Facing Nolan

I started "Facing Nolan" thinking "this will probably be dumb or boring, but I gotta check it out. It's Nolan Ryan." I did not regret it. It was fun, interesting, and I actually learned several things I never knew.

If you're thinking about checking this movie out, just do it.

I've never written a review, but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to say what a fabulous documentary this is. Ryan is a legend and this captures it so perfectly. Hearing/seeing his story through the lens and voices of his wife, Ruth, his children and grandchildren, his former teammates....it was just amazing. An inspirational reminder of why I love this game so dang much!

Facing Nolan (2022) maintains its integrity and consistently delivers the life and career of Nolan Ryan in a way that keeps even the non-baseball fans intrigued.

This documentary says it take a slight curve of the typical biographical documentary, but its still pretty similar. But as its description implies, Nolan Ryan's life and career is told from the perspective of the "batters" he faced in his life whether they be family setting him up for a challenge, coaches and executives questioning his ability to pitch , or actual baseball players he had gallantly opposed while on the mound. Ryan could not have had his career without these challengers constantly pushing him to improve and compete against his competition.

This is a pretty solid documentary. I liked the narrative , the many interviews (like the many batters he pitched against), and the use and explanation of the numbers fans and enemies use to describe is Hall of Fame career. My only complaint is that it while it remained truthful, this movie could be a little too sentimental making it stray from main narrative. But it always came back eventually.

Give it a watch. Even if you don't like baseball, you will be astonished by Nolan Ryan's career and legacy.

About baseball.

It's somewhat corny but so incredibly true for any fan of the game.

I've had the honor of watching so many greats of the game- Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, Doc Goodin, Steve Stone,Justin Verlander, Roy Halladay, Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, Clayton Kershaw, Greg Maddux, