This day in baseball: Nolan Ryan is king of walks

On June 5, 1981, Astros pitcher Nolan Ryan surpassed Early Wynn as the all-time walk leader with 1,777 when he walked two in his 3-0 victory over the Mets. Of course, Ryan also struck out ten and only gave up five hits in that game.

Ryan would end his 27-year career with 2,795 bases on balls, nearly a thousand more than Steve Carlton, who is currently second on the career list for issuing free passes.

Nolan Ryan Astros
Nolan Ryan (Houston Chronicle)


2 thoughts on “This day in baseball: Nolan Ryan is king of walks

  1. Ryan the walks king/ strike out king- as Rose is the hit king/ out king. I guess to lead in each category you have to be a pretty good ballplayer.

    1. I think there’s something to be said about going all out. You risk a lot, meaning you increase your chance of screwing up, but you also put yourself in a position to do something amazing.

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