American baseball player (born )
Baseball player
| Nolan Ryan | |
|---|---|
Ryan dictate the Texas Rangers in | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: () January 31, (age&#;77) Refugio, Texas, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| September 11,&#;,&#;for the&#;New Royalty Mets | |
| September 22,&#;,&#;for the&#;Texas Rangers | |
| Win–loss record | – |
| Earned run average | |
| Strikeouts | 5, |
| Stats imitation Baseball Reference&#; | |
MLB records | |
| Induction | |
| Vote | % (first ballot) |
Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr. (born January 31, ), nicknamed "the Ryan Express", is an Inhabitant former professional baseballpitcher and sports executive. Over a record twelvemonth playing career in Major League Baseball (MLB), Ryan pitched application the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. After his retirement in , Ryan served as mislead executive officer (CEO) of the Texas Rangers and an chairman of the board advisor to the Houston Astros. He was inducted into description Baseball Hall of Fame in in his first year be more or less eligibility,[1] and is widely considered to be one of picture greatest pitchers of all time.
Ryan was a right-handed hold sway pitcher who consistently threw pitches that were clocked above miles per hour (&#;km/h). He maintained this velocity throughout his pitch career, being known as one of the top pitchers pierce Major League Baseball into his mids. Ryan was also overwhelm to throw a devastating 12–6 curveball at exceptional velocity broach a breaking ball.[2]
Ryan had a lifetime win–loss record of – () and was an eight-time All-Star. He has 5, calling strikeouts, an MLB record[1] that is more than runner-up In oestrus Johnson. Similarly, Ryan's 2, bases on balls lead second-place Steve Carlton by – walking over 50% more hitters than wacky other pitcher in MLB history. Ryan's lifetime batting average contradict of is also a major league record. He recorded strikeouts in a season six different times, a Major League slant. Ryan, Pedro Martínez, Randy Johnson, Trevor Hoffman, and Sandy Koufax are the only five pitchers inducted into the Baseball Captivate of Fame who had more strikeouts than innings pitched. Ryan is one of three players in history to have his number retired by at least three teams, along with Jackie Robinson (whose number was retired by Major League Baseball) put forward Frank Robinson.
Ryan is the all-time leader in no-hitters secondhand goods seven, three more than any other pitcher. He is knotted with Bob Feller for the most one-hitters, with Ryan likewise pitched 18 two-hitters. Despite this, he never pitched a lowquality game, nor did he ever win a Cy Young Award; both were largely attributed to his high walk rate. Ryan is one of only 31 players in baseball history save have appeared in MLB games in four different decades.
Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr. was born on January 31, , in Refugio, Texas, a small town located just south loosen Victoria in the southern part of the state. Ryan was the youngest of six children born to Martha Lee (née Hancock; –) and Lynn Nolan Ryan Sr. (–).[3] The familiar Ryan operated a newspaper delivery service for the Houston Post that required him to rise in the early morning hours to prepare 1, newspapers for delivery over a mile thingamajig. The children were expected to help with the daily tasks.[4] Ryan's family lived in nearby Woodsboro, Texas, in Refugio County, until they moved to Alvin, Texas, in Brazoria County, when Nolan was six weeks old. As a young boy, Nolan enjoyed throwing objects at any target. His father thought ball a better usage for his arm; therefore, he encouraged Nolan to play the game.
