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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Q&A with former Ranger great and current minority owner Nolan Ryan

I understand Nolan Ryan’s warblin’ Pat Buttram-speak can be tough at times…but Jerry Kuzman and Bill Sanger?

Q: What was your favorite pitching rotation to be a part of during your playing days? Not necessarily the best, but your favorite?

A: “Its hard to say. I would have to say probably when I was with the Mets, pitching alongside Jerry Kuzman and Tom Seaver. Those guys were definitely the most talented pitchers I’ve ever pitched with. But when I was with the Angels, Frank Tanana and Bill Sanger was a pretty strong rotation.”

Q: Last question, off the top of your head, if you could sit down and eat dinner or have some drinks with any two famous people, dead or alive, who completes your ultimate dining and conversation experience?

A: “(Laughing) Good question, you know Condoleeza Rice would definitely be one of them because I really respect her and the job that she did. And then here, it’s John Wayne. Growing up and watching his career and being here in Texas, I just really respect him a lot.”

Repoz Posted: February 13, 2013 at 06:42 AM | 17 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: rangers

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1. Matt Welch Posted: February 13, 2013 at 08:28 AM (#4368540)

Ryan, Tanana, and "Sanger" were in the same rotation for all of the three months. They were pretty good then, though.

2. depletion Posted: February 13, 2013 at 09:17 AM (#4368556)

Cool newspaper. They managed to mispell two All-star pitchers in two sentences. But they got Condoleeza right!

3. JRVJ Posted: February 13, 2013 at 10:15 AM (#4368578)

FWIW, facing Nolan Ryan and J.R. Richard in the same series that first half of 1980 must have been pretty daunting for hitters.

4. Misirlou is bad, he's nationwide Posted: February 13, 2013 at 10:19 AM (#4368583)

FWIW, facing Nolan Ryan and J.R. Richard in the same series that first half of 1980 must have been pretty daunting for hitters.

5. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: February 13, 2013 at 10:28 AM (#4368587)

A: “Its hard to say. I would have to say probably when I was with the Mets, pitching alongside Jerry Kuzman and Tom Seaver. Those guys were definitely the most talented pitchers I’ve ever pitched with. But when I was with the Angels, Frank Tanana and Bill Sanger was a pretty strong rotation.”

Wonder how those guys would've done against Cal Ripkin Jr. and Ryan Sandburg.

6. Ebessan Posted: February 13, 2013 at 10:37 AM (#4368593)

Don't know if it ever happened, though I suppose one could look it up on BBref if one were inclined, but a series of Ryan, Niekro, Richard would have created all kinds of messed up timing issues for the opposing hitters.

Oh, am I inclined.

The first series of the year against the Dodgers was Richard/Niekro/Ryan in the first three.

7. McCoy Wilfong for Money Posted: February 13, 2013 at 11:05 AM (#4368617)

14 runs in 35 innings.

First series against the Mets was also those three and they allowed 7 runs in 30 innings.

8. WahooSam Posted: February 13, 2013 at 11:44 AM (#4368673)

My favourite 3-game stretch for the Astros - each pitching performance was better than the last

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU198609230.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU198609240.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU198609250.shtml

9. Astroenteritis Posted: February 13, 2013 at 03:59 PM (#4368964)

My favourite 3-game stretch for the Astros - each pitching performance was better than the last

I lived across the street from the Astrodome at the time and made a last minute decision to attend the 9/25 game. The division race was already a foregone conclusion, but to see a no-hitter and the division clinching game at the same time was quite exciting.

10. Walt Davis Posted: February 13, 2013 at 05:14 PM (#4369034)

Nitpick (and debatable I suppose): Tanana was more talented than Koosman. Then his arm exploded and he was less talented than Koosman. Since Ryan was there when Tanana was Tanana, I deduct 3 saber points from his score.

11. base ball chick Posted: February 15, 2013 at 12:19 AM (#4370105)

and that pennant clinching game wasn't even sold out my mama said there were empty seats.

things changed so much - after roger clemens came to town. the day the astros clinched the WC - the last day of the 04 season it wasn't EVEN standing room only and the streets were packed too

and less than 3 years it was all gone. and it ain't coming back.

i keep tellin myself i should just be glad that i was there to see it cuz it ain't never comin back

12. Crispix Attacks 2: Swag Airlines Posted: February 15, 2013 at 02:10 AM (#4370130)

Cool newspaper. They managed to mispell two All-star pitchers in two sentences. But they got Condoleeza right!

No, they got Condoleezza wrong too.

13. YR Misses Reggie Bars Posted: February 15, 2013 at 02:31 AM (#4370133)

They didn't get it wrong, they were victims of bad intelligence.

14. Fred Lynn Nolan Ryan Sweeney Agonistes Posted: February 15, 2013 at 04:07 AM (#4370148)

FWIW, facing Nolan Ryan and J.R. Richard in the same series that first half of 1980 must have been pretty daunting for hitters.

Not just the hitters: handling that rotation might be Alan Ashby's best argument for the Hall of Fame.

15. Jack Carter, calling Beleaguered Castle Posted: February 15, 2013 at 04:42 AM (#4370149)

A: “(Laughing) Good question, you know Condoleeza Rice would definitely be one of them because I really respect her and the job that she did.

Holy shit.

I suppose she's a good pick if you want to meet in person the banality of evil, a corporate bagwoman who floated like pond scum to the top her field, then made a lateral move into mass murder because people and nations are just pieces on a chessboard. I'd be fascinated to sit with her for an hour and try to find any remorse at all.

As Orwell said, "In our time, political speech and writing are largely the defence of the indefensible." and Rice was as good at making war crimes sound like plausible strategy as anyone.

16. AROM Posted: February 15, 2013 at 10:25 AM (#4370201)

I'd be surprised if Ryan has not had dinner with Rice. He does have her former boss sit next to him for every Ranger playoff game. I'd imagine W could hook them up. Dinner with the Duke would be a little tougher.

If asked me that question it would be a tough one, but I'd go with at least one baseball pick: Branch Rickey, even though I'd have to abstain from drinking. Maybe Thomas Jefferson for the other.

17. Delorians Posted: February 15, 2013 at 11:26 AM (#4370226)

"i keep tellin myself i should just be glad that i was there to see it cuz it ain't never comin back"

Maybe not in the next few years, but I would never say never. I plan to live in Houston my whole life (I'm 39) and I hope to see the Astros in the World Series again.

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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Q&A with former Ranger great and current minority owner Nolan Ryan

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