Don't get me wrong: Ryan was in my top two favorite all-time pitchers for most of my life. I'd still put him fourth on my favorite pitcher list -- behind Maddux and Smith, because, well, Cubs. He was a no doubt, first ballot Hall of Famer. And, as I said above, little doubt that for one game in his prime (or past it), he's the guy I want on the mound. But he was never the best pitcher in the league for any one season. And this stat didn't help him:
Most bases on balls, career: 1.Nolan Ryan-2795.
Steve Carlton, is second, over 900 walks behind at 1833.
When Ryan was on -- no-hitter. Seven times! When he was off -- runner of first, pretty much always.
v3
(ps: Since Lou Brock was my favorite player, flat out, until Sandberg came along, I couldn't agree more with the Rickey Henderson being overshadowed thing. I was at the game where Henderson tied the all-time SB record. I sold that ticket stub on eBay. Didn't want it in the house anymore.)