Nolan Ryan
biography by: HeathTruett
Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan is known for being the best fastball pitcher. His fastest pitch was 100.9 mph. Nolan Ryan was born January 31, 1947 in Alvin, Texas. He is married to Ruth Holdorff and has three children. Nolan signed up to play Little League ball when he was 9. He pitched his first no hitter when he was 12. He also made the All Star team that year. Nolan went to Alvin High School and was discovered by Red Murff, a scout for the Mets. The recruiter said he had the best arm he had ever seen. He signed to play with the Met's after that. His first year with the Mets was pretty rough. He barely played because of an elbow injury and the Army drafted him that year too. The next season he led the Mets to the World Series. That was his only time to go to the World Series.
After that he was traded to the Angels. That is where he became known as the Nolan Express. Then he was traded to the Astros where he struck out his 5,000 batter. While he played with the Astros he was the first baseball player to make 1 million dollars a year. He was traded to the rangers where he ended his career at the age of 46. He had 5,226 strike outs and 7 no hitters. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.
Nolan Ryan pitching for the Angels
Nolan Ryan pitching for the Astros
Nolan Ryan pitching for the Rangers
My favorite part of his career is when he got in a fight with Robin Ventura while he was pitching for the Rangers. Ryan hit Ventura with a ball and Ventura charged the mound. Nolan Ryan was 20 years older than Ventura when this happened, but did not back down from the fight. Both benches were cleared as all players started fighting. It wasn't the best show of sportsmanship, but it is known as one of the best fights in baseball.
Nolan Ryan had a long and fun career in baseball. He was a remarkable pitcher, one of the greatest in the world. When he retired he had won 324 games. I admire him because I want to be like him. He is retired and is now the executive adviser for the Houston Astros. Reggie Jackson once said "He was the only guy that could put fear in me. Not because he could get me out, but because he could kill me. " His pitches were admired and feared.