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Knockout Punch.(Nolan Ryan)
Fastball helped blaze the way for Nolan Ryan to set career strikeout mark
OF ALL THE RECORDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS in Nolan Ryan's career, this one could be the most telling:
Ryan finished with 5,714 career strikeouts, which puts him 1,578 ahead of Steve Carlton, who had 4,136 and is second on the all-time list. That is the largest percentage difference between first and second in any major statistical category in baseball.
Think of it this way. If a pitcher made his major league debut today and finished a few years later with 1,578 strikeouts, people would say he had a nice career. Ryan finished his career with that many more strikeouts than any other pitcher in the history of baseball.
If a pitcher broke in next season and had designs on overtaking Ryan for the all-time strikeout lead, he would need to average 200 strikeouts for more than 28 seasons. If he averaged 250 strikeouts, it would take nearly 23 seasons to catch Ryan. Averaging 300 strikeouts, he would need 19 seasons.
"People talk about records that won't be broken," said Astros coach Matt Galante, "but Nolan's strikeout record is right near the top. You have to have the combination of high strikeout totals and longevity. Those are two things that don't often go together.
"Pitchers with a lot of strikeouts, for a lot of reasons, don't last that long. To do what Nolan did and keep doing it for as long as he did -- you won't see that again."
- CEREMONY HUMBLES BRETT, RYAN, YOUNT WILLIAMS, MAYS PART OF RECORD CROWD.(Sports)
- Newspaper article from: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle, WA) July 26, 1999 700+ words
...Selee also were honored. Ryan spent most of his 16...baseball player.'' Ryan, 52 ((age)), played...hitters and 5,714 strikeouts. He finished 324-292...runs. All three were Ryan strikeout victims. Thirty-four...
- RYAN-CLEMENS: THE HEAT IS ON THEY'RE SET TO DUEL THIS AFTERNOON
- Newspaper article from: The Boston Globe Steve Fainaru, Globe Staff April 30, 1989 700+ words
...during the summer. Ryan is the all-time strikeout leader with 4...the record for strikeouts in a single game, 20. (During Ryan's second no...those kind of strikeouts when he's 41. Ryan's strikeout record will never...
- STRIKEOUT KING MAKES PITCH ON WAYS TO IMPROVE BASEBALL.(Sports)
- Newspaper article from: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle, WA) April 21, 1998 700+ words
...inconsistent. Nolan Ryan, the major league strikeout king, is concerned...hour ball games.'' Ryan, 51 ((age)), who...man to record 5,000 strikeouts, admits he's somewhat...But clearly, in Ryan's view, there's...
- STRIKEOUTS PER INNINGS
- Newspaper article from: Chicago Sun-Times Eddie Gold June 2, 1989 700+ words
Nolan Ryan is king of the "K's." Ryan and Sandy Koufax are the only pitchers with more strikeouts than innings pitched. Ryan averages 9.45 strikeouts per nine-inning game. Pitcher IP SO Ratio x Nolan Ryan 4...
- Nolan Ryan harder to describe than he was to hit.
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Miller, Jeff January 4, 1999 700+ words
...have been more staggering. Ryan missed the 1967 season because...was in jeopardy.'' X X X Ryan's strikeout list runs from Aaron (Hank...surrounding that final fan. Ryan's last five strikeouts came against the Angels at Anaheim...
- Nice and mean: Ryan aids Wood HEADLINE HERE.(The Dallas Morning News)
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Daley, Ken July 22, 2001 700+ words
...than Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, the strikeout king who lives nearby. The tips Ryan offered could have a profound...Cy Young awards and six strikeout titles. "I probably get more credit than I deserve," Ryan said. "I think Randy was...
- Cubs hint Ryan up to `scratch' // Astros pitcher accused of doctoring ball
- Newspaper article from: Chicago Sun-Times Brian Hewitt June 2, 1987 700+ words
...manager Chuck Tanner produced 18 balls Ryan had allegedly marked. Tanner's timing was curious in that Ryan's strikeout total against the Braves that day...his lowest of the year. "If Nolan Ryan is scuffing baseballs, I wish he...
- Ryan Nonchalant About Spoiled Bid;Sinking Line Drive Again Stops No-Hitter
- Newspaper article from: The Washington Post June 27, 1989 700+ words
...struck out seven, increasing his American League strikeout lead to 128. Ryan's strikeout of Joe Carter in the fourth inning gave the all-time leader 4,900. Ryan strained a muscle above the right thigh during...
Source: HighBeam Research, Knockout Punch.(Nolan Ryan)