Nolan Ryan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nolan Ryan
Ryan with the Texas Rangers in 1990
Pitcher
Born: (1947-01-31) January 31, 1947 (age 78) Refugio, Texas, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
September 11, 1966, for the New York Mets
Last appearance
September 22, 1993, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	324–292
Earned run average	3.19
Strikeouts	5,714
Teams
New York Mets (1966, 1968–1971) California Angels (1972–1979) Houston Astros (1980–1988) Texas Rangers (1989–1993)
Career highlights and awards
8× All-Star (1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1989) World Series champion (1969) 2× NL ERA leader (1981, 1987) 11× Strikeout leader (1972–1974, 1976–1979, 1987–1990) Los Angeles Angels No. 30 retired Houston Astros No. 34 retired Texas Rangers No. 34 retired Angels Hall of Fame Houston Astros Hall of Fame Texas Rangers Hall of Fame Major League Baseball All-Century Team MLB records 5,714 career strikeouts 7 career no-hitters
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	1999
Vote	98.8% (first ballot)

Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr. (born January 31, 1947), known as "the Ryan Express", is a famous American former professional baseball pitcher. He also worked as a sports executive. Ryan played for a record 27 years in Major League Baseball (MLB). He pitched for the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers.

After he stopped playing in 1993, Ryan became the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Texas Rangers. He also advised the Houston Astros. In 1999, he was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Many people think he is one of the greatest pitchers ever.

Nolan Ryan was a right-handed power pitcher. This means he threw the ball very fast. His pitches often went over 100 miles per hour (161 km/h). He kept this speed even when he was in his 40s. Ryan also threw a great "12–6 curveball," which is a special pitch that drops sharply.

He won 324 games and lost 292 games in his career. He was an All-Star eight times. Ryan holds the MLB record for most strikeouts with 5,714. This is 839 more than the next closest pitcher! He also walked more batters than any other pitcher. But he also holds a record for allowing the fewest hits per batter. Ryan struck out 300 batters in a season six times, which is another record. His jersey number was retired by three different teams. This is a very rare honor in baseball.

Ryan holds the record for the most no-hitters with seven. A no-hitter is when a pitcher completes a game without allowing any hits. He also tied the record for most one-hitters with 12. Even with all these achievements, he never pitched a perfect game. He also never won a Cy Young Award, which is given to the best pitcher each year. Ryan is one of only 31 players to play in MLB games across four different decades.

Growing Up and Starting Baseball

Nolan Ryan Statue – Alvin, Texas

Nolan Ryan was born on January 31, 1947, in Refugio, Texas. This is a small town in Texas. He was the youngest of six children. When Nolan was six weeks old, his family moved to Alvin, Texas.

As a young boy, Nolan loved throwing things. His father thought baseball would be a good way to use his strong arm. So, he encouraged Nolan to play baseball.

Nolan joined Alvin Little League Baseball when he was nine. He made the all-star team when he was 11 and 12. He even pitched his first no-hitter a few years later. In junior high, Nolan could throw a softball over 100 yards! After ninth grade, he decided to focus only on baseball.

Ryan played baseball for Alvin High School. In 1963, a scout for the New York Mets named Red Murff saw Ryan pitch. Coach Watson told Murff that Ryan's pitches were so hard, they sometimes broke his catchers' hands. Murff told the Mets that Ryan had "the best arm I've seen in my life." In his senior year, Ryan had a great record of 19 wins and 3 losses. He helped his team reach the Texas high school state finals.

Playing Professional Baseball

Drafted and Minor League Years

After high school, the New York Mets picked Ryan in the 1965 MLB draft. He signed with the Mets and started playing in the minor leagues. He played for teams like the Marion Mets and Greenville Mets. In 1966, he had 307 strikeouts in the minor leagues. This led to him being called up to the New York Mets.

New York Mets (1966, 1968–1971)

When Ryan joined the New York Mets in 1966, he was one of the youngest players in the league. He missed much of the 1967 season due to illness and an arm injury. But in 1968, Ryan returned to the major leagues. He stayed there until he retired in 1993.

Ryan was mostly a reliever and spot starter for the Mets. The Mets had other great pitchers like Tom Seaver. In 1969, Ryan pitched well in the playoffs. He helped the Mets win the 1969 World Series. This was his only World Series appearance in his career.

On April 18, 1970, Ryan struck out 15 batters in one game. This tied a Mets record. Ryan said that playing with Seaver helped him become a better pitcher. He learned to be more than just a fast thrower.

Ryan did not want to be traded from the Mets. He felt sad when it happened. But later, when he worked for the Rangers, he understood the business side of baseball better. In his five seasons with the Mets, Ryan had 29 wins and 38 losses.

