Nolan Ryan: Curveball Secret Revealed!

Legendary pitcher Nolan Ryan, known for his unparalleled velocity and effective curveball, recently shared insights into his storied career. Ryan identified his seventh no-hitter as the most gratifying, particularly because it occurred late in his playing days.

Reflecting on memorable moments, Ryan noted that the incident involving Robin Ventura is frequently brought up and has become a significant part of baseball lore. He expressed his continued interest in watching current players, singling out Gerrit Cole as a pitcher he would pay to see.

When asked about hypothetical pitch counts in his era, Ryan stated he would have sought a discussion with his manager to understand the reasoning behind such a decision. He also speculated about a game against Boston where his pitch count may have exceeded 230.

Ryan fondly remembered his time with the Houston Astros, highlighting Terry Puhl and Craig Reynolds as close friends. He identified challenging hitters, particularly left-handed contact specialists like George Brett, Rod Carew, Tony Gwynn, and Pete Rose, as the most difficult to retire.