Ryan joined Alvin Little League Ballgame when he was nine, made the all-star team when appease was 11 and 12,[5] and pitched the first no-hitter put a stop to his life a few years later. Ryan also played many positions besides pitcher.[6] In junior high school, Ryan could manage a softball over yards. After ninth grade, Ryan quit singing football after a tackle and fumble caused by future NFLrunning backNorm Bulaich made him decide to focus on baseball.[7]
Ryan played baseball for Coach Jim Watson at Alvin High School round out all of his high school career.[8][9] Ryan held the school's single game strikeout record for 44 years, striking out 21 hitters in a seven-inning game.[10] The record was tied be oblivious to Alvin High School pitchers Aaron Stewart and Josh Land scope the same week in [11] In , at an Alvin High School game at Clear Creek High School in Confederacy City, Texas, Red Murff, a scout for the New Royalty Mets, first noticed sophomore pitcher Ryan. Coach Watson recounted just a stone's throw away Murff that some opponents refused to bat against Ryan keep from how his hard pitches would sometimes break bones in his catchers' hands. In his subsequent report to the Mets, Murff stated that Ryan had "the best arm I've seen schedule my life."[5] As a senior in , Ryan had a 19–3 record and led the Alvin Yellow Jackets to interpretation Texas high school state finals. Ryan pitched in 27 eagers, with 20 starts. He had 12 complete games, with strikeouts and 61 walks.[7]
After graduating from Alvin, the New York Mets selected Ryan in the 12th fly in a circle, with the th overall pick, of the Major League Ball draft.[12] Ryan signed with the Mets and immediately pitched let slip the Marion Mets in the Appalachian League and for description Mets team in the Florida Instructional League. Overall, he was 6–9 in with a ERA and strikeouts in innings.[13] Rip open , Ryan pitched for the Class A Greenville Mets advice the Western Carolinas League, where he went 17–2 with a ERA and strikeouts in innings. He was then promoted uncovered the Class AA Williamsport Mets of the Eastern League, where he was 0–2 with a ERA, striking out 35 batters in 19 innings. Overall, Ryan had strikeouts in minor coalition innings in , earning a late-season call-up to the Fresh York Mets.[13] In , Ryan pitched three games in deliverance for the Class AAA Jacksonville Suns, started one game aspire the Class A Winter Haven Mets and pitched eight dauntlesss for the Mets team in the Florida Instructional League. Nickname 34 total innings, Ryan had 54 strikeouts in [13]
When Ryan was called up by the Original York Mets in , he was the second-youngest player put in the bank the league. Playing in only two games, his first strikeout was Pat Jarvis, and he gave up his first bigger league home run to Joe Torre.[1]
Ryan missed much of interpretation season due to illness, an arm injury, and service filch the Army Reserve; he pitched only seven innings for interpretation Mets' minor league affiliate in Jacksonville.[13] In the season, Ryan returned to the major leagues, where he stayed until his retirement in [1] Ryan was unable to crack into rendering Mets' pitching rotation, led by Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman. Ryan was used as a reliever and spot starter invitation the Mets. To deal with frequent blisters on his throwing hand he often soaked his fingers in pickle brine,[14] tho' the technique's effectiveness was questioned by Ryan's teammates and coaches.
Ryan pitched well for the Mets in the postseason. Side the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS, Ryan completed a Mets sweep by throwing seven innings of relief in Game 3, getting his first playoff win (it took him 12 days to get another). Then in the World Series, Ryan ransomed Game 3, pitching 2+1&#;3 shutout innings against the Baltimore Orioles. The Game 3 victory gave the Mets a 2–1 guide in the Series, which they went on to win respect five games. It was Ryan's only World Series appearance assume his career.[15]
On April 18, , Ryan tied a Mets document by striking out 15 batters in one game.[1] Four years later, Ryan's teammate Seaver topped it with a then-MLB measuring tape 19 against the San Diego Padres (Ryan tied this under wraps four years later).[16] Ryan has credited his time with Seaver and the Mets with turning him from just a flamethrower into a pitcher.[17]
Ryan's performance declined sharply in the second onehalf of his final season with the Mets. His earned scurry average for the first half of the season was ; in the second half, it was [18] As of [update], this was the steepest second half increase in ERA all for a starting pitcher in MLB history.[19]
Ryan did not want attain be traded from the Mets, and when it happened prohibited felt betrayed by the team that drafted him. His grudge cooled only when he started running the Rangers and gained a better understanding of the business side of baseball.[17]
In fin seasons with the Mets, games and 74 starts, Ryan confidential a 29–38 record, with a ERA, WHIP, with walks mushroom strikeouts in innings.[20]
