Ryan Salutes the Fans : Induction: Ranger pitcher says he will always remember the appreciation he felt in Anaheim as he enters Angels’ Hall of Fame.

The Angels’ induction of Nolan Ryan into their Hall of Fame Tuesday was like a stop on a farewell tour, complete with touching speeches and such lavish gifts as a pickup truck and a custom saddle.

The only thing is, Ryan has yet to announce a farewell to baseball.

Ryan, 45, wore a suit for the elaborate ceremony, which included the retirement of his No. 30, the jersey he wore with the Angels from 1972-79.

But tonight, Ryan will be on the mound at Anaheim Stadium for the Texas Rangers, wearing No. 34 as he seeks the 315th victory of his career and his first since last season.

Ryan has worn another uniform for 13 seasons, but on Tuesday the Angels and a crowd of 51,401 still claimed him as their own. Ryan was obliging.

“Tonight is one of those nights a player will always remember, not because of a special event on the field but because of the support and appreciation the fans have shown us,” Ryan said during a 35-minute ceremony during which he received several sustained ovations.

Ryan was accompanied by his wife, Ruth, and their three children, Wendy, Reid and Reese, who is named after Jimmie Reese, the Angels’ 90-year-old conditioning coach.

Ryan recalled the game in 1989 that marked his first return to Anaheim Stadium after leaving for Houston as a free agent. It wasn’t until he rejoined the American League as a Ranger that he pitched in Anaheim Stadium again. He also appeared in the 1989 All-Star game at Anaheim Stadium.

“I had a lot of apprehension about how y’all would accept me,” Ryan told the crowd. “I can honestly say, on a personal basis I don’t think I ever experienced a more special moment than the reception y’all gave me that night as I came in to pitch.

“There will be a lot of games I won’t remember in my memory as time goes by, but I will always remember the warm feeling you fans gave me as I played here.”

In a ceremony emceed by broadcaster Ernie Harwell--who in 1973 did the play-by-play of the no-hitter against Detroit that Ryan considers his most dominating--speakers from owner Gene Autry to Hall of Famer Rod Carew to American League President Bobby Brown took turns at the microphone.

“Millions and millions of baseball fans have cheered for you,” said Bobby Knoop, Angel first base coach. “They have appreciated your pitching efforts for almost 25 years. That’s amazing. That is really amazing. During that time you have established yourself as one of baseball’s greatest pitchers and one of the game’s superstars. . . . We had the privilege and pleasure of watching you pitch. . . . We also had the privilege of getting to know you and appreciate what a great human being you are.”

Owner Gene Autry, 84, was greeted with a warm ovation and spoke in a wavering tone of how he believes Ryan is capable of throwing a no-hitter any time he takes the mound.

“I’ll also remember what a quality individual, an outstanding gentleman Nolan Ryan was and is,” Autry said. “Nolan worked hard for everything he earned, and he is both a model player and citizen and sets an example for everyone.”

The Angels, who didn’t induct Rod Carew into their own small hall of fame last year until baseball’s Hall of Fame already had, were not going to let Cooperstown beat them to Ryan. He will become eligible for baseball’s Hall of Fame five years after he retires.

The Angels’ video tribute to Ryan focused on his four no-hitters as an Angel, with little reference to the culminating triumphs of his career, his fifth, sixth and seventh no-hitters, his 300th victory or his major league record 5,562 strikeouts.

Ryan, in fact, was the only person to allude to any of the lesser aspects of his career, thanking the fans for accepting him when as a young man known as a wild pitcher he was traded to the Angels in a deal that sent Jim Fregosi to the New York Mets.

“We came here traded for one of the more favorite players in Anaheim history,” he said. “Y’all accepted us and sat through a lot of games that were less than spectacular. Y’all accepted us and we appreciate that.”

Among the gifts given to Ryan was a customized saddle, with his name etched into the leather and his four no-hitters as an Angel inscribed on the horn. One of the few shortcomings of the ceremony was an elaborate description of the truck, apparently advertising for its donors.

The Angels also announced that they have established an annual $1,000 scholarship to be given in Ryan’s name for the next 30 years at his alma mater, Alvin High School in Alvin, Tex.

Ryan repeatedly told the crowd he “appreciated” them, and alluded to tonight’s start as potentially his final one before a group of fans who have never let go of their affection for him.

“It may very well be my last start here in Anaheim Stadium, I don’t know,” Ryan said. “If it is, I hope I’ll be able to perform at a level that will make y’all glad y’all came out to the game.”