Why profile Ryan:
He has become the face of the Texas Rangers while sitting in the owner’s box by the team’s dugout, where President George W. Bush has been among his VIP guests. Just focusing on the past two heartbreaking years, when as a principal owner and executive of the club, he nearly led the franchise to a first-ever World Series championship, would be worth an in-depth look.
But, of course, there’s much more to Ryan's story, as one would expect of someone whose career in professional baseball began in 1965 and spanned four decades. That includes his time with the 1969 Miracle Mets and subsequent stops with the California Angels and his home state teams, the Astros and Rangers, where even into his 40s he was throwing 95 m.p.h. fastballs.
Ryan doesn’t buy into all today’s pitch-count mantra and likes hurlers who can go the distance, as he managed to do with some regularity. He no doubt has some thoughts on the subject, including his record seven no-hitters and his disappointment over never winning a Cy Young Award.
