Nolan Ryan - Rangers prez

[j-6]

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/457224.html

Nolan Ryan is back.

Sources within the Rangers' organization and Ryan's Round Rock Express minor league franchise confirmed this morning that Ryan and team owner Tom Hicks have reached an agreement that will make the former Rangers pitcher and Hall of Famer the club’s new president.

A news conference announcing Ryan’s return is expected at 3 p.m. today.

Hicks and Ryan had met in Georgetown, along with Tom Hicks Jr. and media relations director Jim Sundberg, for lunch on Jan. 25 to talk about the possibility of Ryan forgoing the final year of his personal services contract with the Houston Astros in order to return to the Rangers’ fold.

Details of the contract were apparently worked out over the last few days.

Hicks and the Rangers had requested permission to talk to Ryan sometime in late November and Astros owner Drayton McLane had agreed, though he later told Houston media that he expected that Ryan would finish his contract with the Astros.

Ryan spent the final five years (1989-1993) of his playing career pitching for the Rangers, reaching such milestones as his 5,000th strikeout, his 300th victory and his record-extending sixth and seventh no-hitters.

He spent 10 years with the club after retiring, fulfilling a personal services contract with the Rangers during which the team used him as an adviser and for personal appearances. Five years after Ryan’s retirement as an active pitcher, he was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, where his plaque depicts him wearing a Rangers cap.

Since his retirement, Ryan has been part owner and operator of a Triple A franchise at Round Rock and a Double A franchise at Corpus Christi. Both are affiliated with the Astros and have been highly successful operations.

A few years ago he and wife Ruth moved from their longtime home in Alvin to Georgetown, to be closer to the Round Rock team.

His desire to remain closer to home led to his leaving the Rangers at the end of his 10-year personal services contract and he signed a similar, 5-year deal with the Astros.

Ryan’s sons Reid and Reese, both TCU graduates, are highly active in the family’s minor league operations

[Whisky Dog]

okie dokie.

[samikeyp]

Hell yes.

Glad to see Big Tex back in the fold. :tu

[FromWayDowntown]

If only he could find someone who could pitch like he could.

At least the Rangers are more likely to win the AL Club Presidents' Rumble at the next winter meetings.

[samikeyp]

If only he could find someone who could pitch like he could.

At least the Rangers are more likely to win the AL Club Presidents' Rumble at the next winter meetings.


True, whomever they play in the company softball league better not dig in. :)

[FromWayDowntown]

True, whomever they play in the company softball league better not dig in. :)

Though I guess when Clemens becomes an executive with the Astros, the World Series of Club Presidents Rumbles will be a mostly Texas affair.

It's probably a good thing for the other clubs that none have hired Robin Ventura; the Rangers would be able to get whatever they wanted out of that club.

[monosylab1k]

DAMN RIGHT. Back in Arlington where he belongs! Just like the Silver Boot! What do ASSTrolls fans think of that?

[Melmart1]

DAMN RIGHT. Back in Arlington where he belongs! Just like the Silver Boot! What do ASSTrolls fans think of that?
Paging ATRAIN :lol

I wonder if Ryan will stick to the business side like a President or want something to do with the baseball side as well, and how this might affect JD. Only time will tell.

But I love me some Nolan Ryan, happy to see him back with the Rangers. :clap

[samikeyp]

It never gets old.....:)

dKRQyS1gIJE

[Spuradicator]

Never get tired of that clip. Ryan is the man!

[CubanMustGo]

Wow, WFAA showed a clip of Nolan at his press conference - he did not look or sound well. Hope it was just a case of the flu.

[whottt]

This isn't just going to be ceremonial BS here...Nolan will fix the Rangers. He might talk like a hick but he's a smart dude, both when it comes to business and when it comes to talent and how to win in baseball....his deep love for loser baseball teams(all of the ones he chose to play for) aside.


I've read most of his autobiographies and his talent evaluations and future predictions for some of the players he played with and against were insanely accurate....


For instance, in Throwing Heat they ask him who of that generation has a chance of being called the greatest ever...

His answer?

Barry Bonds(even though he wasn't a fan of Bonds' attitude).

Keep in mind...Throwing Heat was written in 1987 or 1988, Barry Bonds was at the most 2 years into his career and was little more than a great base stealer with decent power, and nice arm, pretty similar to his dad.


When he wrote Miracle Man(which came near the end of the Ranger years) he pegged Pudge as having a great chance at becoming the greatest catcher ever...Pudge was like 20 or 21 years old when that book came out.


He's a smart dude and he's one of the rare genetic freaks that actually has an eye for talent and a knowledge of the game.



I can promise you this...

Pitching and defense will be the top priority for this organization, and every fastballing FA pitcher in America will want to sign with the Rangers just because of Nolan.


He's got that kind of charisma and leadership.

And again...this guy knows baseball, and he knows what it takes to win.


The kind of players he likes are the scrappy smart guys....like Pete Rose.

I know people bash Pete Rose but he was probably the greatest proven winner ever in baseball(you lead the Phillies to the World Series, you get in that argument).



Nolan will turn the Rangers into winners....and he's the smartest baseball man to ever be in charge of this organization.




Oh...one last thing about his knowledge of the game and eye for talent...



A 10 minute conversation and demonstration session with Nolan Ryan turned Randy Johnson from a hard throwing eratic lefty into arguably the most dominant lefty in history.


Nolan knows baseball...we won't be doing stupid crap with him calling the shots. And we won't be on an endless cycle of signing home run hitters and nothing else.


Nolan? He's the real deal when it comes to baseball. The. Real. Deal.


It's a good time to be a RangerFan...


Welcome home Nolan :tu


Seriously...this isn't ceremonial BS. This is the Popovich hiring moment in Rangers' history...I've been waiting for this for my entrire life as a sports fan(since the mid seventies). The Rangers were the first team I followed and I've followed them the longest...


