Nolan Ryan unboring stat

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

I say that because people post the same boring Ryan stats all the time, the no-hitters, One Hitters, Two hitters, Three hitters; How many seasons you'd have to have 300 K's to pass him etc...

Most of us, I assume, are aware he was, statistically, the most unhittable pitcher of all time. Twice in his career he only yielded 5.3 hits per 9 innings which is an astonishing number, in fact The top three seasons of all time are Ryan's 5.2606, Luis Tiant's 5.2955 and Ryan's 5.3064.

The unboring part is that he did it the first time in 1972 and the second time in 1991 almost 20 years apart.

[ClementeFanOh]

Scott-

I was not aware of the "unboring" stat you revealed. I stated in a previous
thread that Nolan was essentially synonymous with pitching for an entire
generation, and I feel that comment holds up. He's not my favorite
player, I don't make burnt offerings at an altar dedicated to him- he was an
overwhelming presence who accomplished incredible feats for 2 decades. I
am amazed that there are people on this board who insist on trying (without
success) to downplay his influence on the art of pitching and the sport itself.

Trent King

[Jim59F]

Nolan was one of the most feared pitchers and the hardest to hit in ML history. He is my favorite player of all-time.

Jim

[Brent G.]

Another unboring stat is Nolan's charge for autographs compared to others out there — $75, any card, no 5x to sign rookie cards, all going to his foundation (and certified with their sticker). Can't beat that.

There will NEVER be another Nolan.

[Touch'EmAll]

As a kid in the 1970's, we lived a half hour from Anaheim Stadium. I was able to see Ryan pitch quite a few times.

Back then, the upper level (View Level) was first come first serve. We would wait for the stadium gate to open, then my sister and I would run up to the View Level to nab seats as close to the front rail & right behind home plate as possible.

Absolutely amazing to see Ryan's fastball, like it exploded toward home plate. No other pitcher we ever saw could do that.

And my dad took me to the game they had new radar to clock him at 100.3 mph. Legend or reality - fastest pitch of all-time given the measurement distance vs. now.

Lucky kid. Was hooked on baseball and cards my whole life.

[brian1961]

Hey Touch'EmAll, Thank you for your vivid childhood memories you shared with us. May I say yours was a most enjoyable and meaningful post, sir. All the best to you. --- Brian Powell

PS---- While I've had several other hobbies and deep interests, I have never lost my fondness for baseball cards since I began collecting them in the spring of 1961. Hence, my Net54 handle, Brian1961. I gave up collecting in the mid-70s when I couldn't find any more regionals available, but eventually, I began collecting again---IN EARNEST!

[frankbmd]

On September 30, 1989 with nothing better to do, I hopped in the car and drove to Anaheim to see Ryan, then with Texas, pitch against the Angels in the last game of the season. I thought there was a good chance that this could be Ryan's last game and planned to keep the ticket.

The game was unusual for several reasons:

Angel fans loved Ryan and cheered more loudly for him than for the home team.

Ryan pitched a complete game 3 hitter striking out 13 Angels and walking none.

His last strikeout was #300 for the 1989 season.

And finally my last ticket stub was not his last game for he pitched another 600 innings in four more seasons.

Nevertheless I saw a great game and do not regret my effort to obtain a potentially valuable collectable ticket stub.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

On September 30, 1989 with nothing better to do, I hopped in the car and drove to Anaheim to see Ryan, then with Texas, pitch against the Angels in the last game of the season. I thought there was a good chance that this could be Ryan's last game and planned to keep the ticket.

The game was unusual for several reasons:

Angel fans loved Ryan and cheered more loudly for him than for the home team.

Ryan pitched a complete game 3 hitter striking out 13 Angels and walking none.

His last strikeout was #300 for the 1989 season.

And finally my last ticket stub was not his last game for he pitched another 600 innings in four more seasons.

Nevertheless I saw a great game and do not regret my effort to obtain a potentially valuable collectable ticket stub.

Puts into perspective that he put up the third best single season Hits/9IP in MLB history two years after you thought you might be seeing his last game!

[Touch'EmAll]

Here is an obscure Nolan Ryan stat ...

Ryan had 198 career non-win "quality starts" (6+ IP, and 3 or less Earned Runs). He was 0-107 with a 2.27 ERA, 1.166 WHIP, & 9.77 K/9 in those starts.

Assume most of those games were with the low run support Angels. On a good team, his Win total would be much higher.

And a lesser known record: Ryan holds the modern career record for most wild pitches with 277. Guess when you let it all hang out and bring the heat - things happen - loads of K's, walks, wild pitches and No-Hitters. Kinda goes with the territory.