Nolan Ryan

Pitcher

Class of 1999

Nolan Ryan

Pitcher

Class of 1999
Nolan Ryan's legendary fastball left an indelible mark on the National Pastime.

Games

Birth year

About Nolan Ryan

Two-time National League MVP Dale Murphy called Nolan Ryan “the only pitcher you start thinking about two days before you face him.”

Ryan’s career lasted a record-tying 27 seasons, and his fabled fastball never seemed to wane. When he retired, he had amassed 324 wins to go with all-time records for no-hitters (seven) and strikeouts (5,714).

The Basics

Year inducted
1999
Birth Place
Refugio, Texas
Birth Year
1947

Career at a Glance

Primary Team
LA/California Angels
Primary Position
Pitcher
Played For
New York Mets, 1966
New York Mets, 1968-1971
LA/California Angels, 1972-1979
Houston Astros, 1980-1988
Texas Rangers, 1989-1993

Career MLB Stats

Games
807
Wins
324
Losses
292
Winning %
.526
Saves
3
Hits
3,923
Walks
2,795
Runs
2,178
Games Started
773
Innings Pitched
5,386
Completed Games
222
Shutouts
61
Earned Runs
1,911
Strikeouts
5,714
ERA
3.19
WHIP
1.247

Nolan Ryan Stories

Explore the archives and go deep into the lives, careers, and stories of the Hall of Fame's honorees.

Brett, Ryan, Yount express mutual respect after first-ballot elections

Sixteen Ks send Ryan to the record books

Nolan Ryan becomes baseball’s first million dollar man

Ryan twirls second no-no of season

Nolan Ryan eclipses Walter Johnson’s strikeout record

Nolan Ryan pitches third no-hitter of his career

Nolan Ryan tosses his fourth no-hitter

Domination in the Dome: Nolan Ryan throws his fifth no-hitter

Niekro and Ryan both reach exclusive 3,000-strikeout club on America’s birthday

Ryan strikes out 19 for third time