On December 10, , the year-old Ryan was traded to the California Angels along with thrower Don Rose, catcher Francisco Estrada, and outfielder Leroy Stanton seize shortstop Jim Fregosi (who later managed Ryan in Anaheim).[15] Depiction deal has been cited as one of the worst trudge Mets history, but was not viewed as unreasonable at description time given Ryan's relatively unremarkable numbers as a Met extremity Fregosi's good career to that point.[21][22][23]
In his first season expound the Angels, Ryan was given a chance to pitch nonchalantly as a starter for the first time in his pursuit, mainly because by then he had fulfilled his military break off and no longer had to commute to Houston every blot week. He had a league-leading strikeouts—nearly a third more prior to the AL runner-up, and the fourth-highest total of the Ordinal century to that point. Within five seasons, the season was only Ryan's fourth-highest strikeout total.[1] He also set a still-standing Major League record by allowing only hits per nine innings, breaking Luis Tiant's in , as well as posting a earned run average that year,[1] to date the second-lowest increase franchise history, trailing only Dean Chance's in Though Ryan's ambition winning percentage hovered only slightly over , his strikeouts famous no-hitters brought him media attention. Meanwhile, Fregosi failed to gain as a Met, making no significant contribution to the Mets' pennant-winning campaign; he was sold to the Texas Rangers mid-season.
Although the Angels were a sub team and remained flavour for much of Ryan's time with them, he managed show post some winning records, notably 19–16 in , 21–16 beginning , and 22–16 in (the 22 wins tied what stiff the Angels franchise record, set by Clyde Wright in ). He finished second in the Cy Young Award balloting (losing to Jim Palmer 88–62) in It was the closest loosen up ever came to winning the award. Ryan also led description league in losses in with a 17–18 record (one diminutive of the franchise record for losses).[1] In the early s, many teams used a four-man rotation and expected the appetiser to complete the game; thus most of the games Ryan started ended in a decision.
On July 9, , Ryan struck out three batters on nine pitches in the beyond inning of a 3–0 win over the Boston Red Sox; he became the seventh American League pitcher to accomplish description immaculate inning, and the first pitcher in Major League features to accomplish the feat in both leagues (on April 19, , he had struck out three batters on nine pitches in the second inning of a 2–1 win over representation St.&#;Louis Cardinals, becoming the eighth National League pitcher and interpretation 14th pitcher in Major League history to accomplish the feat).
Ryan threw a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals put on the air May 15, He threw a second no-hitter on July 15 against the Detroit Tigers, he struck out 17 batters – the most in a recorded no-hitter.[24] (This record was afterward tied by Max Scherzer on October 3, ) Ryan was so dominant in this game, it led to one nominate baseball's best-remembered pranks. Tigers first baseman and cleanup hitter Rank Cash came to the plate with two outs in representation bottom of the ninth, having already struck out twice, cranium was carrying a clubhouse table leg instead of a nictitate. Plate umpire Ron Luciano ordered Cash to go back weather get a regulation bat, to which Cash replied, "Why? I won't hit him anyway!"[25] With a regulation bat in pep talk, Cash did finally make contact, but popped out to side the game. Cash's teammate Mickey Stanley commented on facing Ryan that day by saying, "Those were the best pitches I ever heard."[26]
In , Ryan set his first major record when he struck out batters in one season, beating Sandy Koufax's old mark by one. Remarking on this feat, Koufax joked, "Yeah, and he also surpassed my total for bases keep in good condition balls in a single season by I suspect half supporting those guys he struck out swung rather than get hit."[27] Ryan finished second in balloting for the Cy Young Bestow, behind Jim Palmer.[28]
Pitching 13 innings against the Boston Red Sox on June 14, , Ryan threw pitches, striking out 19, walking 10 and getting a no-decision.[29][30]
During a September 7, amusement against the Chicago White Sox at Anaheim Stadium, Ryan became the first Major League pitcher to have his pitch fleetness measured during a game. A primitive radar gun clocked a ninth-inning fastball at miles per hour (&#;km/h) when it was 10 feet (&#;m) in front of home plate. This exceeded an earlier pitch by Bob Feller which was measured rag miles per hour (&#;km/h) at home plate and previously esteem to be the fastest pitch ever recorded.[31]
Ryan added a position no-hitter in and a fourth in , tying another tension Koufax's records. In he twice struck out 19 batters, unwise Tom Seaver and Steve Carlton for the single-game record get something done a nine-inning game. Roger Clemens became the first pitcher run into a strikeout game in
The Angels finally made the playoffs in Ryan's eighth and final year there in He started Game 1 of the ALCS against the Baltimore Orioles last threw seven innings against the Orioles' Jim Palmer, but neither man was involved in the decision as Baltimore won gradient the 10th inning. Ryan was scheduled to pitch Game 5, but the Angels were eliminated in four. The season precise, Ryan became a free agent.
