Nolan Ryan

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Lore & Background

Nolan Ryan's career was defined by a fastball that consistently exceeded 100 mph and a devastating 12–6 curveball at exceptional velocity for a breaking ball. His seven no-hitters are an all-time record, three more than any other pitcher. He is also tied with Bob Feller for the most one-hitters, with 12, and pitched 18 two-hitters. Despite never pitching a perfect game or winning a Cy Young Award—both largely attributed to his high walk rate—Ryan's dominance is reflected in his MLB-record lifetime batting average against of .204. His 5,714 career strikeouts are an MLB record, 839 more than runner-up Randy Johnson, while his 2,795 bases on balls lead second-place Steve Carlton by 962. Ryan recorded 300 strikeouts in a season six times and 200 strikeouts in a season 15 times, both Major League records. He is one of three players in history to have his number retired by at least three teams, along with Jackie Robinson and Frank Robinson.

In Their Own Story

The 1969 World Series marked Ryan's only championship appearance. Against the Baltimore Orioles, he saved Game 3, pitching 2+1⁄3 shutout innings to give the Mets a 2–1 lead in the Series, which they won in five games. Earlier that postseason, against 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 years to get another. On April 18, 1970, Ryan tied a Mets record by striking out 15 batters in one game. Four days later, teammate Tom Seaver topped it with a then-MLB record 19. Ryan credited his time with Seaver and the Mets with turning him from just a flamethrower into a pitcher. In his first season with the California Angels in 1972, Ryan had a league-leading 329 strikeouts—nearly a third more than the AL runner-up—and set a still-standing Major League record by allowing 5.26 hits per nine innings. He finished second in the Cy Young Award balloting in 1973, the closest he ever came to winning the award.

Reader's Guide

Nolan Ryan's 27-season MLB career spanned from 1966 to 1993, making him one of 31 players to appear in games in four different decades. Drafted by the New York Mets in the 12th round of the 1965 draft, he debuted in 1966 as the second-youngest player in the league. After five seasons with the Mets (29–38, 3.58 ERA), he was traded to the California Angels in December 1971. With the Angels, he became a full-time starter and posted his best seasons, including a 22–16 record in 1974 that tied the Angels franchise record. Ryan's career win–loss record was 324–292 (.526). He was an eight-time All-Star. Ryan, Pedro Martínez, Randy 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. After retiring, Ryan served as CEO of the Texas Rangers and an executive advisor to the Houston Astros. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Did You Know?

• 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.
• He is one of three players in history to have his number retired by at least three teams, along with Jackie Robinson and Frank Robinson.
• Ryan's lifetime batting average against of .204 is a major league record.
• He recorded 300 strikeouts in a season six different times and 200 strikeouts in a season 15 times, both Major League records.
• Ryan is tied with Bob Feller for the most one-hitters, with 12, and also pitched 18 two-hitters.