CAREER: No Ranger will ever wear number 34 again and it's quite possible that no pitcher will ever have a career like Nolan Ryan.
Ryan holds numerous major league pitching records, including most strikeouts (5,714), most no-hitters (7), most games with 15 or more strikeouts (26), and most strikeouts in a single season (383). With the Rangers from 1989-1993, Ryan threw his sixth and seventh no-hitters (June 11, 1990 and May 1, 1991) along with recording his 5,000th strikeout. Ryan was the only pitcher to strike out 16 or more batters after the age of 40, accomplishing the feat three times. He was the first American League pitcher to strike out nineteen men in a nine-inning game (August 12, 1974). His 27 major league seasons are the most played by anyone in baseball history. Over his career, the struck out an average of 9.55 batters per nine innings pitched, while allowing opposing batters a .204 batting average.
Ryan had his numbered retired by the Rangers on Sept. 15, 1996. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999. He is the only Major League player to have his number retired by three teams. The Houston Astros retired the number 34 on Sept. 29, 1996 and the California Angels retired the number 30 on June 16, 1992.
In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American man to play in the Major Leagues.
Number retired throughout baseball in 1997.
Played for Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947-56.
From his Baseball of Hame Plaque:
"Leading NL batter in 1949. Holds fielding mark for second baseman playing in 150 or more games with .992. Led NL in stolen bases in 1947 and 1949. Most Valuable Player in 1949. Lifetime batting average .311. Joint record holder for most double plays by second baseman, 137 in 1951. Led second baseman in double plays 1949-50-51-52."
