"Facing Nolan," the biographical documentary about Texas pitching legend Nolan Ryan, opens in theaters nationwide tomorrow.
The Alvin native's record-setting 27-year career spans four decades. As a pitcher, Ryan played for the New York Mets and California Angels before his nine-year stint with the Houston Astros in the 1980s, followed by five with the Texas Rangers.
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He was the Rangers' chief executive officer 2008-2013 and an executive advisor to the Houston Astros 2014-2019.
Ryan entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.
The film, from Houston native Bradley Jackson, is a look at Ryan through the eyes of batters who had to face him and teammates who played with him.
While some Houstonians may know him only from assorted TV commercials, Ryan's legend looms large for many sports fans. Although he may hold the records for most walks, most wild pitches, most grand-slams given up, and most stolen bases, many revere the right-hander who threw scorchers that regularly reached speeds of over 100 mph and is the all-time MLB leader in no-hitters with seven. Ryan's lifetime record stands at .526, he was an eight-time MLB All-Star, and he racked up an astonishing 5,714 career strikeouts.
The film starts Tuesday at Cinemark 12 in Cypress, AMC Willowbrook 24 on Tomball Parkway, and Regal Lone Star 19 on State Highway 249.