Nolan Ryan Nearly Sees Season Turn Foul When Hit Goes Fare

Nolan Ryan’s season nearly came to an end because of an angry taxi driver, but he is not expected to miss any time with the Texas Rangers.

Ryan, pitching coach Tom House and House’s wife, Karren, hailed a cab outside their Seattle hotel Sunday morning for a short ride to a health club where Ryan was to have his usual off-day weightlifting session.

The cabdriver, unhappy at the prospect of a $2.50 fare, shoved open the passenger side door just as Ryan reached to open it, jamming Ryan’s thumb. The thumbnail discolored Monday afternoon.

“For a minute, I thought it was broken,” Ryan said. “I couldn’t move it. It was obvious that she (the cab driver) wasn’t happy.”

Ryan practiced Monday and said that while his right thumb is sore, it did not hinder his delivery.

“There’s no problem,” Ryan said. “I’ll be able to take my turn on Friday. Of course I’d be better off if it never happened, but it really doesn’t bother me.”