Why didn’t Nolan Ryan ever win the Cy Young Award?

Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr. was born on January 31, 1947. He is an American former professional baseball pitcher and sports executive nicknamed “the Ryan Express.” Ryan played for the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers during his 27-year playing career in Major League Baseball (MLB). Despite being one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history, Ryan surprisingly never won a Cy Young Award. Several factors may have contributed to this despite Ryan’s remarkable achievements on the mound.

Ryan played in a highly competitive era that featured other outstanding pitchers. During his career, pitchers like Tom Seaver, Steve Carlton, and others also delivered exceptional performances, making it challenging for Ryan to secure the award.

Although Ryan was renowned for his overpowering fastball and strikeout prowess, he struggled with control issues throughout his career. He led the league in walks multiple times, and his high walk totals may have influenced Cy Young voters.

The Cy Young Award has historically placed importance on a pitcher’s win-loss record. Ryan had a lifetime win–loss record of 324–292 (.526) and was an eight-time All-Star. He has 5,714 career strikeouts and an MLB record. Despite Ryan’s ability to rack up strikeouts and post impressive individual statistics, he did not always have the win totals that some of his contemporaries did. His team’s overall performance may have impacted his Cy Young candidacy in some seasons.

Despite his incredible talent, Nolan Ryan could be inconsistent in some seasons. This inconsistency may have influenced the voters’ decisions, whether due to injuries or other factors.

While Nolan Ryan never won a Cy Young Award, his contributions to the game and legacy extend far beyond individual awards. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999 and is celebrated for his longevity, durability, and, most notably, his record-setting strikeout totals and seven no-hitters.