When Rangers Manager Bobby Valentine was asked when Nolan Ryan became Babe Ruth…..he responded with “Sometime after his 6th no-hitter….and before his 300thwin.” ….as Texas Rangers Pitcher Nolan Ryan won his 300th game at age 43 on June 30, 1990 against the Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee…for.it was his 24th season in The Bigs. It was the bottom of the 8th inning with Milwaukee runners on every base….when Big Tex let go of a 97mph fastball that would send Brewers slugger Gary Sheffield down swinging in the bottom of the 8th inning….ending the Brewers only threat of the game. As Ryan came off the field….55,000+ Milwaukee fans rose to their feet for a standing ovation that many in Milwaukee say was only comparable to Hank Aaron’s home run that broke Babe Ruth’s record….quite a feat for the visiting pitcher.
MLB – June 11, 1990 – Special Highlights – The Last Out in Texas Rangers P Nolan Ryan Pitching His 6th No Hitter
It was Ryan’s legendary work ethic that allowed him to reach this milestone and the secret to his success….as throughout his whole career….he believed in the theory that power pitching….as well as consistency and endurance….which were the ear marks of his tenure in MLB….comes from the legs not the arm. Therefore….Ryan ran everyday whether he pitched or not….the same training regimen that allowed him to break Walter Johnson’s legendary career strikeout record at age 35….he was still doing every day at age 43….and on this particular day he won his 300th game….even though he had spent most of his career pitching for teams with losing records.
MLB – June 11, 1990 – Game Of The Week – Texas Rangers Vs Milwaukee Brewers – Featuring Nolan Ryan’s 6th No Hitter
Throughout Nolan’s 27 year career….he tied Bob Feller with 12 one-hitters….he pitched 18 two-hitters….had 277 wild pitches….allowed the fewest hits per nine innings at 6.51….had 7 no-hitters….had 5,714 strikeouts….served up 2,795 walks….all of which are all time MLB records in the history of the game….with many of these records coming after his 40th birthday. He threw is first no-hitter on May 15, 1973 at age 26 in a 3 – 0 victory by the Angels over the KC Royals. He broke the MLB no-hit games record on September 26, 1981 in his 15th year in the majors at age 34 in a 5 – 0 victory by the Astros over the Dodgers…..and he broke his own MLB record with his “6th No No” at age 43 on June 11, 1990 in a 5 -0 Ranger win over the Oakland A’s….which was also the same year as he won his “Magical 300th”….significant accomplishments for a “43 yr old flame thrower”….who could still hum it at 95 – 97 mph in the 8th inning….oh my God Dog….can you say “HEAT, Inc.” ?
MLB – 1966 To 1993 – Special Highlights Of Nolan Ryan Showing Off His Fastball
On this day….June 30, 1990….Big Tex recorded his 300th win….with the best quote to appearing in the Ft Worth Star Telegram….the local newspaper for the Texas Rangers….was said by the Ranger pitching coach….Tom House….when he summed up the legend of Nolan Ryan by saying….”You know how the media can make more of someone than he really is? Nolan is one of the few superstars ever who is everything he appears to be and more.”
MLB – 1999 – Baseball Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony – Featuring The Induction Speech Of Nolan Ryan