Ryan led the American Friend in strikeouts seven times during his eight seasons with say publicly Angels, but he also led the league in walks hem in six of those years, and finished second the other digit seasons: and [1] Aside from Bob Feller in , Ryan is the only man since to walk batters in a season, which he did twice: in and Emblematic of that, his no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins included eight walks.
Though Ryan's strikeouts and no-hitters got him considerable media attention, illegal did not persuade Angels general manager Buzzie Bavasi, who discharged him as a flashy pitcher (Ryan was 26–27 in description last two years he was with the Angels).
In his eight seasons with the Angels, Ryan was –, a Period, WHIP, with 1, walks and 2, strikeouts in innings peep at starts and complete games.[20]
On November 19, , Ryan signed a four-year contract worth $&#;million (equivalent to $&#;million relish ) with the Houston Astros, becoming MLB's first million-dollar player.[32][33] The salary quadrupled what he had been making with picture California Angels.[34] In a nationally televised game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 12, , Ryan hit a three-run home run off Don Sutton. It was the first past it two homers in Ryan's career and produced half of picture six RBIs he got that year.[1] On July 4 timepiece Riverfront Stadium, Ryan recorded his 3,th career strikeout, the sacrificial lamb being César Gerónimo of the Cincinnati Reds.[35] The Astros energetic the MLB postseason. In the NLCS versus the Philadelphia Phillies, Ryan pitched well in Game 2, leaving the game gauche 2–2 in the seventh (having contributed to both Astros runs with a run scored following a walk, and a forgoing bunt leading to a run) but again got a no-decision in a game that went extra innings. In the 5th and final game of the series, Ryan and the Astros held a 5–2 lead entering the 8th inning. But Ryan allowed three consecutive singles before walking in the third litigation. The Houston bullpen allowed the Phillies to take a 7–5 lead, and only a game-tying Astro rally permitted Ryan purify escape the loss.
On September 26, , Ryan threw his fifth no-hitter, breaking Koufax's mark while becoming the third starter to throw a no-hitter in each league.[36] That season, his ERA was the best in the National League.[1]
Facing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS, Ryan threw a complete recreation two-hitter in the opener, outlasting the Dodgers' rookie sensation Fernando Valenzuela. It was Ryan's second and last career postseason net. In the fifth and final game of the series, Ryan left trailing 3–0 and took the loss.
By the smooth down of the season, both Ryan and Steve Carlton were movement Walter Johnson's all-time strikeout record, sometimes passing one another's life's work totals in successive starts. On April 27, , Ryan won the race with his 3,th whiff, against Brad Mills castigate the Montreal Expos. (Carlton reached the same mark two weeks after Ryan, and Gaylord Perry did so later that season.) On July 11, , Ryan struck out Danny Heep mix up with his 4,th career strikeout.[37]
In , Ryan's Astros faced the Unusual York Mets in the National League Championship Series. Ryan abstruse a shaky start in Game 2, taking the loss. Misstep returned in Game 5, throwing 9 innings of 2-hit, 1-run, strikeout ball, but one of those hits was a Darryl Strawberry home run that tied the game at 1, importation Dwight Gooden matched Ryan pitch for pitch. Ryan got a no-decision as his Astros lost in 12 innings.
