Happy 70th Birthday, Nolan Ryan

[fan_since79]

Wow, time marches on...

[Angels#1Fan]

Those that didn't see Ryan pitch in his prime really missed it.

Happy Birthday Nolan.

[Glen]

We'd be just as well off wishing a happy birthday to two 35-year-olds.

[Blarg]

 Perfect. 

[IEAngelsfan]

There was an anticipation every time he pitched, wondering if he was going to strike out 15 batters or pitch a no-hitter.  Of course, he could easily pitch wild and get bombed as well.

He was one of the few joys of being a fan of the Angels in the 70's.

Happy birthday Express!

[fan_since79]

June 14, 1974. Nolan Ryan throws 235 pitches, strikes out 19 Red Sox batters, and gets a no-decision.

http://framework.latimes.com/2011/07/21/nolan-ryan-throws-235-pitches/

[JAHV76]

Happy Birthday Nolan.

 

I wonder if Robin Ventua wished him a Happy Birthday

 

[California Cajun]

Ryan's a Ranger.

[Angel Oracle]

Only because of dimwit Buzzard Bavasi

[Glen]

 

 Perfect. 

 

It was so obvious, I was certain it'd be the first reply.

[fan_since79]

May 15, 1973. Ryan's first no-hitter.

[SlappyUtilityMIF]

I remember being a kid and playing wiffle ball against the garage with all the kids in the neighborhood.. We would replicate batting stances of the Major Leaguers and motions of the pitchers like Tiant and Tekulve... I would say I was Nolan Ryan and then dose or knock my buddy down with a rise ball to the dome!..... Good Times!

 

Great reply Glen!

[Angel Oracle]

Biggest Ryan thrill was seeing K# 383 in person in 1973.   Still a MLB record to this day

Second biggest in person Ryan thrill was home opening night in 1977, as he pitched a one-hitter against the M's (former Dog Bob Stinson with the only hit, a 3rd inning double).

Third biggest in person Ryan thrill was seeing his last game in Angel Stadium in 1993, pitching 7 innings of 1 run baseball for the Rangers and getting a HUGE ovation when he left the game.

[fan_since79]

Ryan is the only guy who puts fear in me. Not because he can get you out but because he can kill you. You just hope to mix in a walk so you could have a good night and go 0-for-3.

- Reggie Jackson

[fan_since79]

Strikeout #1: Pat Jarvis, Braves. September 11, 1966

Strikeout #5,714: Greg Myers, Angels. September 17, 1993

 

[SlappyUtilityMIF]

Like I said in the "How long have you been a fan thread" .....  I will NEVER EVER EVA forget the sound the ball made coming out of his hand. We were watching him warm up in the old school bullpen before his start at Anaheim " I don't remember the opponent or much about the game itself" ....  It sounded like an enormous bumble bee.... Bzzzzzzzzzzz....Smack of the glove.... You saw the motion and point of release "a loud grunt" the bzzzz then a loud smack of the glove.....  I was like 7 years old. The catcher would lob it back and it would be the same thing all over again.   Just amazing to watch and hear! Something I will never forget.

[Stradling]

11 hours ago, Glen said:

We'd be just as well off wishing a happy birthday to two 35-year-olds.

Possibly the best post I'll ever read. 

[fan_since79]

“A good night against Nolan Ryan is going 0 for 4 and you don’t get hit in the head. Ryan doesn’t just get you out. He embarrasses you.”

- Dave Duncan (2-for-37 vs. Ryan, 19 K's)

[Angel Oracle]

23 hours ago, fan_since79 said:

June 14, 1974. Nolan Ryan throws 235 pitches, strikes out 19 Red Sox batters, and gets a no-decision.

http://framework.latimes.com/2011/07/21/nolan-ryan-throws-235-pitches/

This one is still totally freakish to this day.   Heck, today's pitchers have trouble reaching HALF of that number of pitches.

[fan_since79]

Lowest Opponents Batting Average (pitchers since 1950), minimum 1,500 innings

1. Nolan Ryan  .204

2. Sandy Koufax  .205

 

[fan_since79]

fun fact: Nolan Ryan would have to return to baseball and allow 1,191 consecutive hits for his career batting average against to reach .250.