Ryan's debut, 46 years ago today

[milladrive]

nolan_ryan_mets_hand_in_glove_photofile.jpg

Imagine another reality where that name conjures the image of an urban cowboy, the Texan in Broadway lights. Nolan Ryan, Tonto to Seaver's Lone Ranger, co-ace of the '86 World Champions (and other World Champions), mentor of a better-anchored Doc Gooden. Nolan Ryan, bringer of seven no-hitters to a Met club particularly blessed in that category. Nolan Ryan, ready with his investment group from the word "Madoff"... we can dream.

The 19-year-old Ryan made his Mets debut on September 11, 1966, brought into the sixth inning of a game against the Braves at Shea Stadium. He struck out his first batter. (He would strike out 5,713 more across 27 seasons -- but one at a time, as they say.) Felipe (father of Moises) Alou flied out for the second out. Then, Eddie Matthews took his third unavailing hack and was strikeout number two.

Ryan was granted another inning when the baseball gods requested he face Hank Aaron. The pitcher tapped the bag himself to take care of Aaron's ground ball; gave up a homer to Joe Torre; got a line drive right at-em, then closed the inning by tabulating Dennis Menke as strikeout number three.

Fifty-seven-hundred and ten to go.

http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/9/11/3306628/this-date-in-mets-history-september-11-nolan-ryans-debut

Gil with Jerry, Tom & Nolan:
Nolan, Tom, Jerry & Gil.jpg

Ryan's '69 WS Ring:
nolan-ryan 69-ring.jpg

In three more or less full seasons with the Mets, Ryan struck out 493 batters in 510 innings, including 16 against the Padres on May 29, 1970.

2009 @ Citi Field:
Nolan Ryan @ Citi Field 2009.jpg

[milladrive]

2009 @ Citi Field: Berra, Ryan, Grote, Seaver, Koosman & Dyer
2009 Nolan, Tom, Yogi, Koos, Grote, Duffy.jpg

Ryan & Seaver then...
Nolan and Tom then.jpg

...and now:
nolan-ryan-tom-seaver now.jpg

[Gary Dunaier]

Imagine another reality where that name conjures the image of an urban cowboy, the Texan in Broadway lights. Nolan Ryan, Tonto to Seaver's Lone Ranger, co-ace of the '86 World Champions (and other World Champions), mentor of a better-anchored Doc Gooden. Nolan Ryan, bringer of seven no-hitters to a Met club particularly blessed in that category. Nolan Ryan, ready with his investment group from the word "Madoff"... we can dream.

Unfortunately, in our reality, I don't think Ryan would have become the player we know had he stayed with the Mets. It's my understanding that he did not feel comfortable playing in New York, and if that's true it might have affected his performance.

The radio broadcast of Ryan's Major League Debut is available on CD, in very good to excellent sound quality. Do a search for "Miley Collection" and you'll find a couple of places where you can get it.

Finally, a few images of the period...

Wes Westrum's page from the 1967 Mets yearbook, which includes a photo of the Mets manager with "prodigy" Nolan Ryan (otherwise unrepresented in the '67 edition)...




A larger version of the photo of Westrum with Ryan...




Finally, a ticket stub from Nolan Ryan's 21st career game... September 3, 1968, Mets v. Atlanta at Shea Stadium. This was a doubleheader. The Mets won the first game, 4-3 (Seaver was the winning pitcher - he pitched 7 innings, gave up 8 hits, allowed 3 earned runs, and struck out 5). Atlanta won the second game 7-6 (Al Jackson got the loss; Nolan Ryan, in his 21st career game, pitched 4.1 innings, gave up 4 hits, allowed 1 earned run, and struck out 2)...

[milladrive]

Thank you much, Gary, for finding and presenting that page from the '67 yearbook. Indeed, Nolan was represented in the '66 and '68-thru-'70 books, but that's the only pic from 1967's book in which he appeared.

As well, thanks for the heads-up re the Miley Collection. I'll be downloading it just as soon as I reinstall my torrent prog.

Btw, I think you're right about Ryan in NYC. He may have been a nice part of the '69 equation, but he didn't really begin to shine like the sun until his first year with the Angels.