Nolan Ryan

Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. (born January 31, 1947) is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for 27 years and still holds many major league pitching records, some of which are so far beyond previous marks that they are likely to stand for years to come, if not forever. He was most noted for his blazing fastball and his longevity, routinely throwing pitches exceeding 100 mph, even into his forties. The media tagged him with the nickname "The Ryan Express", referencing a 1965 action-adventure film called Von Ryan's Express.

Legacy

Given that he broke many of Sandy Koufax's records previously thought to be untouchable, Ryan is frequently compared to him much in the way that Hank Aaron is to Babe Ruth or Pete Rose to Ted Williams and Ty Cobb. There are many similarities; both started in the majors at a very young age and struggled early in their careers, both were primarily "extreme fastball" pitchers noted for achieving previously unprecedented strikeout totals and multiple no-hitters, and both were very closed and private away from the game (though Koufax more so than Ryan). It was said of Ryan that he started every game with the intention of striking everyone out. Koufax once admitted that he began every game with the intention of throwing a perfect game, and failing that, a shutout. They were also both very conscious of their value, and had occasional contract disputes with their owners. An astute businessman, Ryan readily admitted that the money was a large part of the reason he played as long as he did.

Related Topics:
Hank Aaron - Babe Ruth - Pete Rose - Ted Williams - Ty Cobb

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But there are many differences too: Koufax pitched left-handed and Ryan right-handed; despite his early troubles, Koufax played his entire career with one team whereas Ryan played for several. Koufax was blessed to play on some championship Dodgers teams, whereas Ryan found himself on mostly mediocre teams. Most importantly, thanks to a strong arm that could handle a lot of work, Ryan had one of the longest careers of any player, whereas Koufax's sterling career was cut short in its prime by arthritis and arm trouble. Nonetheless, both stand out as the premier "power pitchers" of their time, if not all-time.

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Ryan ranks first all-time in strikeouts (5714), fewest hits allowed per nine innings (6.56), fifth in innings pitched (5386), second in games started (773), seventh in shutouts (61) and tied for 13th in wins (324). He also ranks high on the list for three "negative" records; because he was wild as a young pitcher, he piled up the walks and ranks first all-time in walks allowed with 2795, in wild pitches with 277, and he also ranks third all-time in losses, with 292. Of all his accomplishments, Ryan never won the Cy Young Award. With all his mind-boggling stats, fans wondered what more he might have accomplished had he been able to play on one or more of the premier teams of his era.

Related Topics:
Shutout - Walks

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Nolan Ryan was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999, in his first year of eligibility. He was inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in 2003.

Related Topics:
Baseball Hall of Fame - 1999 - Texas Rangers Hall of Fame - 2003

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His current business interests include ownership of two minor league teams – the Corpus Christi Hooks, which play in the Class AA Texas League, and the Round Rock Express, a Class AAA team in the Pacific Coast League. Both teams are affiliates of the Houston Astros. He also appeared in TV ads for Advil for a number of years, a pain medication that he recommended for his own arm, and perhaps also for many opposing batters who found his pitching to be a headache.

Related Topics:
Minor league - Corpus Christi Hooks - Texas League - Round Rock Express - Pacific Coast League - Advil

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