Happy Anniversary to Nolan Ryan

Today is a great day in Rangers history. No I'm not talking about when the Rangers scored 30 runs against the Baltimore Orioles (although that was one of the greatest days in team history). I'm talking about the day the Ryan Express, Nolan Ryan became the first pitcher in baseball history to record 5,000 strikeouts.

On August 30, 1989 Ryan took on the Oakland A's from old Arlington Stadium. It was a packed crowd as it always was when Ryan pitched. In the 5th inning, Rickey Henderson came up to bat. Pretty good match-up you think being two hall of famers going against each other. Well on this day, it was Nolan Ryan who got the better of Rickey Henderson as he blew a 96 MPH fastball past Henderson for his 5,000th strike out. The A's got the better of the Rangers that night, beating Ryan and the Rangers 2-0. But the A's getting the win isn't what people remember about that night. They remember Nolan Ryan making history.

Growing up in the Dallas/Ft. Worth as a huge Ranger fan since I was old enough to pick up a baseball, I've known that Nolan Ryan was THE man in Rangers history. He started his career with the New York Mets and won a World Series Championship in 1969. His career led him to stints with the California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. He finished his career with a record of 324-292, a 3.19 ERA, 5,714 strikeouts in 5,386 innings pitched, 7 no hitters and 12 one hitters over 27 years. He is still to this day a Texas legend.

His legendary status continued when he became part of the group that bought the Texas Rangers in 2010. He has helped to lead the club from an upper management standpoint to 2 World Series births and 3 playoff appearances. Since Ryan has taken the reigns of the team, the Rangers have been major contenders for the World Series. His legendary status has only continued to grow.

I am a big time Nolan Ryan fan. I don't have many heros outside of my dad that physically live on this Earth, but if I had a sports hero Nolan Ryan would be it. Congrats to Mr. Ryan on his anniversary today and thank you to him for all he has done for the Rangers.

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