Nolan Ryan Sets MLB All-Time Record For Walks

On June 5, 1981, Nolan Ryan walked his 1,776th and 1,777th batters, passing Early Wynn to become the all-time record holder for walks (bases on balls). Little did most fans know that Ryan merely just past the midpoint of his career and would pitch another 12 seasons, finishing his career in 1993 with 2,795 walks, a mark that has never even been remotely approached by any other player and nearly 1,000 more than the next-closest pitcher, Steve Carlton (1,833). Ryan certainly could have benefited from more precise control. But his walks are largely attributable to the same qualities – incredible throwing power, speed and the intimidation factor – that allowed him to strike out 5,714 batters and throw a total of 37 games in which the opposition managed 2 hits or less. We’ve heard the debates countless times. Ryan isn’t the greatest pitcher of all time because he walked too many batters. But do you think any manager would pass on the chance to have Nolan Ryan anchor their rotation because he walks a lot of guys? No way. And if you look at the top 5 all-time walks leaders, it’s all Hall of Famers who would form the most fearsome pitching rotation in history if you got them all together: Ryan, Carlton, Phil Niekro, Wynn and Bob Feller. Great power pitchers often walk a lot of batters. It’s the nature of their existence, sort of how big home run hitters tend to strike out more than singles hitters. Now it’s true Ryan could hand out free passes like Santa Claus gives out candy canes on Christmas. But if that’s the tradeoff for being one of the most dominant pitchers of the 20th century? What do you say? Do Ryan’s walks diminish his other accomplishments at all?

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