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PatchWork by Joyce Whitis |
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PatchWork by Joyce Whitis |
Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan's picture appeared once more on the front page of newspapers across the nation last week and devoted baseball fans sat down to read. Well the old flame thrower is still kindling fires it seems. This time the fire started in Jackson, Mississippi with intent to buy. What daddy Ryan wants to buy is the Houston Astros' Class AA farm club, Jackson Generals. I say "daddy" because the future sure bet for baseball's Hall of Fame is like most when it comes to seeing that their offspring get ahead.
In this case the object of this effort to create a baseball related career is oldest son, Reid. The newspaper articles that I read stated that there would three partners in the venture to purchase the minor league team, Pappa Daddy, Reid, and some unidentified dark horse.
The news went on to say that if the purchase was approved by those in power to do so, Pappa Daddy wanted to move the team to the affluent and sprawling suburb of Austin known by the descriptive term, Round Rock. Apparently there's at least a couple mil under each and every one of the rocks in that place, at least it looks like it.
If the Generals come to RR, plans are for them to pitch baseballs around multimillion-dollar facility to be built later. Of course it is a multimillion-dollar facility. There is no other kind! As a matter of fact it is getting harder and harder these days to get by on less than a million-dollar bankroll.
Still, I am just as fond of old Nolan as I ever was back when he brought new hope to a Texas Ranger team occupied with constantly shooting itself in the foot in order to avoid getting in the playoffs. We used to gather up most of the family members, drive over and spend the evening at Texas Stadium. We've watched the Ryan Express take the mound from every angle in that old stadium and it was a thrill each and every time.
One of the absolute hottest days I have ever spent anywhere was on the sunny side of the diamond when I had the misfortune to select a black tee shirt with an American flag painted across the front. It looked really good on the big screen when the TV camera panned the audience, but man was it ever hot! It was July 4th and Nolan was on the mound with the crowd standing and chanting, NO---LAN, NO---LAN, NO---LAN. Oh I'll tell you it was a fun day all around.
In a state where sports often takes the front seat away from organized religion, Nolan Ryan is probably the best known and most admired sports figure in history. When he retired in '93, after 27 years pitching for the Mets, Angels, Astros, and Rangers, he left with a string of records, that will never be equaled.
Among my collection of baseball memorabilia, are several pictures of Ryan but the one that still hangs on my office wall is the one I treasure most. The poster size picture was done by Wrangler Jeans and I got it free when I bought a pair of Wrangler's for a grandson. Ryan is standing there, clad in black cowboy hat and Wrangler shirt and jeans, baseball in hand and a thoughtful look on his face. Below the figure are the words, "OK, so he's 43 and he pitches no-hitters. He still puts his jeans on one leg at a time."
I liked that so much that on a sudden bright idea, I rolled the poster up in a mailing tube and sent it over to the Arlington Ranger office with a note asking the famous pitcher to please sign it. Almost to my surprise, within four or five days the picture came back all autographed in the upper right corner!
That framed poster is there to remind me, in case I should forget.