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Nolan Ryan's epic beatdown of Robin Ventura was 24 years ago today
WFAA ^ | 08/04/2017 | Landon Haaf

Posted on 08/04/2017 12:48:28 PM PDT by DFG

Hall of Fame hurler Nolan Ryan left a lasting impression on the state of Texas and on Major League Baseball with an illustrious 27-year career.

His 5,714 strikeouts, 324 wins and seven no-hitters cemented his legacy as one of the greats.

But it was 24 years ago Friday that the Ryan Express immortalized himself -- and it didn’t have much to do with his pitching that day.

On August 4, 1993, the 46-year-old Ryan drilled Chicago White Sox third baseman Robin Ventura in the elbow with a fastball. Ventura then made a decision he undoubtedly regrets to this day.

He charged the mound, was put in a headlock and delivered a flurry of punches to the head.

(Excerpt) Read more at wfaa.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: anniversary; athletes; mlb; nolanryan; rangers; robinventura; ryan; sports; ventura; whitesox
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To: Vaquero

Speaking of scary - could it have been sh*ts and giggles to have Ryne Duren eyeballing you from the mound?


21 posted on 08/04/2017 1:34:42 PM PDT by Bedford Forrest (Roger, Contact, Judy, Out. Fox One. Splash one.<I>)
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To: xp38

Well, that does say it all about the Rangers that our “best” moments are about punching players from other teams, rather than from winning World Series.


22 posted on 08/04/2017 1:41:22 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: DFG

Ryan retired that season and the final series was against George Brett and the Royals. George also retired.


23 posted on 08/04/2017 1:47:06 PM PDT by Mozilla (Truth Is Stranger than Fictionr)
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To: treetopsandroofs

I saw this on the news later that night. I can’t believe it has been THAT long.


24 posted on 08/04/2017 1:47:47 PM PDT by rdl6989
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To: DFG

Nolan Ryan showed some nice MMA moves with that fight with Ventura before there was a MMA.

He played before my time but Sal “the Barber” Maglie was noted for throwing inside.

On a more sobering note, Jack Hamilton hit Tony Conigliaro, which probably ended Conigliaro’s career, 50 years ago this month. Hamilton wasn’t noted for throwing inside but he was rumored to be a spitball pitcher and the speculation is that Hamilton threw a spitball to Conigliaro which got away.


25 posted on 08/04/2017 1:47:55 PM PDT by Ticonderoga34
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To: treetopsandroofs

I’ve been to world series games which were not as electric as was that one. It was a real celebration.


26 posted on 08/04/2017 1:48:09 PM PDT by Mouton (The MSM is a clear and present danger to the republic.)
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To: dfwgator

If the Cubs can win it after 108 years anyone can. 8 current teams have never won. 2 of them have never even played in the big show. If it’s any consolation since the Jays last won it 24 years ago to me at least they’re most noted for changing their logo 4 times so far.


27 posted on 08/04/2017 1:49:57 PM PDT by xp38
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To: Dawgreg

One of my favorite Ticket bits is the “Fake” Nolan Ryan, especially when he starts talking about “Snow Monkeys.”


28 posted on 08/04/2017 1:53:40 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: dfwgator

So -- what do you think of having a late in the season "rifle ammo night" when the Yankees come to visit?

Would that fill the stands, or what? I buy a ticket, myself. [;^')

29 posted on 08/04/2017 2:00:50 PM PDT by BlueDragon
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To: riverdawg

Thanks for the link.


30 posted on 08/04/2017 2:01:01 PM PDT by Bullish (Whatever it takes to MAGA)
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To: Vaquero

Ventura, the only guy to get five hits in one inning off/from Nolan Ryan.


31 posted on 08/04/2017 2:01:44 PM PDT by waredbird
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To: BlueDragon

Well another “great” moment in Ranger history was being the team the Indians played during “Ten-Cent Beer Night” in Cleveland.


32 posted on 08/04/2017 2:02:17 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: Vaquero

Thou shalt not mess with Texas.

You can drink our beer, date our daughters after suitable vetting, but do not charge the mound when Nolan Ryan is on it. He will kick your ass and enjoy doing it!


33 posted on 08/04/2017 2:03:00 PM PDT by cpdiii (Deckhand, Roughneck, Mud-man, Geologist, Pilot, Pharmacist, CONSTITUTION WORTH DYING FOR!)
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To: DFG

Grew up as a kid with Nolan Ryan down the street.


34 posted on 08/04/2017 2:10:03 PM PDT by TheNext (Deep State are Lunatics)
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To: Vaquero

I saw this too on tv. It was awesome.

I remember shortly after that when Nolan was interviewed about the fight. He told the story that the last time he was charged after hitting a batter was when he hit Dave Winfield of the Yankees. He said he waited for Winfield to get to the mound and Winfield gave him a pretty good lashing.

Nolan stated that if he was EVER charged again he would NOT wait on the batter, but would come off the mound and start toward the batter. You notice he did that and it probably caught Ventura by surprise. Then Nolan started giving him “the business”.....LOL


35 posted on 08/04/2017 2:11:30 PM PDT by jmranchman (Im your huckleberry.....Thats just my game....)
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To: dfwgator
ok, how 'bout a Jose Bautista, bring-your-own-pellet-gun night? Or rent 'em out for several hundred dollars each? (Oder didn't hit him enough -- should have shook off the glove then gone to town on that bastard Bautista).
36 posted on 08/04/2017 2:17:03 PM PDT by BlueDragon
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To: cpdiii

Always heard it was two noogies and four shots to the head.


37 posted on 08/04/2017 2:19:19 PM PDT by elcid1970 ("The Second Amendment is more important than Islam. Buy ammo.")
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To: BlueDragon
And of course who could forget this?
38 posted on 08/04/2017 2:20:36 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: jmranchman

Winfield was HUGE. he probably thought better of it


39 posted on 08/04/2017 2:23:22 PM PDT by Vaquero (Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)
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To: allendale

Right. Gibson was one of the most ferocious pitchers in baseball history. Had a 1.12 ERA (1.12!!!) in 1968 and was under 3.0 for his entire career. And this was back before the massive talent dilution that is today’s MLB.


40 posted on 08/04/2017 2:29:39 PM PDT by KyCats
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