• • •

but that won't offer the same compet-
itive challenge as high school ball.
"Jared and I, we could both go on
and play at a small college if we wanted
to," Ryan said. "However, seeing that
it's more important to head out into life
and try to be successful in other areas,
there was never any other choice."
They've played three years together
as Andover starters, Ryan in the out-
field and Jared in the infield.
Ryan hit .360 last season and
earned All-OAA and second team All-
Area honors. Jared's season was ham-
pered by a rotator cuff injury which
put him out of action for two weeks.
But in typical fashion, Jared used his
time off to help his brother.
The brothers may not have a sib-
ling rivalry, but they are competitive
with each other. They just make sure
the competition is positive.
This year, both Kaplans are
healthy, they're both hitting for high-
er averages and with more power than
ever. Ryan continues to do a solid
defensive job in centerfield — he's
committed just rwo errors in three
seasons — while Jared, a two-year

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Ryan Kaplan looks in at a pitch thrown
by brother Jared.

starter at second base, has made the
transition to shortstop.
"They're the kind of guys you hate
to play against, but you love to have
on your team," Divito said.
Ryan said when his final baseball
season ends, "I know I'll be in shock.
It's the No. 1 thing in my life."
Jared added, "I want to end my
career on the highest note I've ever
been on so I can kind of say that I
haven't left anything out there."
They agree that the one constant
in their lives will be each other.
"I always want to maintain the
same type of relationship I have
now," Ryan said. "While that might
be difficult, it's so special to have
someone your own age who shares
the same interests as you. You never
want to let go of that." 111

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5/22
1998

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