Nolan Ryan Was Actually BETTER Than You Thought

Описание: This documentary chronicles the unparalleled career of Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr., the flame-throwing right-hander from Refugio, Texas who dominated hitters across four decades and redefined what was possible for a power pitcher. Born in 1947 and raised in Alvin, Texas, the Ryan Express combined a fastball that routinely exceeded one hundred miles per hour with a devastating curveball to accumulate 5,714 strikeouts, a record so staggering that it may never be approached.

Follow Ryan from his early days with the New York Mets, where he contributed to the Miracle Mets championship of 1969 alongside Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Gary Gentry, and Tug McGraw. This film examines his transformative trade to the California Angels in 1971, where pitching coach Tom Morgan helped Ryan harness his electric but wild arm, leading to four seasons of over 300 strikeouts and the first four of his record seven no-hitters.

Discover how Ryan became the most feared pitcher of his generation, striking out legends like Reggie Jackson, Rod Carew, Carl Yastrzemski, and George Brett while earning the respect and admiration of fellow flamethrowers like Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, and Steve Carlton. The documentary explores his tenure with the Houston Astros, where he returned to his home state and formed a formidable rotation alongside Joe Niekro, Mike Scott, and Bob Knepper while mentoring young pitchers and becoming a beloved Texas icon.

This comprehensive biography examines Ryan's remarkable longevity and his final chapter with the Texas Rangers, where he threw his sixth and seventh no-hitters at ages forty-three and forty-four, baffling a new generation of hitters including Rickey Henderson, Robin Yount, and Roberto Alomar. Learn about his legendary confrontations with Robin Ventura, whose ill-advised charge to the mound resulted in one of baseball's most iconic moments, and his fierce battles against rivals like Dave Winfield, Andre Dawson, and Julio Franco.

The film explores Ryan's relationships with catchers who handled his overpowering arsenal, including Jeff Torborg, who caught his first two no-hitters, and his longtime batterymates Alan Ashby and Ivan Rodriguez, who endured countless bruised hands in pursuit of strikeout records. Featuring analysis of his influence on power pitchers who followed, including Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, and Justin Verlander, this documentary reveals how the small-town Texan with the humble demeanor and violent delivery became baseball's all-time strikeout king.

From his early struggles with control and blisters to his post-playing career as team president of the Rangers and later the Astros, discover why Nolan Ryan remains the definitive symbol of pitching power and durability in baseball history.