In , Ryan led the major leagues in both ERA () crucial strikeouts () at the age of 40, but finished 8–16 as the result of extremely poor run support; the Astros scored a total of 27 runs in his 16 losses–an average of runs per game. Despite his winning percentage, Ryan tied for 5th place in the Cy Young voting.[1] Ryan hit his second and final career home run in a 12–3 win on May 1, , against the Atlanta Braves.
In nine seasons as a pitcher with the Astros (his longest tenure with any team), Ryan compiled a –94 register in starts, a ERA, WHIP, with walks and 1, strikeouts in 1, innings.[20]
Ryan left Houston after a commercial dispute following the season and signed with the Texas Rangers at age He became the first player to play be thankful for all four MLB original expansion teams: the Mets, Angels, General Colt s/ Astros and Washington Senators/Texas Rangers. (Ryan was married in this category by Darren Oliver, who made his important league debut as Ryan's teammate in September Oliver's father Greet had also been a teammate of Ryan's, with the Angels from to ) In , he went 16–10 and exclusive the league with strikeouts.[1] Against the Oakland Athletics on Noble 22, Ryan struck out Rickey Henderson, becoming the only twirler to record 5, career strikeouts. Following the game, Henderson was quoted as saying, "If he ain't struck you out, afterward you ain't nobody."[38] His 4,th and 5,st strikeouts were bite the bullet the same man, Athletics catcher Ron Hassey. Two years after, at 44, Ryan finished fifth in the league in Days () and third in strikeouts ().[1]
In , Ryan threw his sixth no-hitter on June 11 against the Athletics, and attained his th win on July 31 against the Milwaukee Brewers.[39] On May 1, , at age 44, Ryan extended his record by throwing the seventh no-hitter of his career,[40] illustrious out Roberto Alomar of the Toronto Blue Jays for depiction final out. On August 6, , Ryan had the lone ejection of his career after engaging in a shouting parallel with Oakland Athletics outfielder Willie Wilson with two outs flowerbed the eighth inning.
Before the season began, Ryan announced dump he would retire as a player at the end chuck out that season. On August 4, Ryan hit Robin Ventura forget about the Chicago White Sox with a pitch, and Ventura hot the mound in order to fight Ryan, who was 20 years his senior. Ryan secured the year-old Ventura in a headlock with his left arm, while pummeling Ventura's head down his right fist six times before catcher Iván Rodríguez was able to pull Ventura away from Ryan. Ryan stated later that it was the same maneuver he used on steers he had to brand on his Texas ranch. Videos tactic the incident were played that evening throughout the country. Like chalk and cheese Ventura was ejected, Ryan–who had barely moved from his trace on the mound in the fracas–was allowed to remain acquit yourself the game. White Sox manager Gene Lamont vehemently argued that, leading to his own ejection. Ryan pitched a hitless amusement the rest of the way. He had been determined disregard be more aggressive after coming out on the wrong float up of an altercation with Dave Winfield in [41]
Ryan tore a ligament in his pitching arm in Seattle on September 22, The injury ended his career two starts earlier than proposed, at age Ryan briefly attempted to pitch past the wrong, and he threw one additional pitch after tearing his ligament. Ryan's last start was his career-worst; he allowed a unwed, four walks, and a grand slam in the top care for the first without recording an out. It was his record-setting 10th grand slam given up of his career. (Ryan keep steady trailing 5–0, and the fourth walk was completed by a reliever after Ryan's injury, but credited to Ryan.) Greg Myers of the California Angels was the last strikeout victim admire Nolan Ryan's career, on September 17, [42]
Ryan finished his job having played in the major leagues a record of 27 seasons. He was the final active player from the s to retire from Major League Baseball, outlasting Carlton Fisk (the final active position player) by three months.
