Ryan Lemond's Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (A Birthday Celebration)

Believe it or not, Ryan Lemond turns 55 years old today. KSR’s lovable radio personality may act 25 at times, or even 5, but he is already five years removed from the infamous 50th birthday block party that shut down a neighborhood, and only five years away from a 10-percent discount at Waffle House, his favorite restaurant.

Ryan is the best. If you listen to Kentucky Sports Radio in the mornings, you know that. He may not always have the most informed opinions (or injury reports) about the latest around UK sports, and he has a way of butchering many of society’s most common phrases, but he has a heart of gold and is a friend to everyone — except you, Scott County.

On this morning’s show, Matt Jones’ mom made a rare on-air appearance with a surprise phone call to the show to thank Ryan for being a “big brother” to Matt over the years. “Ryan Lemond, you are one of the best people I have ever known,” she said in her birthday wishes.

Listen to her comments at the 25:00 mark of today’s podcast:

Matt’s mom is right. Ryan is as good a guy you’ll find anywhere and a big brother to Matt, Shannon, and me on the show, and we’re only three of many people lucky to have Ryan in their lives.

The butt of most jokes, it’s only right to celebrate his 55th birthday with a couple of laughs from some of his greatest (or not-so greatest) hits.

Roll the tape.

Pep Talks

Of the many talents beneath that free t-shirt, Ryan’s uplifting pep talks may be his best. With too many to count, I’ll share one of my favorites: his speech at Country Boy Brewing the day before the Florida game in 2019. (NSFW)

Working on his 8s

Back when “Hey Kentucky” was a thing, which was fun, Ryan made us laugh harder than ever before during a promo shoot for the show’s SEC Tournament road trip. It was funny enough when we saw his outfit and the car he was driving that day, but we couldn’t breathe when he “worked on his 8s” during the unscripted conversation.

Home run (definitely not a foul ball) off Matt Jones

Down two with a 1-0 count, no outs, and former UK guard Dale Brown in scoring position, Ryan smoked a pitch from Matt Jones deep over the left field wall for a clear home run to even the score in the John Calipari Charity Softball Game. However, the umpire saw it the other way and incorrectly ruled the rocket a foul ball instead.

It was the worst call since Don Denkinger signaled Jorge Orta safe in the ’85 World series.

The infamous Derby slam

Maybe the lowest point in Ryan’s professional career, a younger version of himself was thrown into the mud during a live TV report from inside the Kentucky Derby infield. He handled it with a smile as only Ryan can, but deep down inside it was no laughing matter. Always a good sport though.

Putt For Prison Challenge

On second thought, this is the lowest point in Ryan’s professional career and in his life: the time he missed five 5-foot putts on live TV. A hypothetical radio bit turned reality, the challenge was five putts from five feet away; a made putt equaled $1,000 to charity; a miss meant two nights in KSJail, a tiny jail cell in KSBar and Grille where he’d spend 23 hours a day, for two consecutive days, with each missed putt.

He missed all five.

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Ryan, if you’re reading this, I hope you’re enjoying the margartia(s) on the table in front of you and Happy Birthday from everyone at KSR.