Famous People Who Overcame Dyslexia

Nolan Ryan

Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. (born January 31, 1947) is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for more than a quarter century and still holds many major league pitching records, some of which are so far beyond any previous marks that they are likely to stand for many years to come, if not forever. He was most noted for his blazing fastball and his longevity, routinely throwing 100+ MPH pitches even into his forties.

Given that he has broken many of Sandy Koufax's previously thought to be untouchable records, Ryan is frequently compared to him much in the way that Babe Ruth is to Hank Aaron or Ted Williams to Pete Rose and Ty Cobb. There are many similarities; both started in the majors at a very young age and struggled early in their careers, both were primarily "extreme fastball" pitchers noted for achieving previously unprecedented strikeout totals and multiple no-hitters, and both were very closed and private away from the game (though Koufax more so than Ryan). But there are many differences too; Koufax pitched left-handed and Ryan right-handed; despite his early troubles, Koufax played his entire career with one team whereas Ryan played for several, and most importantly, Ryan had one of the longest careers of any player whereas Koufax's was cut short by arthritis and arm trouble. Nonetheless, both stand out as the premier "power pitchers" of their time, if not all-time.

Ryan ranks first all-time in strikeouts (5714), fewest hits allowed per nine innings (6.56), fifth in innings pitched (5386), second in games started (773), seventh in shutouts (61) and tied for 13th in wins (324). He also ranks high on the list for three "negative" records; because he was wild as a young pitcher, he piled up the walks and ranks first all-time in walks allowed with 2795, in wild pitches with 277, and he also ranks third all-time in losses, with 292.

Nolan Ryan was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999, in his first year of eligibility. He was inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame in 2003.

His current business interests include ownership of two minor league teams – the Corpus Christi Hooks, which currently play in the Class AA Texas League, and the Round Rock Express, a Class AAA team in the Pacific Coast League.

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