Nolan Ryan: The Making of a Pitcher [Hardcover]

To any baseball fan, Nolan Ryan’s name still conjures up images of blistering 100-mile-per-hour fastballs and knee-buckling curveballs. During his 27-year career, “The Ryan Express” was named an eight-time All-Star and amassed seven no-hitters and more than 5,700 strikeouts—more than any other pitcher in major-league history. This comprehensive biography of Nolan Ryan follows the baseball legend’s journey from the start of his professional career in 1965 to his retirement in 1993. Hall of Famers, journeymen, clubhouse workers, coaches, and trainers offer their own unique take on Ryan in this book filled with never-before-told anecdotes and personal recollections and peppered with eyewitness accounts of his greatest games. In the pages of this history, readers will discover what made Nolan Ryan one of the most revered and respected athletes and citizens of his time.

Nolan Ryan and Bob Gibson, were the two best competitors I ever faced.The Making of a Pitchertells you why. —Pete Rose, Baseball's all time hit leader This is the oral history of Nolan Ryan, the story of baseball's most legendary power pitcher as told by the teammates, friends and family members who have known him for decades. Rob Goldman is one of those friends, and he takes you beneath the Ryan Express label to share the secrets of Ryan's success on and off the field. —Bill Shaikin,LA Times Going back over four decades, just when you think you knew almost everything about the Nolan Ryan story, along comes this book, The Making of a Pitcher. I got a good education, and had a good time learning exactly what I didn't know. Rob Goldman gives us a Nolan look, and a Ruth Ryan look, that is a fun, interesting, and most of all, an entertaining read about two Texas icons. Yes, two. Nolan and Ruth. —Randy Galloway, Fort Worth Star-Telegram Nolan Ryan is a tribute to the American way, livilÓ+