If you mention Nolan Ryan and the Chicago White Sox many people conjure an image of Arlington Texas August 4 , 1993. As depicted in the video below White Sox 3rd baseman
and future manager Robin Ventura took exception to being beaned by Ryan to start the inning rushed the mound and preceded to get pounded by Ryan.
I originally started this post a few months ago. Until that day, I never saw footage of this incident. I lived in Russian from December 1992 to November 1994 and even though I heard about the altercation had not seen the footage until now. The melee was near the end of a storied career by Nolan Ryan.
The Hall of Famer threw a record 7 no hitters from May 15, 1973 to May 1, 1991. He also took 5 other potential no hitters into the 9th inning. The first of these disappointments came against the White Sox on 8/7/1974 when Ryan was with the Angels.
Watching the last inning of tthat game was very nostalgic for me. The 1972-1974 Dick Allen era White Sox represent the beginning of my almost 50 year obsession with the White Sox. Listening to Harry Caray call the action years before he headed over to the north side and watching the likes of Allen, Jorge Orta, Ken Henderson and Bill Melton harkened me back to those early days.
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This game features 3 future hall of famers in prominent roles. Frank Robinson homered in the 2nd to give the Angels a 1 run lead. Jim Kaat pitched a 9 inning gem scattering 6 hits and only allowing 1 run on the Robinson smash. Through 8 innings Ryan was the star of the show until the 9th inning when should be hall of famer Dick Allen broke the no hitter by running flat out on a check swing. Click here to read a great account of the game along with a historical perspective of the time in which it was played. Perhaps
