[Mick]

Three fun bits of trivia I just ran across:

1. Johnnie LeMaster and Duane Kuiper were the only double play duo who had the same birthday, June 19.

2. Kuiper had the only hit to break up three separate no-hitters; he got the lone singles in otherwise hitless games pitched by Andy Hassler (July 2, 1977), Nolan Ryan (May 5, 1978) and Ron Guidry (Sept. 24, 1978).

3. Not only does Ryan have the most no-hitters (7), he has the most one-hitters (12, shared with Bob Feller), the most two-hitters (18) and the most three-hitters (31). Ryan also gave up the most stolen bases (757), and the most wild pitches (277).

And yet, if Ryan was pitching today he’d be on a 110 pitch count……. Ryan was generally just getting loose around 100.  Had to consistently be around 150 in his earlier years.

Pitched till he was 45.  And was still throwing mid 90s in his early forties. Never won a CY despite having some ridiculous years.  Such as 1973 21-16. 2.87 ERA 326 IP 162 walks 383 Ks  (Palmer CY) 

1974. 22-16. 2.89 ERA. 332.2 IP. 202 walks 367 Ks (Catfish CY)

Cy voters looked at the W-L record back then.  Course, Angels were bad.  79-83 in ‘73 and 68-94 in ‘74.

HoF voters were a little more discerning. He was on 491 of 497 ballots, fifth-highest percentage all time after Rivera, Jeter, Griffey Jr. and Seaver.

Forgot to mention that Ryan was tied with Walter Johnson for most two-hitters. WJ led the league in strikeouts 12 times, Ryan led in 11.

Holds the all time mark for lowest hits per nine innings (6.56, min. 1,000 IP).

And as far as the 150 pitches goes...Ryan threw 235 pitches in a 13 inning game, 19 strikeouts, 10 walks (6/14/74). Started again on three days rest and threw six shutout innings against yankees.

Only pitcher in MLB history to pitch as a teenager and older than 45. Oldest to throw a no-hitter, first at 43/131 days, second at 44/90 days. Struck out 200+ hitters five times in his 40's.

WOn 10 or more games 20 times, tied with Greg Maddux for 2nd most behind Sutton's 21.

He was actually a much sharper pitcher in the post season...half the typical walk rate, just one wild pitch and didn't hit a batter in 58 2/3 postseason innings.

Ryan is the only player to have his number retired by three ball clubs (other than JR); #30 with the Angels, #34 with the Astros and Rangers.

[Mick]

Three fun bits of trivia I just ran across:

1. Johnnie LeMaster and Duane Kuiper were the only double play duo who had the same birthday, June 19.

2. Kuiper had the only hit to break up three separate no-hitters; he got the lone singles in otherwise hitless games pitched by Andy Hassler (July 2, 1977), Nolan Ryan (May 5, 1978) and Ron Guidry (Sept. 24, 1978).

3. Not only does Ryan have the most no-hitters (7), he has the most one-hitters (12, shared with Bob Feller), the most two-hitters (18) and the most three-hitters (31). Ryan also gave up the most stolen bases (757), and the most wild pitches (277).

And yet, if Ryan was pitching today he’d be on a 110 pitch count……. Ryan was generally just getting loose around 100.  Had to consistently be around 150 in his earlier years.

Pitched till he was 45.  And was still throwing mid 90s in his early forties. Never won a CY despite having some ridiculous years.  Such as 1973 21-16. 2.87 ERA 326 IP 162 walks 383 Ks  (Palmer CY) 

1974. 22-16. 2.89 ERA. 332.2 IP. 202 walks 367 Ks (Catfish CY)

Cy voters looked at the W-L record back then.  Course, Angels were bad.  79-83 in ‘73 and 68-94 in ‘74.

HoF voters were a little more discerning. He was on 491 of 497 ballots, fifth-highest percentage all time after Rivera, Jeter, Griffey Jr. and Seaver.

Forgot to mention that Ryan was tied with Walter Johnson for most two-hitters. WJ led the league in strikeouts 12 times, Ryan led in 11.

Holds the all time mark for lowest hits per nine innings (6.56, min. 1,000 IP).

And as far as the 150 pitches goes...Ryan threw 235 pitches in a 13 inning game, 19 strikeouts, 10 walks (6/14/74). Started again on three days rest and threw six shutout innings against yankees.

Only pitcher in MLB history to pitch as a teenager and older than 45. Oldest to throw a no-hitter, first at 43/131 days, second at 44/90 days. Struck out 200+ hitters five times in his 40's.

WOn 10 or more games 20 times, tied with Greg Maddux for 2nd most behind Sutton's 21.

He was actually a much sharper pitcher in the post season...half the typical walk rate, just one wild pitch and didn't hit a batter in 58 2/3 postseason innings.

Ryan is the only player to have his number retired by three ball clubs (other than JR); #30 with the Angels, #34 with the Astros and Rangers.