1965 was the year of the first ameteur draft, and Red Murff, the Mets' scout, gave a rather uneasy recommendation to the Mets that they take Ryan. He was the 295th player selected. During his stint in New York he married to his high school sweetheart Ruth (June 26, 1967) and his first son, Reid was born (Nov. 21 1971). Ryan was known as one of the league's fastest and hardest throwing pitchers, but not having a regular spot in the Mets rotation bothered him. He was on a staff that included Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, and Tug McGraw. Ryan was frequently passed over in the rotation, no thanks to frequent blisters on his finger. Although trainer Gus Mauch prescribed pickle brine and Ryan regularly used it (even falling asleep with his finger emersed in it), the stress of not being able to improve with time, along with to house payments (in Alvin and Queens), and the continuing worry of his new wife Ruth's safety was too much. Relief came with a December 10 trade to the California Angels along with OF Lee Stanton, P Don Rose, and C Francisco Estrada for 3B Jim Fregosi. Milestones Appearance - September 11, 1966 vs Atlanta Braves @ New York 2IP 1H 1R 1ER 1BB 3SO Pitched 6th and 7th innings Homerun given up - Joe Torre Strikeout - Rookie pitcher Pat Jarvis Catcher - Jerry Grote Start - September 18, 1966 vs Houston Astros @ Houston 1IP 4H 4R 4ER 2BB 3SO Loss Mound opponent - Bob Bruce Catcher - Jerry Grote Win - April 14, 1968 vs the Houston Astros @ Houston 6.2IP 3H 0R 0ER 2BB 8SO Mound opponent - Larry Dierker Catcher - Jerry Grote Struckout the side on 9 pitches - April 19, 1968 vs the Los Angeles Dodgers Complete game - May 7, 1968 vs St. Louis Cardinals @ St. Louis 9IP 3H 1R 1ER 3BB 8SO Win Mound opponent Nelson Briles Catcher - Jerry Grote Save - April 9, 1969 vs Montreal Expos @ New York 1.2IP 2H 1R 1ER 2BB 2SO Saved game for Tug McGraw Statistics YEAR TEAM GAMES W L S.O. H BB CG SHO E.R.A. 1966 Mets 2 0 1 6 5 3 0 0 15.00 1968 Mets 21 6 9 133 93 75 3 0 3.09 1969 Mets 25 6 3 92 60 53 2 0 3.53 1970 Mets 27 7 11 125 86 97 5 2 3.42 1971 Mets 30 10 14 137 125 116 3 0 3.97 TOTAL 5 years 105 29 38 493 369 344 13 2 5.80 Pictures click on the thumbnail to view full size [Career Statistics] [The New York Mets Years] [The California Angels Years] [The Houston Astros Years] [The Texas Rangers Years] [7 Career No-Hitters] [5,714 Career Strikeouts] [Records] [Achievements] [Cooperstown Class Of 1999] [Nolan Ryan Baseball Cards] [Quotes] [The Nolan Ryan Story] [Miscellaneous Features] [Books, Videos, & Collectibles]