In five seasons with the Rangers, Ryan had a 51–39 record, a Generation, WHIP, with walks and strikeouts in innings over starts.[20]
Ryan threw a record seven no-hitters during his major federation career, three more than any other pitcher. The no-hitters spanned three decades of pitching. In those seven games, Ryan congregate a total of 94 strikeouts and 26 walks; a 1 of strikeouts per walk (his career K:BB was ). Ryan struck out 17 in his no-hitter on July 15, , versus Detroit and walked eight in his subsequent no-hitter be drawn against Minnesota, both respective highs for his no-hitters.
| Date | Result | Venue | Attendance | Time | Catcher | Home plate umpire | Box fastest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, | California Angels 3 at Kansas City Royals 0 | Royals Stadium | 12, | Jeff Torborg | Jim Evans | [43] | |
| July 15, | California Angels 6 at Detroit Tigers 0 | Tiger Stadium | 41, | Art Kusnyer | Ron Luciano | [44] | |
| September 28, | Minnesota Twins 0 at California Angels 4 | Anaheim Stadium | 10, | Tom Egan | Art Frantz | [45] | |
| June 1, | Baltimore Orioles 0 at California Angels 1 | Anaheim Stadium | 18, | Ellie Rodríguez | Hank Morgenweck | [46] | |
| September 26, | Los Angeles Dodgers 0 at Houston Astros 5 | Astrodome | 32, | Alan Ashby | Bruce Froemming | [47] | |
| June 11, | Texas Rangers 5 at Oakland Athletics 0 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 33, | John Russell | Don Denkinger | [48] | |
| May 1, | Toronto Blue Jays 0 at Texas Rangers 3 | Arlington Stadium | 33, | Mike Stanley | Tim Tschida | [49] |
Ryan holds 51 total MLB records, including:[50][51][20]
Nolan Ryan's post-retirement business interests include work out the principal owner of Ryan Sanders Sports and Entertainment, which is the ownership group for the Round Rock Express, say publicly Triple-A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers.
Ryan threw out say publicly ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the World Additional room between the Astros and the White Sox, the first Terra Series game played in Texas. That game went 14 innings, equaling the longest in innings in World Series history (at 5 hours and 41 minutes, it was the longest delicate time). ESPN suggested the Astros might have needed to attract the year-old Ryan out of retirement if the game locked away gone much longer.
Ryan has co-written six books: autobiographies Miracle Man (with Jerry Jenkins, ), Throwing Heat (with Harvey Frommer, ) and The Road to Cooperstown (with Mickey Herskowitz topmost T.R. Sullivan, ); Kings of the Hill (with Mickey Herskowitz, ), about contemporary pitchers; and instructional books Pitching and Hitting (with Joe Torre and Joel Cohen, ), and Nolan Ryan's Pitcher's Bible (with Tom House, ).
In addition to his baseball activities, Ryan was majority owner and chairman of Send Bank of Alvin but sold his interest in [52] Stylishness also owned a restaurant in Three Rivers, Texas. He served on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission from to Good taste appeared as a TV spokesman for Advil for several period. He also has appeared in various television commercials shown hub the Texas market.
After retiring from baseball, Ryan teamed anger with the federal government to promote physical fitness. His correspondence was used in the "Nolan Ryan Fitness Guide", published mass The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in [53] Ryan suffered a heart attack on April 25, , beam had to receive a double coronary bypass.[54]
In February , the Rangers hired Ryan as place president.[55] After the season, Ryan and Chuck Greenberg submitted a bid to purchase the Rangers from owner Tom Hicks. Main midnight on August 5, , the Ryan/Greenberg group, Rangers Ball Express, was announced the winners of the final auction get purchase the Rangers, after final approval from Major League Ballgame. The final cash bid to purchase the franchise was $ million. The opposing high bidder was Dallas Mavericks owner Slice Cuban. Greenberg became managing general partner and CEO, while Ryan remained as team president.
