There is nothing to suggest Nolan Ryan is less than a decent guy, but the picture is so glowing (and underwritten by his family) that “Facing Nolan” sometimes plays like an elaborate and loving Father’s Day card.
But what’s not to like about the small-town Texas kid who stayed close to his roots, until he was called up by the New York Mets as a teenager, where he could fire an astonishing fastball clocked by some at 108 mph, but could be frightfully wild.
It wasn’t until the Mets’ 1969 post-season where he began to shine, helping secure a league championship that led to the Mets series win. Still, Ryan, now 75, recounts how he had to get a job between seasons after winning the World Series because $7,000 a year wasn’t cutting it.
It was some economic justice years later when he became baseball’s first $1 million man — also the only person in any sport to warrant that kind of paycheck — when he went to the Houston Astros in 1980 as a free agent. He’d end his career in with eight seasons at the Astros and four years at the Rangers,
This after seven seasons with the Angels, where he was excited to meet owner Gene Autry and brought that sub-par team to becoming a contender.
As Ryan’s career continued into his 40s, he became a kind of role model for middle-aged fans, able to compete with players half his age. That was especially true, the film contends, when Robin Ventura famously charged the mound and was subsequently pounded by the old man.
Ventura was one of the few players who declined to give an interview, though a generation of two of baseball greats were glad to, including Roger Clemens, George Brett, Dave Winfield, Rod Carew, Pete Rose and Randy Johnson (who ended his career with the second most strikeouts behind Ryan, who had 800 more).
Being in the game so long means a number of less admirable records as well — most walks, most stolen bases allowed, most wild pitches. He was the first to give up 10 grand slam home runs. But why dwell on the negative?
There is a warmth and pride in “Facing Nolan” that reflects the best of baseball and the American ambition of working hard and achieving beyond expectations, thanks in part to all the love and support he has.
Better than a televised highlights film, the film benefits from the sheer time Jackson was allowed to spend with his subject and be a part of professional and family gatherings.
Anyone with an old Nolan Ryan card in their collection will certainly want to check it out.