August 4, 1980 San Diego Padres Dave Winfield’s bout with Houston Astro Nolan Ryan As Winfield remembered it, Ryan already had brushed him back twice in the game with inside pitches. When it happened a third time, Winfield headed for the mound. “The catcher, Luis Pujols, tried to stop me, so I stiff-armed him and…
On July 4, 1980, at Riverfront Stadium, Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros collects his 3,000th strikeout during an 8-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. “The Express” fans Cesar Geronimo, becoming the fourth major league pitcher to reach the milestone. Ironically, Geronimo was also Bob Gibson’s 3,000th career strikeout victim six years earlier. Despite the milestone,…
1980 – Nolan Ryan ‘s first win as an Astro comes in an 8-0 victory over Cincinnati. It’s the initial dividend from baseball’s first million-dollar-per-year contract. Ryan fans seven and walks six in seven innings. Jose Cruz is the star with three hits and five RBIs, including a bases-loaded triple in the first inning.
After eight years with the California Angels, Nolan Ryan makes his debut with the Houston Astros. Ryan, who did not come to bat the previous seven seasons, hits a 3-run homer in the 4th inning. The Astros lose to the Dodgers in 17 innings, 6 – 5.
1979 – The Houston Astros sign free agent pitcher Nolan Ryan. The former California Angels ace and future Hall of Fame member signs a four-year deal worth $4.5 million, making him the highest-paid player in major league history. Ryan also becomes the first player to earn a $1 million annual salary.
1979 – Nolan Ryan and Joe Morgan are the top names available in the free agent reentry draft held at the New York Plaza Hotel.
California’s Nolan Ryan and Boston’s Steve Renko (with one-out help from Bill Campbell) each lose no-hitters in the 9th inning, and each settle for one-hit victories: 6 – 1 over New York, and 2 – 0 over Oakland, respectively. Rickey Henderson has the one-out hit off Renko.
1978 – Boston’s Luis Tiant wins his 200th major league game, beating Nolan Ryan and the Angels, 4 – 2. Jim Rice’s 2-run home run is the difference.
1977 – Nolan Ryan notches his fourth career 19-strikeout game, pitching the first 10 innings of a game against Toronto.
1976 – Marty Pattin and Steve Mingori combine on a one-hit shutout as the Royals beat the Angels, 3 – 0.
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