American · Refugio, Texas · Born 31 January 1947American baseball pitcher widely regarded as one of the greatest power pitchers in MLB history, holding the all-time record for strikeouts and no-hitters.
Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr. was born in Refugio, Texas in 1947. New York Mets selected him in the 10th round of the 1965 MLB Draft. His 27-season career produced 324 wins, 5,714 strikeouts — the all-time record by a margin of 839 over Randy Johnson — and seven no-hitters — the all-time record. He won the World Series with the Mets in 1969 as a young contributor. He led the league in strikeouts 11 times. He holds the record for the highest pitch velocity ever recorded, throwing 100.9 mph at age 44. He struck out 4,000 or more batters in three different decades. His fastball was timed at 100.9mph at age 44 — the fastest ever recorded in the major leagues. He threw the seventh no-hitter of his career at age 44 against the Toronto Blue Jays. His career ERA of 3.19 is remarkable given that he played well into the 1990s offensive era. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999 with 98.8% of the vote. He became president of the Texas Rangers after his playing career. His combination of longevity (27 seasons), dominance (all-time strikeout record) and landmark achievements (7 no-hitters) make his career unlike any other in pitching history.
All-time strikeout leader with 5,714 strikeouts and record 7 no-hitters
How They Played
Fastball pitcher with exceptional velocity and longevity
Lasting Impact
Greatest power pitcher in baseball history, strikeout king
Career Honours
- World Series Champion (1969)
- 7 no-hitters (record)
- 5,714 strikeouts (all-time record)
- Hall of Fame (1999)
- 8x All-Star
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| New York Mets | 1966–1971 | 292 |
| California Angels | 1972–1979 | 288 |
| Houston Astros | 1980–1988 | 282 |
| Texas Rangers | 1989–1993 | 129 |
American Athletes