Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 12, 1993 TAG: 9302120237
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The Washington Post
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
'93 IS THE END FOR RYAN
So Nolan Ryan apparently won't go on pitching until the end of time, after all. The Texas Rangers' ageless wonder said Thursday that the 1993 baseball season - his record-breaking 27th in the major leagues - will be his last."You have to feel enough is enough, and I'm surprised I was here as long as I was," Ryan said during an evening news conference in Arlington, Texas. "When I first came [to the Rangers before the 1989 season] it was with the intention of being here one year . . . . I don't want to stay too long, and I'd rather be premature in leaving baseball than stay too late and have to retire in an awkward position."
Baseball will have the next eight months to say its goodbyes to one of the game's most amazing and endearing heroes. Ryan, who celebrated his 46th birthday last month, is the game's all-time leader - by wide margins - in strikeouts and no-hitters, and he holds approximately 50 other major-league records.
He has won 319 games since his big-league debut for the New York Mets in 1966, and the Texan has become as legendary for the easygoing manner in which he has handled his ever-increasing fame as for the 100 mph fastballs and knee-buckling curves that have made him every hitter's nightmare.
In recent seasons, Ryan increasingly has shown wear and tear. He has suffered nagging back, leg and shoulder injuries in recent seasons, and he has been on the disabled list four times in the past three years.
Last season, Ryan posted a 5-9 record and a 3.72 earned-run average in his 27 starts, and he notched 157 strikeouts in 157 innings - pretty good for most mortals. Texas' atrocious bullpen hurt him, and he certainly was no worse than the rest of his team. The Rangers finished 77-85 and in fourth place in the American League West.
The five victories represent Ryan's lowest total since he went 0-1 in a two-game stint with the Mets in '66. The right-hander went back to the minor leagues in '67, then returned to the majors for good the following year.
Ryan said his age, his injuries and family considerations were the reasons for his decision, which he said he made one day this winter while driving near his ranch in his beloved hometown of Alvin, Texas. Then Thursday, one week before most major-league clubs will report to spring training, Ryan walked into the Rangers' offices and let the team in on his plans.
"I wanted to go to spring training without having to deceive anyone," Ryan said. "I wanted people to have the opportunity to watch me pitch, and I wanted to let them know I was going to retire. Also, there is the physical part of it, and it became more difficult for me to find workout time. . . . The kids will be leaving home soon and I wanted to be with them."
Ryan earned $4.2 million from the Rangers last season and is to receive more than $4 million again this year. He has a 10-year personal services contract with the club after his retirement, but he insisted he will work in a public relations capacity, not as a coach or a manager.
Ryan said he wanted to avoid being like "a lot of guys who would like to die in their uniforms." And he indicated that he's left no room for reconsideration.
Ryan has a 319-287 record and a 3.17 ERA with the Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros and Rangers. His 27th season will allow him to break the longevity record he shares with catcher Deacon McGuire (1884-1912) and fellow pitcher Tommy John (1963-89). Ryan's 5,668 strikeouts put him 1,532 in front of runner-up Steve Carlton on the all-time list, and his seven no-hitters place him three ahead of Sandy Koufax.
Since his 40th birthday, Ryan has won 66 games, recorded 1,391 strikeouts and pitched two no-hitters. That's from a man the Angels claimed was too old when they allowed Ryan to escape to Houston via free agency - in November 1979.
Some 23 pages were devoted to Ryan in the Rangers' 1992 media guide - including four on which his strikeout victims are listed (three columns to a page) alphabetically, from Hank Aaron with his four to Paul Zuvella with his one.