Across 27 big-league seasons with the Mets, Angels, Astros and Rangers, the Texan they called the Ryan Express threw harder for longer than almost anyone in history.
His 5,714 strikeouts and seven no-hitters remain MLB records. If you grew up watching that famous high leg kick, explore our Texas Rangers collection.
Nolan Ryan Fact File
| Full name | Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr. |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 31 January 1947 (age 79) |
| Place of birth | Refugio, Texas, USA |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Position | Pitcher (bats and throws right-handed) |
| Nationality | American |
| Teams | New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers |
| Current status | Retired; Hall of Famer (1999); former Rangers CEO and Astros executive adviser |
| Shirt number | 30 (Mets, Angels), 34 (Astros, Rangers) |
| Nickname | The Ryan Express |
Career History
| Years | Team | Wins | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966, 1968–1971 | New York Mets | 29 | 493 |
| 1972–1979 | California Angels | 138 | 2,416 |
| 1980–1988 | Houston Astros | 106 | 1,866 |
| 1989–1993 | Texas Rangers | 51 | 939 |
| 1966–1993 | Career | 324 | 5,714 |
Figures are regular-season Major League totals. Wins are games credited to Ryan as the winning pitcher; strikeouts are batters he struck out. His career record was 324–292 with a 3.19 ERA over 5,386 innings.
Early Years in Texas
Nolan Ryan was born in Refugio, Texas, and grew up in Alvin, near Houston, where he pitched for Alvin High School. The New York Mets selected him in the 12th round of the 1965 draft, and he made his Major League debut on 11 September 1966.
The raw speed was obvious in New York, but control was not. Even so, he played his part in a famous fairy tale: in the 1969 World Series against Baltimore, Ryan threw two and a third scoreless innings in relief to save Game 3. The "Miracle Mets" won in five games, his only World Series appearance.
Relive it with our Nolan Ryan Angels Baseball Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
The Ryan Express Arrives in California
Everything clicked with the California Angels from 1972. He led the American League in strikeouts in 1972, 1973 and 1974, and in 1973 he struck out 383 batters, a modern-era single-season record.
1973 also brought his first two no-hitters, against Kansas City and Detroit, with two more following against Minnesota in 1974 and Baltimore in 1975.
Relive it with our Nolan Ryan Astros Baseball Icon Frame Men's T-Shirt.
Home to Houston and the Strikeout Crown
In 1980 Ryan returned to his home state with the Houston Astros. In 1981 he threw his fifth no-hitter, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and won the National League ERA title. Two years later he became the first pitcher to pass Walter Johnson's long-standing career strikeout record of 3,508, a mark that had stood since 1927. A second ERA title followed in 1987.
Relive it with our Nolan Ryan Rangers Baseball Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
Rangers Legend and Lasting Legacy
At 42 Ryan joined the Texas Rangers and promptly led the league in strikeouts in 1989 and 1990. He threw his sixth no-hitter against Oakland in June 1990, then his seventh against Toronto on 1 May 1991, aged 44. He pitched his final game in September 1993 at 46, having played 27 seasons, a record at the time.
In 1999 he was elected to the Hall of Fame on his first ballot with 98.8 per cent of the vote.
Honours
Team
- World Series champion (1969, New York Mets)
Individual
- 8× All-Star
- 11× league strikeout leader
- 2× National League ERA leader (1981, 1987)
- MLB All-Century Team
Records and Halls of Fame
- MLB record 5,714 career strikeouts and seven no-hitters
- Baseball Hall of Fame (1999, 98.8 per cent of the vote)
- Number retired by the Angels (30), Astros (34) and Rangers (34)
Away From the Game
After retiring, Ryan became president and later CEO of the Texas Rangers, stepping down in 2013, and then served as an executive adviser to the Astros until 2019. His Nolan Ryan Foundation supports youth, education and community projects, and he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth, in 1967.
FAQs
How old is Nolan Ryan?
Nolan Ryan was born on 31 January 1947, so he is 79 years old.
Where was Nolan Ryan born?
He was born in Refugio, Texas, and grew up in Alvin, Texas.
How tall is Nolan Ryan?
He is listed at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m).
What teams did Nolan Ryan play for?
The New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers.
How many strikeouts did Nolan Ryan have?
He finished with 5,714 career strikeouts, the all-time MLB record.
How many no-hitters did Nolan Ryan throw?
Seven, an MLB record, the last in 1991 aged 44.
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Nolan Ryan Men's T-Shirt
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Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Mickey Mantle Career Story and Ken Griffey Jr. Career Story.
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