Nolan Ryan #3

Nolan Ryan took the mound on Saturday, Sept. 8, 1990 to face the Kansas City Royals. He shut the Royals down in short order with two strikeouts and a pop-up in the first inning, and leaned in to face Bo Jackson to lead off the second inning. The Royals’ clean-up hitter (also the Raiders’ starting running back) tore into the first pitch, sending a comebacker straight back towards the mound. The baseball smashed into Ryan’s chin, but the veteran pitcher recovered in time to throw out the speedy Royal at first. With his chin split open and bleeding heavily, and his team 16.5 games out of the playoff hunt with 23 left to play, Ryan made an impressive decision. He stepped back onto the mound and looked in for the next signal from catcher Mike Stanley. Ryan would throw seven innings that day, allowing one run on three hits while striking out eight batters. He got a no-decision, but his choice to stay in the game became the picture of “Texas tough” and a true highlight of his Hall of Fame career.