Nolan Ryan, The Outlier

Records in the Oort Cloud

Nolan Ryan is an anomaly, an outlier of epic dimension.

What the flame-throwing righthander achieved in his lifetime is beyond mind-boggling. And, given the evolving pitching strategies en vogue at the MLB level--bullpen games, starters not facing the batting order the third time around, starters often pitching just four to six innings, interchangeable middle relievers who threaten Edwin Jackson's record for most different teams played for in a career (14)--many of The Express' records will never be touched or even approached.

Let's get started:

CAREER STRIKEOUTS

5,714! Not a misprint 5,714! 839 or 14%--14%--more than Randy Johnson's second place total of 4,875!

To reach Ryan's rarified K air, a pitcher would need to average 300 strikeouts a season for 19+ consecutive seasons.

Since 1901, in MLB history, 300 strikeouts in a season has been achieved only 38 times, most recently by Justin Verlander (300) and Gerrit Cole (326) in 2019. The 38 times have been accomplished by 19 different pitchers. Of the 19 pitchers, 10 have struck out 300 batters in a season once. 5 pitchers have done it twice. 79% of the 19 pitchers who have whiffed 300 batters in a season have surpassed that total only once or twice.

Only 4 pitchers have struck out 300 batters in a season 3 or more times. Ryan and Randy Johnson leaped the 300 threshold 6 times. Curt Schilling and Sandy Koufax 3 times each.

And, to touch Ryan's record, a pitcher must reach that threshold in 19 seasons.

Well, how about 250 strikeouts in a season? 23 seasons averaging that total.

Since 1901, in MLB history, 250 strikeouts in a season has been achieved 135 times by 62 different pitchers. Only 1 pitcher exceeded that threshold in 2023--Spencer Strider with 281--and 2022--Gerrit Cole with 257. No pitcher accomplished the feat in 2021.

Of the 62 pitchers. 33 (53%) have struck out 250 batters in a season once. 10 pitchers have done it twice. 69% of the 62 pitchers who have whiffed 250 batters in a season have eclipsed that hurdle only once or twice.

Only 5 pitchers have struck out 250 batters in a season 5 or more times. Ryan and Randy Johnson leaped the 250 threshold 9 times. Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Roger Clemens did so 5 times each.

And, 200 strikeouts a season? 29 seasons. No pitcher has ever pitched in 29 seasons. Not even, Jaime Moyer. Or, Satchel Paige. Although Satch might have been able to if the leagues had been integrated in the 1940s.

Unbreakable, even with today's heavier strikeout game, yes, Ryan's K record is unapproachable.

CAREER BASES ON BALLS
During his 26-year career, Ryan walked a mind-numbing 2,795 batters! Yikes! 962 or 34% more than Steve Carlton's second place total of 1,833.

To reach Ryan's bases on balls Oort cloud, a pitcher would need to average 200 walks a season for 14 seasons. Done 3 times since 1901, twice by Ryan (204 in 1977 and 202 in 1974) and once by Bob Feller (208 in 1938).

Maybe, 125 bases on balls in a season? 22+ seasons. The last pitcher to walk 125 batters in a season was Matt Clements in 2000.

Stretch? 100 bases on balls over 28 seasons? No pitcher has pitched 28 seasons in the MLB. And, the last two pitchers to walk 100 batters in a season were Edinson Volquez (105) and Ricky Romero (105) in 2012. BTW--Romero was out of baseball the next season and Volquez' staggering career of mediocrity was over by 2020.

Mark Ryan's bases on balls record as unbreakable forever.

SEVEN NO-HITTERS

Ryan threw seven no-hitters in his career. Seven!

Next highest? Sandy Koufax with 4.

Only four other pitchers have tossed 3--Larry Corcoran, Bob Feller, Justin Verlander, and Cy Young.

Although no-hitters have become more frequent in the last few seasons--17 since 2021--11 were tossed by  first-timers and 6 were multiple pitcher no-hitters. The last pitcher to complete a second career no-hitter was Verlander, who scored his third on September 1, 2019, leading Houston to a 2-0 victory over Toronto.

And, to earn a no-hitter, a pitcher has to complete the game.

In his soon to be Hall of Fame, in 16 seasons, Max Scherzer has thrown 12 complete games. Clayton Kershaw? 25 in 16 seasons. Justin Verlander? 26 in 18 seasons. Zach Greinke? 17 in 20 seasons. Gerrit Cole? 8 in 11 seasons.

Ryan threw 222 complete games in his 27-year MLB career. Offered opportunities for no-hitters.

In his singular, record-breaking career, Nolan Ryan set standards that will never be equaled or even approached.

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