A pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, Ryan Walker has become a quiet but impactful leader, on the field and in the community, through his steadfast dedication to service, humility and compassion.
Since joining the Giants, Ryan’s embraced every opportunity to give back, treating community service not as an obligation, but as an extension of who he is. From the start, Ryan immersed himself in the Giants community efforts. He coached children with special needs at the Giants annual Fantasy Camp for Kids, visited San Quentin Prison to meet with its baseball team and enjoyed a visit to Family House, a nonprofit providing housing and support to families of children undergoing treatment at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.
These moments were just the beginning. In 2024, the Giants Community Relations team honored Ryan with their “Go-To-Guy” Award, recognizing his consistent and enthusiastic support of the organization’s outreach efforts.
In the Bay Area, Ryan’s involvement has only deepened. After visiting Family House, he and his wife, Alexis, began making regular visits, playing games with the children and handing out Giants-themed gifts. Through Big League Impact’s #ALLWIN campaign, Ryan pledged a donation to Family House for every strikeout he records this season, turning his on-field performance into tangible support for families in need.
His generosity has extended to George Mark Children’s House, which provides life-affirming pediatric care. Ryan and the Giants collaborated with Bay Area restaurateur Tony Gemignani to create a signature pizza sold in various locations through the Bay Area, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit. Ryan and Alexis recently served food at St. Anthony’s Foundation in the Tenderloin of San Francisco, touring the facilities and meeting many folks with smiles and hot food. These efforts reflect a recurring theme in Ryan’s service: When he encounters a mission that resonates with him, he finds meaningful ways to contribute -- financially, emotionally and physically.
Ryan’s commitment extends far beyond San Francisco. Throughout the 2025 season, he has made it a personal goal to lead a service project on every road trip the Giants take. In opposing cities, he arranges volunteer opportunities at food banks, soup kitchens and shelters, bringing teammates and their families with him. These events are not publicized or promoted. Instead, they are grounded in Ryan’s belief that service is about action, not attention. Despite this, his impact resonates. The Giants have received unsolicited calls and emails from individuals in cities across the country, sharing how moved they were by Ryan’s kindness, generosity and the humble spirit with which he serves. To date, Ryan has organized volunteer efforts in Houston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit and Denver, with plans for more to come.
Ryan’s faith is the powerful driver of his work. Ryan is establishing his own nonprofit, Jesus Over Baseball, which will provide baseball equipment, clothes and other resources to impoverished countries. Though reserved, he speaks openly about his values, including at the Giants annual Fellowship Day, participating in a postgame panel to discuss how his beliefs shape his actions, on and off the field. He has a clear sense of purpose, one that transcends baseball. For Ryan, community work isn’t extracurricular; it’s essential.
Ryan leads by example, never asking for recognition and never turning down an opportunity to give back. His authenticity and consistency have earned the respect of teammates, coaches and community members alike.
In June, Ryan was named one of MLB Players Trust’s Most Valuable Philanthropists. This acknowledgement reinforced what many already know: that Ryan Walker is the kind of player, and person, who gives his all -- quietly, wholeheartedly and without condition.
Ryan’s service doesn’t just reflect the best of baseball. It reflects the best of humanity. He exemplifies what it means to wear a Giants uniform with purpose.