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Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan

The Making of a Pitcher
By Rob Goldman, Foreword by Reid Ryan

SPORTS & RECREATION

320 Pages, 6 x 9

Formats: Cloth, Mobipocket, EPUB, PDF

Cloth, $26.95 (US $26.95) (CA $29.95)

ISBN 9781600789229

Rights: WOR

Triumph Books (Apr 2014)

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Overview

To any baseball fan, Nolan Ryan’s name still conjures up images of blistering 100-mile-per-hour fastballs and knee-buckling curveballs. During his 27-year career, “The Ryan Express” was named an eight-time All-Star and amassed seven no-hitters and more than 5,700 strikeouts—more than any other pitcher in major-league history. This comprehensive biography of Nolan Ryan follows the baseball legend’s journey from the start of his professional career in 1965 to his retirement in 1993. Hall of Famers, journeymen, clubhouse workers, coaches, and trainers offer their own unique take on Ryan in this book filled with never-before-told anecdotes and personal recollections and peppered with eyewitness accounts of his greatest games. In the pages of this history, readers will discover what made Nolan Ryan one of the most revered and respected athletes and citizens of his time.

Reviews

"Nolan Ryan and Bob Gibson, were the two best competitors I ever faced. The Making of a Pitcher tells you why." —Pete Rose, Baseball's all time hit leader

"This is the oral history of Nolan Ryan, the story of baseball's most legendary power pitcher as told by the teammates, friends and family members who have known him for decades. Rob Goldman is one of those friends, and he takes you beneath the Ryan Express label to share the secrets of Ryan's success on and off the field." —Bill Shaikin, LA Times

"Going back over four decades, just when you think you knew almost everything about the Nolan Ryan story, along comes this book, The Making of a Pitcher. I got a good education, and had a good time learning exactly what I didn't know. Rob Goldman gives us a Nolan look, and a Ruth Ryan look, that is a fun, interesting, and most of all, an entertaining read about two Texas icons. Yes, two. Nolan and Ruth." —Randy Galloway, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Nolan Ryan is a tribute to the American way, living proof that hard work creates opportunity. He wasn't a highly-touted prospect when he came out of high school, and he even thought about quitting when he was trade to the California Angels. Now look at him. He became a Hall of Famer, setting records for no-hitters and strikeouts. Rob Goldman delivered a hit in documenting Ryan's rise to the top." —Tracy Ringolsby, MLB.Com

Author Biography

Rob Goldman was a batboy for the California Angels during the 1970s, when he first met Nolan Ryan. He is the author of Once They Were Angels, a history of the Angels, and collaborated with former Angels outfielder Tim Salmon on his memoir Always an Angel. He lives in Thousand Oaks, California.  Reid Ryan, the eldest son of Nolan Ryan, was a minor league pitcher and co-founder of Ryan-Sanders Baseball. He is currently the president of the Houston Astros. He lives in Texas.

Media

Nolan Ryan: The Making of a Pitcher was reviewed as This Week's Must Read in The New York Post on March 30, 2014.
Nolan Ryan: The Making of a Pitcher was positively reviewed on The Post Game
Rob Goldman discussed Nolan Ryan: The Making of a Pitcher  on The Ryan Express on KERA
Rob Goldman discussed Nolan Ryan: The Making of a Pitcher in his interview with the Los Angeles Daily News

