One of the greatest pitchers in MLB history, Nolan Ryan was capable of making history any time he set foot on the mound. The Texas Rangers legend did so on this day, although not in the way he would have hoped as he pitched what would be the final game of his career.
It had to end at some point. Nolan Ryan, the legendary pitcher for the Texas Rangers, was beginning to get up there in age. At 46 years old, and in his 27th MLB season, he had already battled injuries to take the mound again during the 1993 campaign. Yet, his fastball still sat in the mid 90s, and his arm was still relatively healthy.
The end came on this day in 1993. Ryan was still capable of making history whenever he took the mound, and he did so against the Seattle Mariners; however, it was not in the way he would have wanted.
On the heels of his seven shutout innings against the Angels, Ryan appeared as though he had a bit left in the tank. Instead, it turned out that he emptied his reserves in that outing, as the Seattle Mariners took care of business against the legend. He faced six batters, walking four, and allowing two hits. He actually left in the midst of his fourth walk, as his elbow let go in the middle of Dave Magadan‘s plate appearance.
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All five of the batters that Ryan faced scored, with the big blow coming from the immortal Dann Howitt. Howitt, who played in 115 Major League games, and hit five home runs in that time, hit the last home run of his career against Ryan. It was a grand slam, the tenth that Ryan had given up in his illustrious career, setting a new lifetime record.
It was certainly not the end that anyone expected. Instead of riding off into the sunset in a blaze of glory, calling back the days of yesteryear when he was one of the more dominant pitchers in the game, Ryan left the box battered, his right elbow ruined. It was an ignoble end to an incredible career.
We all had an idea as to how Nolan Ryan would end his career. And, if he had called it quits after his outing against the Angels five days before, that image would have been fairly close to accurate. Instead, he stayed on for one game too long, setting an unenviable record in the process.
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Nolan Ryan pitched in his last game on this day in 1993. Chances are, the Texas Rangers legend wished he had that outing back.