"Nolan Ryan and Bob Gibson, were the two best competitors I ever faced. The Making of a Pitcher tells you why." -- Pete Rose , Baseball's all time hit leader "This is the oral history of Nolan Ryan, the story of baseball's most legendary power pitcher as told by the teammates, friends and family members who have known him for decades. Rob Goldman is one of those friends, and he takes you beneath the Ryan Express label to share the secrets of Ryan's success on and off the field." -- Bill Shaikin , LA Times "Going back over four decades, just when you think you knew almost everything about the Nolan Ryan story, along comes this book, The Making of a Pitcher . I got a good education, and had a good time learning exactly what I didn't know. Rob Goldman gives us a Nolan look, and a Ruth Ryan look, that is a fun, interesting, and most of all, an entertaining read about two Texas icons. Yes, two. Nolan and Ruth." -- Randy Galloway , Fort Worth Star-Telegram "Nolan Ryan is a tribute to the American way, living proof that hard work creates opportunity. He wasn't a highly-touted prospect when he came out of high school, and he even thought about quitting when he was trade to the California Angels. Now look at him. He became a Hall of Famer, setting records for no-hitters and strikeouts. Rob Goldman delivered a hit in documenting Ryan's rise to the top." -- Tracy Ringolsby , MLB.Com
