Nolan Ryan Talks ‘Facing Nolan’ Documentary, Robin Ventura & More with Rich Eisen | Full Interview

[@showtime951]

My father wasn't in my life much growing up. But Nolan Ryan was. Imagine being 11-13 years old and being a Little League pitcher, and Nolan Ryan is your favorite player. Now imagine Nolan and his wife, Ruth are friends, neighbors, you played catch with him, babysit for them. He has been one of the greatest influences of my life. The day he signed the Houston Astros contract and he would no longer be a California Angel is still one of the darkest I can remember. Thank you for leading by example off the field, Nolan, and thank you for allowing me to watch up close the best damn pitcher The Game of Baseball has ever known. And thank you, God!

[@ami2evil]

Thank you, gawd?

[@davidmullens7565]

Thanks for sharing your story 😊

[@brucewayne3602]

unmatched longevity & brilliance ===Nolan Express !!!

[@NOMAD3030]

I watched bo hit the longest homerun in the old rangers stadium right before nolans 5000. I was behind home plate when that happened.

[@showtime951]

@@NOMAD3030- When Bo hit the ball hard it just sounded different. The ball experienced more pain, I think. I watched him take batting practice several times before Royals games (vs. Angels) and when he would hit a long ball it sounded like somebody dropped a wood pallet from 50 ft. at a shipping yard.

[@golfmanfl]

Was blessed to see him pitch a 1-hitter in his next start after throwing his 7th no-no. Truly a great who has so many records that will NEVER be broken. Certainly won't ever see a pitcher go 27 years or ever sniff his complete games records.

[@paulfasse8032]

Nolan Ryan I have so much respect for. Bless with a unbelievable fastball and other pitches to go along with. Humble man just have always loved him.

[@cwc8979]

He had an awesome curveball

[@r3tr0actiongamer24]

I can listen to baseball stories all day

[@markpekrul4393]

I was such a huge Ryan fan by the early 90s, my soon-to-be-wife had to lay down the law and preemptively tell me if we had a son his first and middle names could NOT be Nolan and Ryan. As it turns out my son was named after my dad, so crisis averted. But seriously, I cannot wait to watch this new doc.

[@baberRuth]

I hv a full ticket of last gm in Seattle.

[@TheRebuilt1]

Truly a man's man. I mean I didn't know he was in the Reserves and balancing his pitching career with the duty to the country. Mad respect to him.

[@kevinherd3437]

This man was a workhorse, his off day workouts were legendary. I was at the big A for Nolan Ryan day in the 70's an the pop of his fastball into the mitt just sounded different

[@charlesroberts2089]

Indeed. I saw him at the Big A 3 rows back near the dugout. Amazing

[@jcpaul6824]

Kevin Herd. Do you mean like a higher pitch pop sound different?

[@theraspful]

@@jcpaul6824 yep

[@ARod-br2ui]

You should’ve heard that pop in the astrodome.

[@valeriafaraldo4094]

What a competitor this guy was. I remember being at Veterean’s stadium in Philly the day Pete Rose was about to tie and break Musial’s record of most hits in NL. Nolan Ryan was pitching that day and Pete Rose got the hit that tied the record but after that Ryan struck him out 3 times in a row. He was not going to allow Rose to get his way.

[@usaveteran-retired6464]

Both Rose and Ryan still have great respect for one another.

[@normlee6566]

In my lifetime (and I didn't get to see Satchel Page), Ryan is the one power pitcher who maintained his dominating stuff longer than any MLB player I have ever seen...excluding those who juiced up (I see you, Clemens). Generating power with those legs and escaping major arm injuries with the help of his clean delivery, good genes, good fortune, and maintaining his fitness...really kept him in the pipe for so long.

[@aaronjohnson3463]

Paige wasn't tossing no hitters

[@chazzx1018]

​@@aaronjohnson3463and didn't face the caliber of hitters Ryan did. He pitched against juicers and body builders late in his career.

[@baberRuth]

Saw his 5K game. Ricky Goes down swinging. Saw his 1st 2 Rangers openers. Lived in Houston.

[@jaysantos536]

My son (Southwestern University Junior Pitcher) Ben Ludwig was Nolan's stand-in for camera angles for pitching scenes at Dell Diamond. Nolan wasn't there but it was still a thrill for Ben.

