Nolan Ryan-Texas Fastball To Cooperstown

by Ken Anderson, Reid Ryan (Introduction)

A biography of Texas native Nolan Ryan, focusing on his baseball career, from Little League to the majors

158 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Licensed by the Evangelical Free Church, Ken first pastored in Isle, Minnesota and later in Newman Grove, Nebraska. Then he became involved in the newly formed ministry, Youth For Christ, and served as their first full-time Magazine Editor. Ken became connected to a fledgling organization called Baptista Films, where he wrote and then directed his first film drama. Later he launched Gospel Films. Over 200 Christian films have been produced since then, including original dramas for many foreign countries. As a pioneer in Christian films, Ken will be best remembered for the drama story, PILGRIM’S PROGRESS, produced in 1977. Featured in the story is Liam Neeson in his first screen role, as Evangelist. Ken began a writing career that spanned 7 decades. 77 books were published, at least 1 per decade, with 19 books alone published in the 40's. As an author, Ken will be best remembered for his work, WHERE TO FIND IT IN THE BIBLE, published in 1996 by Thomas Nelson. Over 4 million copies are in print, and it remains a busy seller on the Nelson backlist.

Reviews

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

What interests me about Nolan Ryan is that he is part owner of the double-A minor league team, the Round Rock Express. They play annually during the baseball season at the Dell Diamond Stadium in Round Rock, Texas. Presently I live south of Round Rock in Austin.

Nolan Ryan was born in Refugio, Texas on January 31, 1947. His family moved to Alvin, Texas just a few weeks later. In Alvin, as a young man he enjoyed playing baseball. He played on the Alvin High School baseball team. He was exceptionally good at pitching. His fastballs were amazing.

The Mets discovered Ryan. They were an underdog team that unexpectedly landed in the World Series. Ryan was a pitcher for the Mets when they won the World Series in 1969.

He had problems with his pitching arm. Blisters kept breaking out and making it painful for Ryan. He spent a lot of time on the bench. He got traded to the California Angels. He played exceptionally well with the Angels and enjoyed the California weather. His wife Ruth had two sons, Reid and Reese, and a daughter Wendy. Eventually Ryan decided it was time to move back to Texas where he and his wife Ruth were from. He signed as a free agent for $1 million with the Houston Astros. He was the highest paid player at the time. After about ten years with the Astros, he signed with the Texas Rangers where he played for about four years before finally having to give up the game in 1993 due to several injuries. In 1999, Ryan was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Coopertown, New York.

Ryan had a very successful, long career playing until he was around 45-46 years old. He broke several records, as he ended up pitching numerous amounts of no-hitters. I remember my friend Jim, who was a huge San Francisco Giants fan, used to tell me that baseball was really a pitcher’s game and now I can understand why.

[Romit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awsome book it you love baseball bios! Gives you good information that will appeal to baseball fans! Especially pitching fans.

[Joshua R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nolan Ryan is the best pitcher to walk on a baseball mound.