When Ram Solis is on the mound at the Mule Yard, expect to see his silky smooth curve-ball from his left-handed delivery bend in and confuse hitters across Texas. Solis moved to Alamo Heights from McAllen at the start of high school and has made his presence felt as a consistent pitcher for the Mules ever since. This year he’s become a pitcher-only for the first time, giving him even more time to work on his pitching, making him all the more dangerous.
After two more great district wins to remain undefeated in district play, including a nail-biter against Brackenridge, Solis sat down to talk about the differences between McAllen and San Antonio, who he wishes he pitched like and why he loves the New York Yankees.
When did you start playing baseball?
I first started playing baseball probably since I can first remember. I have a picture of me with a glove on since I was like three, so it’s probably when it started.
When did you move to San Antonio?
I moved the summer going into freshman year of high school. My parents wanted to give me a better opportunity for baseball and just school all around. I expected it, but I really didn’t want to leave my friends in McAllen.
What was the biggest change when you got to San Antonio from McAllen baseball wise?
The competition is definitely better up here, but there are definitely teams down there that were still pretty high caliber.
What about the biggest change between McAllen and here in general?
In general I’d say it’s just like a lot bigger obviously. There’s a lot more people and the culture is pretty different. Even though they’re both kind of Mexican based cultures, it’s just kind of different.
What makes Alamo Heights baseball unique compared to some of the other places you’ve played?
I feel like the Alamo Heights baseball program is more serious in everything that they do. I like that, because I take baseball really seriously.
What has been your favorite memory with Alamo Heights baseball?
It might have been last year, my junior year, when we beat Dripping Springs. That was just a really big game for us. Even this year when we beat Lamar, they were fifth in the 6A rankings. It was pretty fun to beat that team.
What is your next step after high school?
My next step is I’ll be attending either Texas Tech or Texas State University. I haven’t really decided.
Do you know what you’ll be studying?
Physical therapy. I want to be a physical therapist.
When did you become a pitcher-only?
I became a pitcher-only this year.
What has that been like?
It’s been pretty fun. I just kind of sit around and do my own arm care stuff while the team is hitting and stuff. It’s pretty nice. It’s a good lifestyle.
Do you miss hitting?
I miss hitting a lot because when all the seniors went on the field trip, baseball seniors got to stay here and they all got their own [batting practice], and I was part of that. To swing the bat a little bit was nice. I do miss it a lot.
What is the best part of just being able to focus on pitching?
The best part is, since I was better at pitching, I get to perfect my craft and get better everyday.
Is there any pitcher you try to be like?
I definitely try to be like Clayton Kershaw. I just like everything that he does. He’s a really good pitcher all around. I wish I could [throw that curveball].
Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
In the morning I eat one single egg, just one egg the morning of a game with a glass of milk. One scrambled egg with sriracha. Love me some sriracha.
What’s your go-to song before a game?
I like “Suavemente” [by Elvis Crespo]. When I go into pitch I have a warm up song and it’s Brooks and Dunn, “Neon Moon.”
How about if you had to sing any song karaoke right now, which would you choose?
Probably “Careless Whisper” [ by George Michael].
Who is your favorite sports team?
The New York Yankees.
When did that start?
It kind of just started when I was young. My dad would sit me in front of a TV and I’d just watch baseball all the time. That’s one of the teams that I saw that was really good. My favorite player right now is Luis Severino, but my favorite player all time is Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez.
Who will win the World Series this year?
The Yankees, of course. Every year I say New York Yankees.
What’s your favorite television show?
Probably “Criminal minds.” I love that show. I love watching those types of shows.
What’s your favorite video game?
MLB [The Show] 19. It’s a really fun game.
Do you always play as the Yankees?
I have two rules. I either play with the Yankees or I play as my own player that I created. No other team ever.
How does the team compare from this year to last year?
Definitely this year we’re a lot more experienced because last year we had a lot of sophomores and juniors on the team. That kind of didn’t help us in one of the hardest districts in Texas. Now that we have the experience of being one of the last teams in our district to being first in our district this year, it’s a pretty good feeling to come back and do pretty well.
Do you feel pressure being undefeated this late in the season wanting to keep winning every game?
We do feel the pressure a lot from the community and from the school. There’s only one other team that’s been undefeated. I think it was the 2005 team, so it would be really good in the history books to be undefeated.
What’s your dream job outside of baseball?
I’d probably want to be an astronaut just because being in outer space sounds really cool to me. It sounds like an idea so far fetched that I’d love to experience it.
If you were stranded on an island with one person, who would you choose and why?
I’d definitely bring my dad. He’s just super survivalist if you will, so I feel like he knows a lot of that stuff.
If you could have dinner with three people, past or present, who would they be and why? What would you eat?
Sandy Koufax, Alex Rodriguez and Chance the Rapper. We would eat lamb chops with cheese, mashed potatoes and spinach.
How would that conversation go?
It’d be an interesting conversation because I don’t think Chance the Rapper knows a lot about baseball.
If you had to tell the world one thing about yourself, what would you say?
Just I’m a pretty nice guy all around.