[@steely_Bob]

The Pride of Alvin,Texas!

[@stonedstansmith]

Truly a living legend 💯

[@davidmullens7565]

Nolan Ryan, my all time favorite pitcher. Texas legend. Baseball ⚾ Icon

[@kroakie4]

I was fortunate to see him play in several games when I was young. I’d love to meet him. He was tough stuff while on the mound but seems like a really nice guy otherwise.

[@brucebrown997]

When he sign with the Astros I was really excited and it made baseball worth following for young fan from New Mexico.

[@DannyXXXXX]

I don't care about numbers...he was the greatest pitcher of all time.

[@r3tr0actiongamer24]

He wasn't but he's definitely near the top

[@Zobin211]

Listen man, you can care about the numbers and still make a case for Nolan Ryan being the GOAT ... or certainly among the greats. I love Nolan Ryan!

[@randy4395]

No,he wasn't even close to the best,not even in the conversation.

[@dukedematteo1995]

@@randy4395 I have him 10th all time. He walked way too many to be the best ever.

[@randy4395]

@@Zobin211 No,you can't.He isn't even close.

[@jamie49868]

I would wager he could throw his age. Either way, the greatest arm ever.

[@blessembreaks]

Easily

[@stevecox2020]

Nolan's such a badass. No surprise he honored his military obligation.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

Probably my favorite pitcher growing up. I was not a pitcher, but would be called in to pitch every so often in a parks and recreation league. One of my coaches sarcastically nicknamed me "Nolan" because my pitches barely made it over the plate with any kind of velocity. I wonder how much difference there is, speed-wise, between guys like Walter Big Train Johnson, Bob Feller, Ryan, and, say, Aroldis Chapman.

[@fredkruse9444]

Have you seen the "Fastball" documentary?

[@paulhoffer3123]

Have ALWAYS loved HIS TEXAN accent.

[@nozrep]

you are right, me too! yet also as a Texan, I feel weirdly and somehat jokingly obligated to inform you that there are actually several different accents in Texas because it is such a large place. East Texas, West Texas, City Accents, Central Texas, and or North Texas Panhandle accents to name several. lol. they all have similarities while also having unique individual characteristics.

[@justinbranham7708]

@@nozrep Its interesting to hear someone else say that because its very true.There is a very distinct accent in a small are of southeast Texas, near Halletsville, El Campo, Garwood, Wharton area. Not really like anything else in Texas.

[@enriquebarragan5565]

I’ve been blessed to watch many great players in all sorts of sports and this man is in my top favorites.

[@Bambino_60]

This is the GOAT

[@baberRuth]

I'd take Gooden, Pedro and 20 others to pitch my tms gm 7 any day. And I was as big a fan there was.

[@lestermount3287]

I took my daughter to a Ranger's game when she was about ten and Ryan was pitching we were sitting inside first base in row 16, you could hear the ball buzz when he threw a fast ball

[@MrWCLewis12]

Watching Nolan just warm up before a game was mind blowing. The GOAT. His records will never be touched. Certainly not the way pitchers are used today as he described.

[@baberRuth]

No one's a bigger fan. But goat? Not even top 30. Walks score runs. His best was as a Ranger.

[@elvicare35]

He was SO cool!!!!!!!

[@jonathanriddle7699]

Walking & Living LEGEND!

[@thebiggianthead8364]

What a treat!! Got to see Nolan in his prime, the pop his pitches made when they hit the catchers glove were not made by any other. Sat eight rows behind home plate this season to watch Joyce throw 105, amazing, but no pop like Nolan. HE WAS AMAZING!!!

[@ahol9120]

My favorite all time ball player! He was just unreal! Can't wait for the docu watching the trailer gave me goosebumps!

[@charlesroberts2089]

Indeed. I saw him at the Big A 3 rows back near the dugout. Amazing

[@baberRuth]

Moved fr Houston to MN for 92 Twins opener. Sat behind home plate w Knoblauch's dad. Ryan pitching to his son.

[@100564jbm]

Baseball would be better if we had Nolan playing now

[@jlobiafra]

With analytics he wouldn't be the Nolan we all know

[@055zww]

Greatest pitcher of all time!

[@Fakeaorta]

Nope... One of the best, but Koufax was the best!

