And that’s what makes this a great game, is the support and the commitment that the fans give the game. – Nolan Ryan
I can honestly say it took two full years for me to get over the fact that I was no longer a baseball player. – Nolan Ryan
And when I went to Houston, they had a conditioning coach by the name of Gene Coleman. And that was the first time I had gone to an organization that had a program with a weight room and designed specifically for pitchers. – Nolan Ryan
And to play as long as I did and to have a family you have to be very blessed and I was with my wife Ruth. Ruth, I appreciate the job you did, and my three fine children, Reid, Reese, and Wendy. – Nolan Ryan
I came into the game when I broke into the major leagues, the minimum salary was seven thousand dollars, and I’d have to go home in the wintertime and get a job. – Nolan Ryan
I am going to spend my time today just thanking the people that played a role in my career, because I truly do believe that I was blessed by a lot of people that paths crossed mine as I went down the road in my career. – Nolan Ryan
And I’m a believer that you take a negative and turn it into a positive, and as it turned out, it was one of the best things that ever happened to me. And so I do appreciate the Ranger staff and the Ranger organization for giving me that opportunity. – Nolan Ryan
And when I retired, trust me, not only did Nolan Ryan, but the entire Ryan family had withdrawals from baseball. And it was tough. – Nolan Ryan
Dick Moss, my agent. Dick became my agent in 1979 when I signed my contract with the Houston Astros. – Nolan Ryan
Everyone has limits. You just have to learn what your own limits are and deal with them accordingly. – Nolan Ryan
And then when I went to stay in ’68, I can honestly say that I was not focused on my career and on what it took to be a major league pitcher and to be a starting pitcher. – Nolan Ryan
It took me a while to figure that out and to realize what a gift that I had been given. And when I finally did, I dedicated myself to be the best pitcher I possibly could be, for as long as I possibly could be. – Nolan Ryan
When I got traded to the California Angels, I really wasn’t that excited about going to the Angels because it meant changing leagues and also a whole new set of teammates. But shortly after I got there I realized that it was one of the best things that ever happened to me. – Nolan Ryan
I always thought that there was going to be life after baseball, and so I designed that in my life I would have other interests after baseball that I would be able to step into. And I didn’t realize the grip that baseball had on me and on my family. – Nolan Ryan
One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something. – Nolan Ryan
For my children, they spent 15 to 20 years of their life in baseball. And Ruth and I spent so many years of our married life that that was our life. We knew nothing else. – Nolan Ryan
Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent. – Nolan Ryan
I had the pleasure, as Robin said, to live a childhood dream as many young Americans and Puerto Rican children live that play youth baseball. And I feel honored and very thankful for that opportunity. – Nolan Ryan
