Ryan, Nolan

Ryan, (Lynn) Nolan

(1947–  ) baseball pitcher; born in Refugio, Texas. Baseball's all-time leader in strikeouts with over 5,000, the right-hander won over 300 games and pitched a record seven no-hitters in his record (all positions) 28 major league seasons (1966–93) with the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. In addition to his prowess as a pitcher, he had a reputation as a man of irreproachable character and integrity, and although he had in fact made millions from both his product endorsements and salary—enough to buy a bank as well as other enterprises—he seemed one of the last of the old-time players, oblivious to the big-money contracts, and with an eye only on the well-pitched game.

The Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography, by John S. Bowman. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995. Reproduced with permission.