Ranger Fans Express Feelings for Ryan

Nolan Ryan doesn’t get many standing ovations as a banker, rancher and state parks and wildlife commissioner.

So baseball’s strikeout king was especially moved when the retirement of his No. 34 by the Texas Rangers brought a sellout crowd at The Ballpark in Arlington, Texas, to its feet four times.

“Those are very special moments; it’s hard to describe,” Ryan said. “After you’ve been removed from it for a while as I’ve been, it means even more. It makes you think about how much you miss it.”

The Rangers are the second team to retire Ryan’s number, but only the first this month.

The Astros will put No. 34 to rest Sept. 29, which will make Ryan the first player so honored by three teams. The first team to do it was the Angels, who in 1993 hung up the No. 30 Ryan wore between 1972-79.

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The Cincinnati Reds activated pitcher Mark Portugal from the disabled list. The Reds also said they will purchase the contracts of right-handed pitchers Tim Pugh and Jerry Spradlin from their triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis, effective Tuesday.