Nolan Ryan

Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr. (born January 31, 1947), nicknamed "the Ryan Express," is an American former professional baseball pitcher and sports executive. Over a record 27-year playing career in Major League Baseball, Ryan pitched for the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. After retiring in 1993, he served as chief executive officer of the Texas Rangers and as an executive advisor to the Houston Astros.

A right-handed power pitcher, Ryan consistently threw pitches clocked above 100 miles per hour, and was one of the first pitchers officially recorded doing so. He maintained that velocity throughout his career, remaining among the top pitchers in the major leagues into his mid-40s. He was also known for a 12–6 curveball thrown at exceptional velocity for a breaking ball.

Ryan compiled a lifetime win–loss record of 324–292 (.526) and was an eight-time All-Star. He recorded 5,714 career strikeouts, an MLB record. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999, in his first year of eligibility.