A trip through baseball history through the eyes of Nolan Ryan
 

Nolan Ryan's Major League debut was in 1966. His last season was 1993. Along the way, he racked up 5,714 strikeouts.

During his early years, he struck out people (Hank Aaron, for example) whose career began earlier than 1966.

Towards the end of his career, he struck out people (Barry Bonds, for example) whose career lasted beyond 1993.

So, the collective careers of Ryan's strikeout victims span from at least 1954-2007.

I don't know the answer to this; however, I'm curious: how much earlier than 1954 (and more recent than 2007) was someone playing in the Major leagues who struck out against Ryan at some point in their career?

Similar cool thing, Jim Kaat faced both Ted Williams (back to 1939) and Julio Franco (up to 2007) fo that's 68 years.

Nolan struck out Eddie Mathews so that takes it back to 1952. And he struck out Griffey Jr. so that takes it up to 2010.

Nolan Ryan struck out Jamie Moyer who played until 2012.

Surprised he never struck out Mays!

Looking through game logs for Ryan's first two seasons, the guy who I found who was active earliest and also a Ryan strikeout victim was Dick Schoefield, who began his career in 1953. But also I checked by hand and so of course could have missed someone.

Ryan twice struck out Omar Vizquel, who also played through 2012.

Ryan struck out Eddie Mathews, who started playing in '52.

This might help:

https://stathead.com/baseball/versus...ernav_stathead

I plan to go through the list...though I won't get all the way through it in one sitting.

Although I think people are already using and relying on AI too much these days, this was the perfect type of question for AI.

I asked:

of all the player that nolan ryan struck out, whose career started the earliest?

The answer was Ed Mathews in 1952, so you got this one, Eric.

of all the player that nolan ryan struck out, whose career ended the last?

Omar V. in 2012, as you mentioned also, E.

Geez I get no credit for post 3.

Also Jamie Moyer, who I mentioned earlier, who played in 2012.

Sorry, my fault. I should have mentioned that in my reply earlier.

Relatedly, sort of, I think there was at least one pitcher who struck out (or maybe it was just pitched to) both Ruth and Mantle. Not that surprising as only 17 years of separation.

Al Benton pitched to both, but didn't strike them out. He's the only one to face both of them in a regular season game.

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Not as wide a spread but Cy Young (1911) struck out Cap Anson (1871) and Harry Hooper (1920) 49 years.
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And a card.
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