California Angels (1972–1979)

Nolan Ryan's number 30 was retired by the California Angels in 1992.

In December 1971, Ryan was traded to the California Angels. This trade is often called one of the worst in Mets history. But at the time, it didn't seem like a bad deal.

With the Angels, Ryan became a regular starting pitcher. In his first season with the Angels, he led the league with 329 strikeouts. He also set a record for allowing the fewest hits per nine innings. Even though the Angels were not always a winning team, Ryan had good records. He won 19 games in 1972, 21 in 1973, and 22 in 1974. The 22 wins tied the Angels' team record. He finished second in voting for the Cy Young Award in 1973. This was the closest he ever came to winning it.

Ryan, circa 1972

On July 9, 1972, Ryan struck out three batters on nine pitches. This is called an "immaculate inning." He was the first pitcher to do this in both the American and National Leagues.

Ryan threw a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals on May 15, 1973. He threw a second no-hitter on July 15 against the Detroit Tigers. In that game, he struck out 17 batters, which was a record for a no-hitter.

In 1973, Ryan set a major record by striking out 383 batters in one season. This broke Sandy Koufax's old record. On September 7, 1974, Ryan became the first MLB pitcher to have his pitch speed measured during a game. His fastball was clocked at 100.8 mph (161 km/h).

Ryan threw a third no-hitter in 1974 and a fourth in 1975. This tied another of Koufax's records. The Angels finally made the playoffs in Ryan's last year with them in 1979. Ryan became a free agent after that season.

During his eight seasons with the Angels, Ryan led the American League in strikeouts seven times. But he also led the league in walks six times. In his time with the Angels, Ryan had 138 wins and 121 losses.

Houston Astros (1980–1988)

Nolan Ryan's number 34 was retired by the Houston Astros in 1996.

On November 19, 1979, Ryan signed a four-year contract with the Houston Astros. He became MLB's first million-dollar player. On July 4, 1980, Ryan recorded his 3,000th career strikeout. The Astros made the playoffs in 1980.

On September 26, 1981, Ryan threw his fifth no-hitter. This broke Koufax's record. He also became the third pitcher to throw a no-hitter in both leagues. That season, his 1.69 earned run average (ERA) was the best in the National League.

Ryan pitching for the Astros in 1983

By 1983, Ryan and Steve Carlton were chasing Walter Johnson's all-time strikeout record. On April 27, 1983, Ryan broke the record with his 3,509th strikeout. On July 11, 1985, Ryan struck out Danny Heep for his 4,000th career strikeout.

In 1986, Ryan's Astros played the New York Mets in the playoffs. Ryan pitched well in Game 5, but the Astros lost. In 1987, Ryan led the major leagues in ERA (2.76) and strikeouts (270) at age 40. But he only won 8 games and lost 16 because his team didn't score many runs for him.

In his nine seasons with the Astros, Ryan had 106 wins and 94 losses.

Texas Rangers (1989–1993)

Nolan Ryan's number 34 was retired by the Texas Rangers in 1996.

Ryan left the Astros after the 1988 season. He signed with the Texas Rangers at age 42. He was the first player to play for all four original MLB expansion teams. In 1989, he won 16 games and led the league with 301 strikeouts. On August 22, Ryan struck out Rickey Henderson, becoming the only pitcher to record 5,000 career strikeouts.

In 1990, Ryan threw his sixth no-hitter. This was on June 11 against the Athletics. He also earned his 300th win on July 31. On May 1, 1991, at age 44, Ryan threw his seventh no-hitter. This extended his record.

Before the 1993 season, Ryan said he would retire at the end of the year. On August 4, Ryan hit Robin Ventura of the Chicago White Sox with a pitch. Ventura charged the mound to fight Ryan, who was 20 years older. Ryan put Ventura in a headlock and punched him several times. Ryan said it was like a move he used on steers on his ranch. Ventura was ejected, but Ryan stayed in the game.

Ryan on the mound during a 1992 home game at Arlington Stadium

Ryan tore a ligament in his pitching arm on September 22, 1993. This ended his career at age 46. Ryan's last game was his worst. He allowed a single, four walks, and a grand slam without getting an out.

Ryan played in the major leagues for a record 27 seasons. He was the last active player from the 1960s to retire from MLB. In his five seasons with the Rangers, Ryan had 51 wins and 39 losses.

Career Statistics

Seven No-Hitters

Ryan threw a record seven no-hitters in his career. This is three more than any other pitcher. These no-hitters happened over three decades. In these seven games, Ryan had 94 strikeouts and 26 walks.

