I'm certain that Ryan would give Sandy his props, as well. In fact, I'd bet he has.
Compared to Nolan Ryan’s 7 no-hitters......not too close.
Nolan Ryan eventually pitched nearly twice as many no-hitters, won 324 games to Koufax's 165 and struck out 5,714 batters to Sandy's 2,396. But the rubber-armed Ryan lasted for 27 seasons and 5,386 innings. Koufax, a notably erratic spot starter in his early years with the Brooklyn and L.A. Dodgers, pitched in the big leagues for just 12 seasons and 2,324 1/3 innings.
“Compared to Nolan Ryan’s 7 no-hitters...... not too close.”
Nolan Ryan’s lifetime W-L record was 324-292. For some reason Ryan frequently pitched just well enough to lose.
Ryan belongs in the Hall of Fame, but in my opinion he did not merit his first-ballot 98.8% vote. Sports are primarily about winning, and while Ryan was often a spectacular pitcher, overall he was only marginally a winner.
After pitching a complete-game shutout in game 5 of the 1965 World Series against the Minnesota Twins, Sandy Koufax, pitching on two days rest, threw a 3-hit complete-game shutout in game 7. At his peak, Sandy was possibly the most valuable player in the history of baseball. The year after he retired, the Dodgers finished seventh; the year before it had been first.
“We need just two players to be a contender. Just Babe Ruth and Sandy Koufax.” Whitey Herzog
please, ryan played 27 years, sandy retired with four in 10 years..., imagine him throwing 27 years...he would have the greatest record ever, plue sandy ended up with more hardware and championships than ryan ever got.....