Book Signings

Past Events


Mar
09
Rob Goldman - Nolan Ryan ›
Tempe, AZ
12:30pm
Mar
07
Rob Goldman - Nolan Ryan ›
Surprise, AZ
12:30pm
Mar
06
Rob Goldman - Nolan Ryan ›
Tempe, AZ
12:30pm
Aug
04
Rob Goldman with former Angel Bobby Grich - Nolan Ryan ›
Yorba Linda, CA
7:00pm
Mar
30
Rob Goldman - Nolan Ryan ›
Thousand Oaks, CA
7:00pm
Mar
13
Rob Goldman - Nolan Ryan ›
Tempe, AZ
12:00pm
Jul
04
Rob Goldman - Nolan Ryan ›
Anaheim, CA
4:30pm
Jun
07
Rob Goldman - Nolan Ryan ›
Orange, CA
1:00pm
May
24
Rob Goldman - Nolan Ryan ›
Costa Mesa, CA
1:00pm
Apr
05
Rob Goldman - Nolan Ryan ›
Orange, CA
1:00pm
Orange, CA
Mar
08
Rob Goldman - Nolan Ryan ›
Tempe, AZ
6:00pm
Mar
08
Rob Goldman - Nolan Ryan ›
Tempe, AZ
12:00pm

Press Releases

Nolan Ryan: The Making of a Pitcher

By Rob Goldman / Foreword by Reid Ryan

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Bill Ames, Triumph Books, 312.676.4256, b.ames@triumphbooks.com

 

To any baseball fan, Nolan Ryan’s name still conjures up images of blistering 100-mile-per-hour fastballs and knee-buckling curveballs. During his 27-year career, “The Ryan Express” was named an eight-time All-Star and amassed seven no-hitters and more than 5,700 strikeouts—more than any other pitcher in major-league history.

 

Just in time for the start of a new baseball season, author Rob Goldman has written Nolan Ryan: The Making of a Pitcher (Triumph Books, April 2014). This comprehensive biography of one of baseball's greatest ever pitchers, and the first book on Nolan Ryan since the mid-1990s, follows the baseball legend’s journey from the start of his professional career in 1965 to his retirement in 1993 to his post-playing career as president of the Texas Rangers. Hall of Famers, journeymen, clubhouse workers, coaches and trainers offer their own unique take on Ryan in this book filled with never-before-told anecdotes and personal recollections and peppered with eyewitness accounts of his greatest games. In the pages of this history, readers will discover what made Nolan Ryan one of the most revered and respected athletes and citizens of his time, which include:

 

  • Ryan was not a freak of nature as some writer’s claim but a world-class athlete whose career path included revolutionary conditioning programs and diligent work ethic.  The Making of a Pitcher explores key moments in his career where adjustments in his preparation was most critical as will as the individuals most responsible for helping him slow down the aging process.
  • Ryan was not an overnight success.  He toiled for six years in the Mets organization before his breakout with the Angels in 1972.
  • Ryan’s characteristics are reminiscent of pioneer Texans who founded a Republic then a State. As it turns out Ryan came by his “Texas Mystique” honestly.  The Making of a Pitcher includes previously unpublished accounts placing a direct descendent of Ryan behind the walls of the Alamo and another who was an early Texas Ranger. 
  • Ryan would use anything, including mind games and intimidation to get into the batters head. On the field he was relentless, stubborn and ultra-competitive.  Off the field he was gracious, generous and empathetic.  This duo personality as will as his humor is explored in depth.
  • The Making of a Pitcher is in part an oral history told by the individuals closest to him. Included are family members, teammates, adversaries, trainers and clubhouse personnel.  The book is unique in the sense that most Ryan biographies tell what he accomplished, Making of a Pitcher explains how he did it.

 

Author Rob Goldman – who has known Ryan most of his life – traces the life and career of one of baseball’s all-time greatest pitchers, executives and ambassadors.  Written for baseball fans of all ages, Nolan Ryan: The Making of a Pitcher is a must-read read book for 2014. 

 

About the Author:

Rob Goldman first met Nolan and Ruth Ryan in 1970.  Four years later, Goldman became a batboy for the California Angels and a lifelong friendship began.  His book, Once They Were Angels: A History of the Team, was hailed as the “best team history in years” by the New York Daily News.  He also collaborated with Tim Salmon on Always an Angel: Playing the Game with Fire and Faith.  He lives in Thousand Oaks, California.  Visit www.makingofapitcher.com for more information on Goldman and his books.

 

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