once had to sport half-body casts or

crutches and remained bedridden several months following most of the

surgeries.

“I grew accustomed to the pain through the years,” said Ragus, who

last had surgery in 1998 and will undergo another soon. “I can’t worry

about the external issues while trying to win a game. Sure, there is a

price to pay.”

That price meant throwing numerous pitches which translated into

victory for Ragus, a two-year varsity player who shut out Hoover in a

nonleague game April 25. He provided some spark for a Golden Knight squad

which began their season in a rut.

St. Francis’ offense regrouped to defeat Glendale, Hoover, St. Paul,

La Salle and Alemany.

“I never thought my career would be over,” said Ragus, who will attend

San Diego State in the fall. “I’ve always wanted to play ball and get my

arm in shape. I’ve been resting the leg all week. My arm feels good and

our team is on a roll.”

Second-year St. Francis Coach Jeff Durfee said Ragus’ success hinged

on participating in a stringent off-season program which included weight

training, running and throwing.

“He didn’t have the opportunity to pitch much last year,” Durfee said.

“He had some problems running early this season, but he never let the

pain affect him. That speaks large volumes for him.”

Enough for Durfee to choose Ragus to start today’s game.

Pain or not, Ragus won’t complain about his next assignment.

THE RAGUS FILE

Born: March 27, 1983.

Reside: Glendale.

Favorite baseball team: Los Angeles Dodgers.

Favorite baseball pitcher: Greg Maddux, Atlanta Braves.

Guide to successful pitching: “Location. Location. Location.”