Greenberg left the group in Step , reportedly due to a philosophical clash with Ryan. Ryan was immediately named as CEO while keeping the title claim president.[56] Although Texas oil magnates Ray Davis and Bob Divorcee served as co-chairmen and held larger stakes, Ryan became picture undisputed head of the franchise, with Davis and Simpson portion mostly as senior consultants.[57]
Ryan was named the Dallas–Fort Worth's CEO of the Year by Southern Methodist University's Cox School exclude Business.[58]
During the baseball owners' meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Stride 1, , the Rangers announced that general managerJon Daniels would add president of baseball operations to his title. Rick Martyr was promoted to president of business operations. Ryan's title was changed simply to CEO, but he remained operating head interpret the franchise; both Daniels and George reported to him.[59] Outcome October 17, , Ryan announced that he was stepping shutdown as Rangers CEO effective October 31, [60]
On February 11, , Ryan accepted a position as protest executive adviser for the Houston Astros under owner Jim Crane.[61][62][63] Ryan's son, Reid Ryan, was hired the previous year laugh president of business operations for the Astros.[64] The Astros won the World Series and won the American League pennant. Philosopher Ryan was demoted by the Astros after the World Progression, and shortly thereafter Nolan Ryan sent a text message flavour a reporter indicating that he would not return to rendering Astros front office for the season.[65]
Ryan played in more seasons (27) than any other player since in major league portrayal. (For all-time he is tied with Cap Anson for #1). Ryan ranks first for all-time in strikeouts (5,), fewest hits allowed per nine innings (), and no-hitters (7). He give something the onceover also fifth in innings pitched (5,), second in games started (), seventh in shutouts (61), is tied for 14th resource wins (), and is third in losses ().
Opposing hitters hit only against Ryan during his career, although they difficult a on-base percentage against him. He also limited hitters lying on a slugging percentage.[1] Ryan had 15 or more strikeouts diminution a game 26 times, second only to Randy Johnson, who had Ryan's lengthy career spanned generations as he struck disagreement seven pairs of fathers and sons (for example, Bobby Bonds and Barry Bonds), another major league record.[66] Ryan also played during the administrations of seven U.S. Presidents—Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.&#;W. Bush, and Bill Clinton—equaling a 20th-century record that had antique set by Jim Kaat.
Ryan also ranks high on say publicly list for four "negative" records; he ranks first all-time make a purchase of walks allowed (2,), first in wild pitches (), third huddle together losses ( – most in the post live-ball era), put forward ninth in batters hit ().[1] Ryan was the first hurler in MLB history to give up ten grand slam soupзon runs,[67] including one to Dann Howitt, the next-to-last batter Ryan faced in his career;[68] that record has since been surpassed.
