ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -Nolan Ryan was hired Wednesday as president of the Texas Rangers, reuniting the Hall of Famer with the struggling team he pitched for at the end of his incredible career.
The Rangers introduced the 61-year-old Texas native with the fanfare of a major free-agent signing, bringing the career strikeout leader into a packed stadium hall that cheered after a highlight video trumpeted the return of The Ryan Express.
“I’ve known since I was a player that I’d like to be involved in the shaping of an organization,” Ryan said. “This gives me that opportunity.”
Ryan threw an unmatched seven no-hitters and won 324 games in a record 27 major league seasons. The last five of those came with the Rangers and included his final two no-hitters and 5,000th strikeout.
otal point in club history. Ryan retired with the Rangers in 1993, leaving the game as a fan favorite who was as well known for his sizzling fastball as his toughness and work ethic.
“Nolan is the biggest hero we’ve ever had as an organization,” Hicks said. “He’s our hero. He’s also a guy who happens to be a very successful businessman.”
Ryan replaces Jeff Cogen, who was moved by Hicks to the Dallas Stars during a shake-up of his hockey team in November.
Ryan will be in charge of baseball operations, a role that Hicks said Cogen didn’t have as president. Hicks described Ryan as an asset useful in evaluating the character of players and prospects while dealing with business issues as president.
“I don’t come in with any preconceived ideas about what I’m going to do,” Ryan said. “I think it’s going to be a learning process.”
In recent years, Ryan has been a consultant for the Houston Astros, another former team, and part owner of two Astros minor league teams in Texas.
He leaves the Astros with more than a year remaining on a five-year personal services contract he signed in 2004. He most recently served as special assistant to the general manager, scouting players and holding pitching camps.
This isn’t the first time Ryan has left the Astros for the Rangers. In 1988, he signed as a free agent after nine seasons in Houston.
r Ryan retired, Texas hasn’t made the postseason since 1999. Pitching has long been a frustration; the Rangers had the fewest strikeouts in the AL last season and their team ERA ranked in the bottom five.
Texas tried to bolster its rotation last month by signing free agent Jason Jennings, who grew up in Dallas watching Ryan pitch. But bringing Ryan into the front office is likely to stir the most excitement among Rangers fans, many of whom still revere the Texas native.
Some of Ryan’s best moments occurred in a Rangers uniform, including his 300th victory.
Even the image of Ryan putting Robin Ventura – 20 years younger than the aging pitcher – into a headlock after Ventura charged the mound in Ryan’s final season remains a favorite memory for Rangers fans.
“I want the fans to feel comfortable with me here,” Ryan said. “They should see me because I’m going to have a presence here.”
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