When was nolan ryan born

Sourcebooks Publishing. Page Did you know his name appears on more than pages here at Baseball Almanac and we could effortlessly write an entire book about his accomplishments, effortlessly? Here are a mere sampling of his notable accomplishments and items of interests: Nolan Ryan had 5, career strikeouts Top 1, , more than any other pitcher in history more than 2 all-time, Randy Johnson.

Nolan Ryan and Sandy Koufax are the only two pitchers inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame who had more strikeouts than innings pitched.

Nolan Ryan is the only Major League Baseball player to have his number retired by at least three different teams: the Angels, Astros, and Rangers not counting Jackie Robinson whose number was retired by Major League Baseball for every team. Nolan Ryan is the all-time leader in no-hitters with seven, three more than any other pitcher. He is tied with Bob Feller for most one-hitters, with twelve. Despite his overwhelming potential, Ryan struggled to command his pitches, and he was traded to the California Angels in December It was a career-changing move for the young righty, who hit his stride under the tutelage of Angels pitching coach Tom Morgan.

Ryan recorded 19 wins, a 2. The following year, he threw two no-hitters and finished with a Major League-record strikeouts, besting the previous mark of his idol, Sandy Koufax , by one. Ryan was still notably wild — he would go on to lead his league in walks eight times and in wild pitches six times — but by then he had honed a sharp curveball to keep hitters off-balance.

Furthermore, his fearsome fastball had prompted an official attempt to gauge its speed. In August , an infrared radar twice timed Ryan at Although several pitchers have since recorded higher speeds, changes to measuring devices and angles have led to estimates that Ryan really threw upwards of mph, which would still be a record. While some questioned whether he deserved that distinction, Ryan continued to prove a top draw and a uniquely dominant pitcher.

In September , he again surpassed Koufax with a record fifth no-hitter, and he finished the strike-shortened season with an MLB-best 1. In early , Ryan wiped another famous name out of the baseball record books by recording career strikeout No.

The advancing years seemed to have little effect on Ryan's blazing fastball. In , at the age of 40, he led the National League with a 2. After signing with the Texas Rangers, he topped strikeouts for the sixth time in a season in The following year, he threw another no-hitter and became just the 20th pitcher to reach career wins. In , he added to his record with his seventh and final no-hitter. Ryan's arm finally gave out at the end of , marking the conclusion of one of Major League Baseball's most storied careers.

Along with the no-hitters, Ryan established records with his 5, strikeouts and 12 one-hitters, and his games started and 27 big league seasons are both tops in the modern era. He also finished with the dubious career record of 2, walks, nearly 1, more than anyone else, and fell just short of becoming the third pitcher to lose games. Not wanting to stay away from the game he loved, Ryan reappeared on the baseball season larger than life in Ryan closed the season with 17 wins, 18 losses, and strikeouts.

Impressing doubters even more, Ryan closed his season with 19 wins, 16 losses, and strikeouts. Again Ryan completed back-to-back over three hundred strikeout seasons. Although Ryan played some of his best games with the California Angels, he still longed for his native Texas. His break came when at the end of the season when he became a free agent. Ryan was immediately signed with the Houston Astros and became baseball's first pitcher to earn a million dollars a year.

Although this amount is common by today's standards, when it was awarded to Ryan, such a sum was unheard of.

After taking some time to readjust to a newer pitching style introduced by the National League, Ryan showed off his adjustment by pitching his fifth no-hit game in Effectively breaking Koufax's record, Ryan, it was widely thought, was well on his way to setting even more major league records. Unfortunately for Ryan, rather than setting records, he failed to even match his own prior performances.

Essentially, from until the season, Ryan was continuously placed on the disabled or the injured reserve list. Ryan rarely pitched a game during this time and has always felt that it was the worst time of his professional career. He was especially concerned about his fellow teammates who had to make the difference even without Ryan to pitch his all-star games. The season saw not only a rejuvenated Ryan, but new records as well.

His legendary durability and willingness to play despite great personal discomfort, landed him his second ERA Earned Run Average title with a 2. Ryan's first ERA title was in in which he attained a 1. Additionally, Ryan became the first pitcher in baseball's history to attain 2, strikeouts in both the American League and the National League. After completing his contract with the Astros, Ryan again became a free agent at the end of the season.

He again was quickly picked up, this time by the Texas Rangers in time for the season. Ryan had hoped that perhaps with the Rangers, despite his age, he might again have a chance at playing the World Series again.

With only four and one-half games separating the Rangers from the division leader, Chicago, this possibility seemed probable. This desire had followed Ryan since his departure from the Mets.

Although, Ryan would not see a championship playoff with the Rangers, he did attain his sixth no-hit game and led the American League in strikeouts by the close of the regular season. Additionally, while playing for the Rangers, Ryan attained his record setting seventh no-hit game against the Toronto Blue Jays. For the pitcher that was to strikeouts what Hank Aaron was to home runs, for the man who pitched more strikeouts and no-hitters than anyone who had played the game to that point—the final call was made for Ryan.

Although he planned to retire at the end of the season, he expected to do so with the grace and dignity deserving of his accomplishments. Instead fate or should one prefer, Father Time, took that from Ryan. After feeling his right elbow pop with pain from a torn ligament in the middle of the Rangers game against the Seattle Mariners, Ryan knew his chances at the World Series were over.

Ryan was sidelined for the rest of the game, giving him ample time to reflect on his year career. Although Ryan had technically done little to help the Rangers in their bid for the American League West title, especially with his days on the injured reserve list, he still felt somehow personally responsible.

When it finally settled in on Ryan he was crushed. At 46, Ryan walked off the field that day giving to baseball and its fans something that will not be seen again. As an athlete, Ryan defined his own class and style. He attained the 5, strikeout mark at the age of 42, when most professional sports players had long since retired.