Tools of Intelligence passed on from Father to Son

Monday, July 27, Corvallis, Ore. – Randy Rutschman was the Knights very first field manager. Back in those days, he caught too. Every pitcher wanted to throw to Rutsch. No one received better, he was positive, and he was a great communicator not to mention Rutsch’s catching acumen was off the charts.

Rutsch coached summer ball with the Knights from 1999 through 2004 and made a point to bring his only son on trips and to games. His son is Baltimore Orioles All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman.

Adley led Oregon State to the 2018 College World Series title and was the #1 pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.

Randy never pushed baseball, he let Adley embrace the game on his terms. Early, chasing snakes and throwing rocks were Adley’s preferred activities. Later, he asked dad to play catch and throw batting practice. Over time, young Adley would catch baseball fever and ask for more and more from his pops.

There was no travel ball or pressure, just catch, batting practice and catching insights from dad. Rinse and repeat.

Randy let Adley be a kid.

While at Sherwood High School, Adley was best known for being a football player, an exceptional running back, linebacker and record-breaking kicker. He later blossomed in baseball, first as a pitcher. But he was born to catch.

As a high schooler, Randy made sure Adley got some experience catching college pitchers by bringing his aspiring disciple to Goss Stadium in the summer to catch in the Corvallis Knights bullpen.

Knights head coach Brooke Knight wasn’t sure but approved the visits and was impressed with his fill-in bullpen catcher.

After a couple summers catching bullpens, Adley supplemented his summer experience with Portland Baseball Club by competing with the Knights in 2016 as an incoming freshman before transitioning to Oregon State football in early August.

The rest is history – a storied collegiate career at Oregon State and quick ascension to the big leagues, highlighted by a 2024 MLB All-Star Game appearance in Seattle at T-Mobile Park and participation in the ASG Home Run Derby where Randy once again threw to Adley.

“The Knights advanced my professional career as well as my son’s career,” said Randy Rutschman. “Great relationships, great people, great results, that’s how the Knights do it.”

The Corvallis Knights are honoring father and son and the beauty of dads and their boys connecting through baseball by introducing a Rutschman Bobblehead this Friday – featuring Randy and Adley.

This is the Rutschman way.

On Friday, July 31, make sure to get to Goss Stadium early to get your Randy & Adley Rutschman Bobblehead.