Nolan Ryan

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Lore & Background

Ryan was a right-handed power pitcher who consistently threw pitches that were clocked above 100 miles per hour (161 km/h), being one of the first pitchers to officially be able to do so. He maintained this velocity throughout his pitching career, being known as one of the top pitchers in Major League Baseball into his mid-40s. Ryan was also known to throw a devastating 12–6 curveball at exceptional velocity for a breaking ball. Ryan had a lifetime win–loss record of 324–292 (.526) and was an eight-time All-Star. He has 5,714 career strikeouts, an MLB record that is 839 more than runner-up Randy Johnson. Similarly, Ryan's 2,795 bases on balls lead second-place Steve Carlton by 962 – walking over 50% more hitters than any other pitcher in MLB history. Ryan's lifetime batting average against of .204 is also a major league record. He recorded 300 strikeouts in a season six different times, a Major League record, and 200 strikeouts in a season 15 times, also a Major League record. Ryan, Pedro Martínez, Johnson, Trevor Hoffman, Sandy Koufax, and Billy Wagner are the six pitchers inducted into the Baseball Hall 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) and Frank Robinson. Ryan is the all-time leader in no-hitters with seven, three more than any other pitcher. He is tied with Bob Feller for the most one-hitters, with 12. Ryan also pitched 18 two-hitters. Despite this, he never pitched a perfect game, nor did he ever win a Cy Young Award; both were largely attributed to his high walk rate. Ryan is one of 31 players in baseball history to have appeared in MLB games in four different decades, and retired over 7 years later than the next longest-tenured player of the 1965 Major League Baseball draft, Tom Seaver.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere at Shea Stadium in 1969 was electric as the Mets chased their first World Series title. Nolan Ryan, then just 22, played a pivotal role off the mound. Against the Baltimore Orioles in Game 3 of the World Series, he entered the game to save the day, pitching 2+1⁄3 innings without allowing a run. His fastball, often clocked above 100 miles per hour, intimidated batters and set the tone for the Mets' eventual victory. Ryan's journey with the team was not without struggle; his ERA in the second half of the 1971 season skyrocketed to 7.74 after a strong first-half showing of 2.24, marking the steepest second-half increase in MLB history at that time. Yet, his resilience and power were undeniable. As he credited Seaver for turning him from a mere flamethrower into a complete pitcher, Ryan's growth during these years laid the foundation for his future dominance with other teams.

Reader's Guide

Ryan was born on January 31, 1947, in Refugio, Texas. He was the youngest of six children. His family moved to Alvin, Texas, when he was six weeks old. Ryan joined Alvin Little League Baseball when he was nine. He played baseball for Coach Jim Watson at Alvin High School. In 1963, Red Murff, a scout for the New York Mets, first noticed Ryan. The Mets selected Ryan in the 12th round, with the 295th overall pick, of the 1965 Major League Baseball draft. Ryan signed with the Mets and pitched in the minor leagues. He was called up by the Mets in 1966, when he was the second-youngest player in the league. Ryan missed much of the 1967 season due to illness, an arm injury, and service with the Army Reserve. In the 1968 season, Ryan returned to the major leagues, where he stayed until his retirement in 1993. In five seasons with the Mets, 105 games and 74 starts, Ryan had a 29–38 record, with a 3.58 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, with 344 walks and 493 strikeouts in 511 innings. On December 10, 1971, Ryan was traded to the California Angels along with pitcher Don Rose, catcher Francisco Estrada, and outfielder Leroy Stanton for shortstop Jim Fregosi.

Did You Know?

• Ryan's first major league strikeout was Pat Jarvis, and he gave up his first major league home run to Joe Torre.
• Ryan tied a Mets record by striking out 15 batters in one game on April 18, 1970.
• Ryan's performance declined sharply in the second half of his final season with the Mets; his ERA for the first half of 1971 was 2.24, and in the second half it was 7.74.
• Ryan never pitched a perfect game nor won a Cy Young Award, both largely attributed to his high walk rate.

Rise Through the Ranks

Nolan Ryan's rise began in Refugio and Woodsboro, Texas, before moving to Alvin at six weeks old. As a young boy, he enjoyed throwing objects at targets, a habit his father encouraged by steering him toward baseball. He joined the Alvin Little League at age nine, making all-star teams at 11 and 12, and pitching his first no-hitter shortly after. In junior high, Ryan could throw a softball over 100 yards. After quitting football in ninth grade due to an injury involving Norm Bulaich, he focused entirely on baseball under Coach Jim Watson at Alvin High School. There, he struck out 21 batters in a seven-inning game, a record that stood until 2009. In his senior year of 1965, Ryan went 19–3 with 211 strikeouts and 61 walks, leading his team to the Texas state finals. It was at a game against Clear Creek High School that New York Mets scout Red Murff first noticed him, reporting that opponents refused to bat against Ryan and that his pitches sometimes broke catchers' hands.

Dominant Major League Debut

Ryan made his major league debut in 1966 with the New York Mets as the second-youngest player in the league. In just two games, he recorded his first strikeout against Pat Jarvis and gave up his first home run to Joe Torre. After missing most of the 1967 season due to illness, injury, and Army Reserve duty, Ryan returned in 1968 but remained a reliever behind Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman. His breakthrough came in 1969 when he saved Game 3 of the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles, helping the Mets secure their first championship. In 1970, he tied a Mets record with 15 strikeouts in a single game against the Atlanta Braves. Although his performance declined sharply in the second half of 1971, his early years showcased the velocity and resilience that would define his career.

International Stage Challenges

It only covers his professional career in Major League Baseball with the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers, as well as his minor league experiences.

Personal Faith and Background

It notes that he was the youngest of six children and lived in Refugio and Woodsboro, Texas, before moving to Alvin. His father operated a newspaper delivery service for the Houston Post, requiring him to rise early to prepare 1,500 newspapers for delivery over a 55-mile route. The children were expected to help with these daily tasks.