June 14, 1974: California Angels pitcher Nolan Ryan throws one of 235 pitches
during his 13-inning effort against the Boston Red Sox— resulting in no
decision.
Los Angeles Times staff writer Jeff Prugh reported the next morning:
Nolan Ryan seemingly could have pitched forever.
The Angels’ hard-throwing right-hander struck out 19 Boston Red Sox batters in
13 innings Friday night — breaking his club one-game record by two — in a game
at Anaheim Stadium that seemed as if it would never end.
And when it finally did end in the 15th, shortly after midnight, Denny Doyle’s
double into the left-field corner off loser Luis Tiant – who pitched all the way
– drove in Mickey Rivers from first with one out to give California a 4-3 win
over the Eastern Division leaders…..
This photo was published the next morning along with Prugh’s story.
Thirty years later, this image was republished with this June 13, 2004 Times article. Staff writer Chris
Dufresne interviewed Ryan about his 13-inning, no decision performance:
When contacted for this story, Ryan asked that the box score from that game be
faxed to his office in Texas.
After reviewing it, Ryan said two memories stood out: striking out Cecil Cooper
six times and “not wanting to come out” after heaving his final pitch, which
yielded a ground out to second by Carl Yastrzemski.
By today’s standards, [Luis] Tiant and Ryan each pitched more than two “quality
starts” — six innings, three earned runs or fewer allowed — on the same night.
“Quality start?” Ryan chuckled over the phone. “In those days, if I had pitched
only six innings and gave up three runs I had a bad outing ….”
The Angels did not re-sign Ryan after the 1979 season. As a free-agent, Ryan
joined the Houston Astros.
Ryan is currently the owner, chief executive and president of the Texas Rangers
baseball team.
Photo credit on this image is also a no decision. When published on June 15,
1974, Times staff photographer Larry Anderson was credited. But a recent
check of the original print found Cliff Otto’s name on the back. Both
photographers worked for the Orange County edition at the time. Efforts to
clarify were fruitless. So I am leaving the image uncredited.