Ryan, who made a successful return to the starting rotation last season, signed a four-year deal in November of 2008 ... his 259 games pitched with Chicago ranks third-most since 2000. © During his major league career, the righthander has four double-digit victory campaigns (2000-2002, 2008), and has surpassed the 200.0- innings mark four times. © Is a two-time N.L. All-Star, earning the honor in 2000 and 2008 ... in 2000, was the first Canadian pitcher to go to the Midsummer Classic since the Cubs' Fergie Jenkins in 1972. His career honors also include being named the MLB DHL Delivery Man of the Month in September 2005, winning the N.L. Player of the Week award in 2001, being selected as the Marlins' Opening Day starter in 2001 and going to Japan as part of the Major League All-Star tour after the 2000 campaign. © Struck out the side in the ninth inning of the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium ... became just the second pitcher in major league history to strike out the side in the ninth inning or later in an All-Star Game. The Milwaukee Braves' Gene Conley accomplished the feat in 1955 when he struck out the A.L.'s Al Kaline, Mickey Vernon and Al Rosen in the 12th inning (thanks to Elias Sports Bureau). © Made 121 starts for Florida from 1998-2002 ... when he was traded from the Marlins in mid-season 2002, he was that franchise's all-time leader in victories (42) and strikeouts (628). © Is 68-64 with a 4.64 ERA (616 ER/1195.1 IP) in 195 career starts. © Is one of four active pitchers to make at least 150 career starts and record at least 85 career saves. Joins Tom Gordon, John Smoltz and Derek Lowe to accomplish the feat. © Was named one of the 99 "Good Guys" in professional sports by The Sporting News in 2001. © Received the 2000 James "Tip" O'Neill Award, presented annually by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum to the Canadian baseball player judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to the highest ideals of baseball. © Participated in the 2002 All-Star Celebrity Challenge at the 52nd NHL All- Star Game in Los Angeles. © Was the Chicago Cubs nominee for the Roberto Clemente award in 2006 and 2008, which is given annually to the major league baseball player who combines outstanding skills on the field with devoted work in the community. In 2006, Ryan and his wife, Jenny, established a charitable ticket program called "Dempster's Dugout" that donated 500 tickets to local social service agencies that assist low-income children ... the program continued in the 2007 and 2008 seasons. © His charitable endeavors in 2003 included assisting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Garth Brooks' Teammates for Kids. © Following the 2001 season, he was presented with the All Heart Award by the Florida chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America - given to the Marlins player who best exemplifies the team's commitment to the South Florida community by making a positive impact and by serving as a role model for others. In 2000, he hosted children from the S.O.S. Children's Village at each of his home starts and he donated $10 for every strikeout ($2,090) to the KIDS THAT CARE Pediatric and Cancer Fund, established to help build a pediatric bone marrow transplant unit in Miami. © Graduated from Elphinstone Secondary School in Gibsons, British Columbia, in 1995 - he played baseball, basketball and soccer.

Ryan set a career high with 17 victories and was named to the N.L. All-Star Team in his return to the starting rotation after three seasons as Chicago's closer from 2005-2007. © The 17 victories ranked tied for third in the N.L. and tied for the team lead with Ted Lilly ... the 17 victories surpassed his previous career mark of 15 in 2001 with the Florida Marlins. © Went 14-3 at home, the most victories at Wrigley Field for a Cubs pitcher since Fergie Jenkins won a franchise-record 15 in 1967. Is the first pitcher with 14 home wins since Russ Ortiz had 14 wins for Atlanta in 2003 at Turner Field. Began the season 10-0 at home, the first Cub to accomplish the feat since Rick Reuschel in 1977. © Is just the second pitcher since 1969 to record 25 or more saves in a season then win at least 17 the following year ... former Tiger John Hiller had 38 saves in 1973 before going 17-14 in 1974. © His .227 opponent batting average was third-best in the N.L. ... his 2.96 ERA ranked fourth, as did his .739 winning percentage (17-6). © Recorded a 3-3 record with a 3.13 ERA (27 ER/77.2 IP) in 13 road starts. © Twice tied his career high with four-game winning streaks: April 3-30 (six GS) and May 26-June 22 (six GS). © Allowed just 14 home runs in 206.2 innings of work, including six in 129.0 innings pitched at Wrigley Field. Went 69.2 consecutive innings without allowing a home run at Wrigley Field from June 11-September 3. © Had 21 quality starts, tied with Ted Lilly for most among Cub pitchers. © Laid down 19 sacrifice bunts to lead the majors and set a franchise mark for a pitcher. © Went 8-4 with a 2.88 ERA (41 ER/128.0 IP) in 20 night games ... had a 9-2 ledger with a 3.09 ERA (27 ER/78.2 IP) in 13 day games. © Finished April 4-0 with a 3.16 ERA (13 ER/37.0 IP) in six starts. © Was 7-2 with a 2.52 ERA (23 ER/82.0 IP) in 13 starts after the All-Star break ... was 10-4 with a 3.25 ERA (45 ER/124.2 IP) in 20 starts prior to the break. © Went the distance for his only complete game of the season, June 11 against Atlanta ... struck out 11 and allowed two runs on four hits ... was his first complete game since September 25, 2002 at Wrigley with Cincinnati. © Got the nod in Game One of the NLDS vs. the Dodgers, his first career post-season start ... allowed seven walks in 4.2 innings of work in Chicago's 7-2 setback.