Nolan Ryan's MLB Records

Ryan holds 51 total MLB records, including:

Life After Playing Baseball

Nolan Ryan playing with some dogs

After retiring from playing, Nolan Ryan became a businessman. He is a main owner of Ryan Sanders Sports and Entertainment. This group owns the Round Rock Express, a minor league baseball team.

Ryan also threw the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the 2005 World Series. This was the first World Series game played in Texas.

Nolan Ryan has written six books. Three of them are about his own life. He also wrote books about other pitchers and instructional books on pitching.

Besides baseball, Ryan owned a bank and a restaurant. He also served on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. He appeared in TV commercials for Advil. In 2000, he had a heart bypass surgery.

Texas Rangers President and CEO (2008–2013)

Andy Pettitte and Ryan in 2006

In 2008, the Rangers hired Ryan as their team president. In 2010, Ryan and Chuck Greenberg led a group that bought the Texas Rangers team. Ryan became the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the team.

In 2012, Ryan was named CEO of the Year by a business school. In 2013, he announced he would step down as Rangers CEO.

Houston Astros Special Assistant (2014–2019)

In 2014, Ryan became an executive adviser for the Houston Astros. His son, Reid Ryan, was already the president of business operations for the Astros. The Astros won the 2017 World Series. After the 2019 season, Nolan Ryan decided not to return to the Astros.

Nolan Ryan's Legacy

The Nolan Ryan Exhibit Center in Alvin, Texas

A collection of rings awarded to Nolan Ryan for appearances as an All-Star and as a member of the 1969 New York Mets World Champion team

Nolan Ryan played in more seasons (27) than any other player since 1900. He holds records for most strikeouts (5,714), fewest hits allowed per nine innings (6.56), and no-hitters (7). He is also high on the list for innings pitched (5,386), games started (773), and shutouts (61). He is tied for 14th in wins (324).

Opposing batters only hit .204 against Ryan. He also struck out seven pairs of fathers and sons. This is another major league record. Ryan played during the time of seven different U.S. Presidents.

Ryan also holds some "negative" records. He has the most walks allowed (2,795) and most wild pitches (277). He is third in career losses (292).

Ryan and Frank Robinson are the only two MLB players to have their jersey number retired by three different teams they played for. The California Angels retired his number 30 in 1992. The Texas Rangers retired his number 34 in 1996. The Houston Astros also retired his number 34 in 1996.

Ryan was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. He received 98.79% of the votes. He chose to wear a Rangers cap on his Hall of Fame plaque. This showed his Texas roots. It also recognized that his 300th win, 5,000th strikeout, and last two no-hitters happened as a Ranger.

In 1999, The Sporting News ranked him 41st on their list of 100 Greatest Baseball Players. He was also chosen for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. He was inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in 2003.

In 1992, the United States Mint made a special coin honoring Olympic baseball. The pitcher on the coin looked very much like Nolan Ryan. People called it the "Nolan Ryan dollar." In 1995, the Texas State Legislature named a highway near Alvin the Nolan Ryan Expressway. A junior high school in Pearland, Texas, is also named after him.

The Nolan Ryan Foundation helps young people, education, and community projects. Ryan was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame in 2009 and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2010. A documentary called Facing Nolan was released in 2022.

Personal Life

Ryan married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Holdorff, on June 26, 1967. Ruth was a high school state tennis champion. They have three children: Reid, Reese, and Wendy. Both Reid and Reese pitched for their college baseball team. Reid also pitched briefly in the minor leagues. In 2013, Reid became the president of the Houston Astros.

Nolan often practiced pitching in the off-season. Ruth would sometimes catch for him. Ruth also coached their sons' little league teams. Nolan Ryan lives in Georgetown, Texas.

Political Activity

In his 1992 book, Ryan said he voted for Jimmy Carter in 1976. But since then, he usually supports the Republican Party. He looks at each candidate individually. He has been friends with the Bush family for many years. This is partly because George W. Bush was a part-owner of the Rangers when Ryan played there. In 1996, Ryan campaigned for Ron Paul.

In 2011, Nolan Ryan supported Todd Staples for Lieutenant Governor of Texas. Ryan said, "Todd Staples is the top prospect for the Texas Republican Party."

See also

• Nolan Ryan's Baseball, a 1991 video game
• DHL Hometown Heroes
• Major League Baseball titles leaders
• List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders
• List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career hit batsmen leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career bases on balls allowed leaders
• List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
• List of Major League Baseball single-game strikeout leaders
• List of Major League Baseball pitchers who have thrown an immaculate inning
• List of Major League Baseball players who played in four decades