[@aaronjohnson3463]

I'd take Nolan anyday

[@michaeltootikian4402]

Great interview

[@projoebiochem]

Two of my sports heroes embrace their Texas drawls. I love to hear Nolan Ryan and AJ Foyt talk.

[@Zobin211]

Robin Ventura question at 11:04.

[@paulburke56]

Saw the movie last night, was very good, really enjoyed it.

[@kroakie4]

I’m not much of a sports fan. But I adore Nolan Ryan.

[@brendonnorris6831]

A true Texan

[@standepain]

6:47 BAM!!! Nailed it!

[@lisamartinez6899]

I can remember watching him ! And wow ! What mechanics !

[@MrRufusRToyota]

Just an observation. Every time Nolan threw a no-hitter, a one hitter, or a two hitter, every batter saw him at least three times.

[@elvicare35]

Ah, YUP!!!!!!!

[@garygemmell3488]

I don't know what would be more frightening; getting hit in the ribs by his fastball or hearing the sizzling sound as it cut thru the air as it misses and goes past your head.

[@elvicare35]

Lol, quite a choice!!!!!!!

[@lisamartinez6899]

Love it !

[@-sensibleChris]

The Mets had no idea what they had with Nolan Ryan.

[@DasKrug]

The only team he ever won a world series title with.

[@chazzx1018]

He was raw in those days and lacked control. Plus they had a pretty good staff.

[@texaslonestar748]

Now that's a real 💯 TEXAN

[@234drexel]

Is and always will be the best ever.

[@VintageAbed]

Yea I miss the days of pitchers going complete games, even if they gave up 3 or 4 runs, they wanted to finish those games. We all understand why it's tougher now for them to go 3 or 4 times through a lineup, but pitchers also gotta understand how to induce weak contact, they don't always need to look for the K.

[@78bcat]

But have you watched how mediocre MLB defense is? It's like 90% of these guys stopped improving in high school...even middle school.

[@nozrep]

i may be remembering incorrectly or making up memories but I seem to remember a few years ago maybe ten years ago like, ‘11, ‘12, ‘13-ish that there was a brief resurgence in pitchers doing complete games. But I guess that went away already? Or I was imagining that maybe?

[@simonpartyof4597]

My middle name is Ryan. After this man! 😎

[@tracercarter3174]

Refugio, TX

[@Gromble_Sir]

Just got me a Jacksonville Suns Nolan Ryan jersey ☀️

[@havefunbesafe]

Legit badass

[@dwh8310]

I always thought if Ryan had given Ventura noogies it would have been much more of a classic.

[@vinceschenden7349]

.........Or the Dutch Rub!

[@jorgejohnson451]

11:04 …For anyone who’s interested.

[@cameron77723]

GOAT!

[@NOMAD3030]

I grew up watching nolan and charlie huff

[@TMC1982Part2]

Is Nolan Ryan the greatest pitcher in MLB history to never win the Cy Young Award? I know that the channel Baseball Historian called appropriately enough "Why did Nolan Ryan NEVER win a Cy Young Award?" delves into this topic to find some answers. I recall that in the 1987 season with the Houston Astros, Nolan Ryan had a record of 8-16 even though he still managed to win the National League ERA title and had the most strikeouts of anybody pitching in the NL that year.

[@DalonCole]

God bless Texas

[@jennifursun3303]

PLEASE PLEASE if any fans know where I can get a copy of the Braves vs Padres 1984 game with the brawl let me know i have tried a few places and never had any luck

[@lisamartinez6899]

Nope remembered for that fabulous pitching !

[@highlonesome-coloradobluegrass]

He is 76 not 79.

[@chrish931]

Metrics have ruined baseball.

[@brentcline4552]

Ryan definitely had the most dominating stuff, but I would say Maddux was a little better overall.

[@stretchstretch9112]

I grew up watching a cool guy

[@jasonadams8961]

🐐🐐🐐

[@davidrice3337]

I think so -

[@mmfruitveg]

WOW

[@stephenkrueger724]

Pitiful interview. This guy was a stud. Nothing about his no-nos or all his one hitters. Instead a discussion about others. This man deserves you to talk about him. Eisen do your research. All he did was touch the surface by talking about others.

[@joemorris2886]

Dandy Don. 😅