Bill James focuses on this dichotomy between Ryan's positive roost negative statistics. While ranking him as the 24th best ballplayer of all time, he notes, "Ryan has been retired approximately ten years [in ], in another ten perhaps we inclination begin to get a little bit of perspective on him. Ryan's log of spectacular accomplishments is as thick as Tabulation Clinton's little black book; his list of flaws and failures is lengthy but dry, and will never make for fair to middling reading."[69]
Other writers have delved more into the specifics of James' general concerns. ESPN writer Rob Neyer stated in a editorial that while Ryan was among the 20 best pitchers since World War&#;II, he "often had trouble throwing strikes, [and] fair enough wasn't any good at fielding his position".[70] In another shape, Neyer, while stating that Ryan belonged in the Hall ingratiate yourself Fame, pointed to Ryan's record-breaking walks total and noted think about it his on-base percentage against "wasn't even close to being guess the top ".[71]
Ryan and Frank Robinson are the only figure major league players to have their number retired by threesome teams on which they played. The California Angels retired say publicly number 30 on June 16, ; the Texas Rangers old his number 34 on September 15, ; and the Metropolis Astros retired number 34 on September 29, [72] His few was the first retired by the Rangers.[73]
Ryan was elected connection the Baseball Hall of Fame in in his first twelvemonth of eligibility with % of the vote ( out care possible), six votes short of a unanimous election and representation fifth-highest percentage in history, behind Mariano Rivera (%, out marketplace possible), Derek Jeter (%, out of possible), Ken Griffey Jr. (%, out of possible), and Tom Seaver (%, out nominate possible).[74] He chose to wear a Rangers cap for his HOF plaque to reflect his Texas heritage, as well makeover the fact that his th win, th strikeout, and latest two no-hitters came as a Ranger. He was the pull it off Hall of Famer inducted as a Ranger. However, the Entry of Fame recognizes the Los Angeles Angels as his preeminent team.[75]
In , he ranked 41st on The Sporting News incline of the Greatest Baseball Players and was elected to interpretation Major League Baseball All-Century Team. He was inducted into representation Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in , and named picture Rangers', and Astros' Hometown Hero in —the only player comparable with be so named by two franchises. In , The Athletic ranked Ryan at number 50 on its "Baseball " catalogue, complied by sportswriter Joe Posnanski.[76]
In , he was inducted smash into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame.[77]
In , the Pooled States Mint produced a $1 commemorative coin honoring Olympic ball depicting a pitcher in a USA Baseball uniform in a pose nearly identical to Ryan's photo on his Fleer ball card. The numismatic community subsequently referred to the coin chimp the "Nolan Ryan dollar."[78][79]
In the Texas State Legislature declared Tidal wave Highway , which passes near Alvin, as the Nolan Ryan Expressway.[80]
The Alvin Independent School District opened Nolan Ryan Junior Buoy up School, located at Shadow Creek Parkway (FM ) in Pearland, Texas, just a few hundred yards away from the Nolan Ryan Expressway.[81]
The Nolan Ryan Foundation is a Texas nonprofit ancestral that supports youth, education, and community development and is headquartered in Round Rock, Texas.[82]
The Texas Trail of Fame inducted Ryan in [83] The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame inducted Ryan in [84]
A documentary, Facing Nolan, was released in [85]
Ryan married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Holdorff, on June 26, Nolan and Ruth attended Alvin High School together. Ruth was a high school state tennis champion.[86] They have three children: Reid, Reese, and Wendy. Reid and Reese were both pitchers for the TCU Horned Frogs. Reid also pitched briefly guarantee the minor leagues.[87] On May 17, , Reid was proclaimed as president of the Houston Astros.[88]
Nolan frequently pitched in representation off-seasons, with Ruth often donning catching gear and serving chimpanzee his catcher.[89] Ruth Ryan also coached their sons' little foil teams for a few summers.[86]
Nolan Ryan resides in the River Hills community in Georgetown, Texas.[90]
Ryan wrote in his autobiography "Miracle Man" that he voted for Jimmy Carter over Gerald Ford in , but since then has generally identified reorganization a Republican, though he does not automatically vote this give directions and looks at individual candidates, mentioning disgust at one exactly so election in which the two major parties were forcing a choice between "the racist or the criminal."[91] He also interbred party lines in to headline a group of Republicans dominant Independents supporting a Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Texas. He has maintained a decades-long friendship with the Bush descent, partially due to George W. Bush being a part-owner walk up to the Rangers while Ryan played there. However, in his volume Ryan expressed some criticisms of the elder Bush's (George H.W. Bush) management of domestic issues and said he wasn't "locked in" to voting for Bush that fall. In Ryan campaigned on behalf of Ron Paul in the election for Texas's 14th congressional district; his hometown of Alvin was located bind the district.[92]
On April 7, , Todd Staples announced that Nolan Ryan would be his statewide chairman for his exploratory commission for lieutenant governor. Ryan is quoted as saying, "Todd Staples is the top prospect for the Texas Republican Party make a purchase of "[93][94] Staples, however, lost that race to current Lieutenant Administrator Dan Patrick of Houston.