It's about fucking time.


The fucked up thing is that prior to this the best thing that ever happened to the Rangers mgmt was W. The highwater mark.

[Mister Sinister]

DAMN RIGHT. Back in Arlington where he belongs! Just like the Silver Boot! What do ASSTrolls fans think of that?
Meh.

[Whisky Dog]

This isn't just going to be ceremonial BS here...Nolan will fix the Rangers. He might talk like a hick but he's a smart dude, both when it comes to business and when it comes to talent and how to win in baseball....his deep love for loser baseball teams(all of the ones he chose to play for) aside.


I've read most of his autobiographies and his talent evaluations and future predictions for some of the players he played with and against were insanely accurate....


For instance, in Throwing Heat they ask him who of that generation has a chance of being called the greatest ever...

His answer?

Barry Bonds(even though he wasn't a fan of Bonds' attitude).

Keep in mind...Throwing Heat was written in 1987 or 1988, Barry Bonds was at the most 2 years into his career and was little more than a great base stealer with decent power, and nice arm, pretty similar to his dad.


When he wrote Miracle Man(which came near the end of the Ranger years) he pegged Pudge as having a great chance at becoming the greatest catcher ever...Pudge was like 20 or 21 years old when that book came out.


He's a smart dude and he's one of the rare genetic freaks that actually has an eye for talent and a knowledge of the game.



I can promise you this...

Pitching and defense will be the top priority for this organization, and every fastballing FA pitcher in America will want to sign with the Rangers just because of Nolan.


He's got that kind of charisma and leadership.

And again...this guy knows baseball, and he knows what it takes to win.


The kind of players he likes are the scrappy smart guys....like Pete Rose.

I know people bash Pete Rose but he was probably the greatest proven winner ever in baseball(you lead the Phillies to the World Series, you get in that argument).



Nolan will turn the Rangers into winners....and he's the smartest baseball man to ever be in charge of this organization.




Oh...one last thing about his knowledge of the game and eye for talent...



A 10 minute conversation and demonstration session with Nolan Ryan turned Randy Johnson from a hard throwing eratic lefty into arguably the most dominant lefty in history.


Nolan knows baseball...we won't be doing stupid crap with him calling the shots. And we won't be on an endless cycle of signing home run hitters and nothing else.


Nolan? He's the real deal when it comes to baseball. The. Real. Deal.


It's a good time to be a RangerFan...


Welcome home Nolan :tu


Seriously...this isn't ceremonial BS. This is the Popovich hiring moment in Rangers' history...I've been waiting for this for my entrire life as a sports fan(since the mid seventies). The Rangers were the first team I followed and I've followed them the longest...


It's about fucking time.


The fucked up thing is that prior to this the best thing that ever happened to the Rangers mgmt was W. The highwater mark.

Pretty lofty, but I hope you're right. I've been a Rangers fan for a while but have been relegated to just watching to see if they will make any strides at all and hope for a playoff birth but expecting a losing season. A far cry from being a Spurs fan.

[timvp]

This isn't just going to be ceremonial BS here...Nolan will fix the Rangers. He might talk like a hick but he's a smart dude, both when it comes to business and when it comes to talent and how to win in baseball....his deep love for loser baseball teams(all of the ones he chose to play for) aside.


I've read most of his autobiographies and his talent evaluations and future predictions for some of the players he played with and against were insanely accurate....


For instance, in Throwing Heat they ask him who of that generation has a chance of being called the greatest ever...

His answer?

Barry Bonds(even though he wasn't a fan of Bonds' attitude).

Keep in mind...Throwing Heat was written in 1987 or 1988, Barry Bonds was at the most 2 years into his career and was little more than a great base stealer with decent power, and nice arm, pretty similar to his dad.


When he wrote Miracle Man(which came near the end of the Ranger years) he pegged Pudge as having a great chance at becoming the greatest catcher ever...Pudge was like 20 or 21 years old when that book came out.


He's a smart dude and he's one of the rare genetic freaks that actually has an eye for talent and a knowledge of the game.



I can promise you this...

Pitching and defense will be the top priority for this organization, and every fastballing FA pitcher in America will want to sign with the Rangers just because of Nolan.


He's got that kind of charisma and leadership.

And again...this guy knows baseball, and he knows what it takes to win.


The kind of players he likes are the scrappy smart guys....like Pete Rose.

I know people bash Pete Rose but he was probably the greatest proven winner ever in baseball(you lead the Phillies to the World Series, you get in that argument).



Nolan will turn the Rangers into winners....and he's the smartest baseball man to ever be in charge of this organization.




Oh...one last thing about his knowledge of the game and eye for talent...



A 10 minute conversation and demonstration session with Nolan Ryan turned Randy Johnson from a hard throwing eratic lefty into arguably the most dominant lefty in history.


Nolan knows baseball...we won't be doing stupid crap with him calling the shots. And we won't be on an endless cycle of signing home run hitters and nothing else.


Nolan? He's the real deal when it comes to baseball. The. Real. Deal.


It's a good time to be a RangerFan...


Welcome home Nolan :tu


Seriously...this isn't ceremonial BS. This is the Popovich hiring moment in Rangers' history...I've been waiting for this for my entrire life as a sports fan(since the mid seventies). The Rangers were the first team I followed and I've followed them the longest...


It's about fucking time.


The fucked up thing is that prior to this the best thing that ever happened to the Rangers mgmt was W. The highwater mark.

You better have been watching :depressed

[tlongII]

Wow. Talk about calling your shot...

[Melmart1]

Classic bump. timvp, are you ready to show your Rangers roots again? You gotta take the mantle as biggest Rangers fan on ST. Time to pass the torch.