The definitive biography of Nolan Ryan, arguably the greatest pitcher in the history of baseball, from New York Times bestselling sportswriter Tim Brown.
Nolan Ryan was the hero to two of America's biggest institutions: Texas and baseball.
NOLAN is an exploration of God, family, baseball, and America– and a tribute to one of the greatest pitchers ever to step on the mound. He grew up in the small, hard town of Alvin, Texas, was graced with a fastball, and fell in love with a woman named Ruth, then honored all three in his pursuit of hardball perfection. Alongside Nolan's personal story, renowned sportswriter Tim Brown offers a thoughtful, deeply researched history of baseball in the Lone Star State, and an unforgettable account of three glorious decades in the Major Leagues.
Nolan Ryan's story is about dominating on the field, then growing old in the game, then just plain growing old. It's about the man who has become a symbol of the game at its best, the way it used to be. It's about deeds over words. About cattle matching the hat. About fastballs over all else.
NOLAN makes the case that there has never been another like him. And there won't be again. Tim Brown has covered baseball for more than 30 years and has written two New York Times bestsellers: The Phenomenon with Rick Ankiel and Imperfect with Jim Abbott. He also wrote The Tao of the Backup Catcher. In 2016, he was awarded first place in beat writing by the Associated Press Sports Editors. PRAISE FOR THE TAO OF THE BACKUP CATCHER
"If God is in the details, then what Tim Brown has done with the story of Eric Kratz is divine"-Mark Kriegel, author of Pistol
"Lend Tim Brown's inimitable voice to a sporting subculture overflowing with personality, mix in Erik Kratz's tale of perseverance and what blossoms is magic. This isn't just a story about baseball. It's about life and the beauty of knowing and accepting who you are."-Jeff Passan, ESPN "Tim Brown and Erik Kratz have my everlasting gratitude for this exquisite reminder of what baseball-and baseball writing-was like before velo, and rpms, and launch angles and barrels, and $43.3 million dollar annual salaries changed the conversation and the game became a discussion about everything other than people. This ode to the backup catcher with grit beneath his fingernails and grit within his soul is a must read."-Jane Leavy, author of national bestsellers The Last Boy and The Big Fella "A refreshing and inspiring baseball story that will resonate with the 99 percent who never make it big. It will likely enlighten and inspire baseball players and non-athletes alike into learning that greater joy can come from serving others instead of just being served."-Library Journal, starred review
