Nolan Ryan, best pitcher to ever live

[zezezosezadafrak]

I saw a Ryan pitch in Cleveland in 1989. It was about the time I started to realize that not all men are created equal.

[johnbeavers]

Most arm talent ever, combined with a ridiculous work ethic, ridiculous toughness and competitiveness that can't be measured.= Legend!!!

[TrueTexan-gvcb]

Nolan is the best! His records, legend, will never be beat!

[ginomerlino]

Watched Nolan Ryan beat up Robin Ventura live when I was 15 !! Was funny as shit see an old man give the young gun the business 🤣 😂 😅

[davidca]

one of my favorite pitchers of all time, he was deadly out there, and didnt put up with huge batters trying to intimidate or charge him he would throw hands (as shown).

[kellycoleman]

I was privileged to see Nolan pitch when he was with the Rangers.

[stellioiscrazy]

One of the hardest, throwing pitchers you’ll ever see in your life! God bless Nolan, Ryan

[ryanbennettbennett]

One of the best....never won a cy young.

[eaglewinnings]

One thing that’s rarely ever measured when it comes to statistics is how long a player played.

Inevitably, the longer you play the more your numbers will suffer. Pujols was hitting well over .300 just a couple years before he retired and he finished as a .296 hitter.

Both Kevin Garnett and Gary Payton’s career numbers are incredibly underwhelming not reflecting their legendary status and greatness because they dealt with injuries and took on reduced roles towards the end of their careers.

That’s the greatness of Nolan Ryan. Aside from his final season at age 46(!!!) where he had 13 starts and a 4.88 ERA for the Rangers and finally shut it down with a torn tendon in his elbow likely something he was struggling with well before he finally called it quits. Ryan’s consistent greatness for 27 years is beyond mind boggling.

Until his last campaign the worst season he had all career long was a 3.80 ERA at age 38 (ironically one of his only 8 all star campaigns).

Along with infamously never winning a Cy Young award (he should definitely have AT LEAST 3 and more like 6 including 3 in a row from ‘72-‘74) something even more mind blowing that was tragic about Nolan Ryan’s 27 year career is that he could have been an all star 25 times but more realistically at least 20 times. Only 8 all star appearances is a tragedy.

How undervalued his legendary greatness was is crazy.

[markfeagans]

I started looking at the L.A. Times sport section in '72 and couldn't believe this guy was fanning 12 to 18 every game. I was hooked.

[ChristianBranstetter]

Nolan was the absolute best! I wore his number all the way through high school. I grew up watching him from his beginning times with the Astros through the rangers into his retirement. He had a lot of influence in my life! “When pitchers were really pitchers” 34 for LIFE!

[KorithStoneheart]

Now they measure the speed of pitches as it leaves the pitcher's arm, but they used to measure it as it hit the catcher's mitt to show exactly what the batter was dealing with

[okd]

I love how after the first step towards charging the mound there was instant realization and regret😂

[mickeymckernan]

He was awesome and he had that 1 advantage that was he really wasn't sure where the ball was gonna go

[txmetalheadxk]

The Oh Ryan Express!!! Beautiful over powering fastball.

[brucewayne]

perhaps He was not human ... well beyond brilliant with longevity

[bradleydennis]

Rumor has it to this day he can still throw in the 80's!! That's crazy work

[BigSmoke-wnrd]

The movement on that first pitch from Ryan was ridiculous

[justinkline]

The best old-man-fighter to ever do the damned thing. His game also tough as dirt.

[cpmow]

I love you included the fight. He had SEVEN no hitter and ONE six hitter (on Robin).