Nolan: The Singular Life of an American Original

Sports journalist Brown (The Phenomenon) delivers a cinematic biography of Nolan Ryan, the former professional baseball pitcher who played for a record 27 seasons, first for the New York Mets, then the California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. Brown chronicles Ryan’s upbringing in the 1950s and ’60s in the small town of Alvin, Tex., detailing his parents’ humble beginnings, his largely unimpressive academic career, and the circumstances that pushed him toward baseball (his older brother was a catcher, so he, naturally, pitched). The scout John Robert “Red” Murff spotted Ryan’s talent during a high school game, writing in his notes: “This skinny high school junior has the best arm I have ever seen in my life.” Following Murff’s recommendation, the Mets drafted Ryan at 18 in 1965. Brown recounts Ryan’s Major League Baseball career, chronicling in detail his seven no-hitters, a record that still stands, along with his distinction as the oldest pitcher to ever throw a no-hitter (he was 44). Later chapters follow Ryan’s transition from player to president of the Rangers and, eventually, to retirement on his ranch. The narrative moves slowly and deliberately, but Brown’s smart writing and reverent tone result in a rewarding and memorable tribute to a pitcher whose durability feels increasingly rare in the modern game. (May)