Ryan Gives Hope to an Older Crowd

Yes, Ross Newhan, I dare to challenge Nolan Ryan--and you. Here’s what your June 17 column deliberately omitted:

--Through last Saturday, Ryan has walked 2,571 batters, 738 more than anyone else.

--He has led the league in walks eight times, a major league record.

--He has 11 seasons of 100 or more walks, including nine in a row.

--He has two seasons of 200 or more walks.

--He has been on five teams that appeared in postseason play, yet was never the ace on any of those pitching staffs.

The fact is, Ryan has been Ryan, whether his team has been good or not. Ryan is, without a doubt, the most brilliantly erratic, inconsistent and overrated pitcher in history.

The doors of Cooperstown should never be opened to Ryan, not now, not ever.

Unanimous? He’s never won the Cy Young Award, which proves not all sportswriters are stupid.

RICHARD BLUE

Los Angeles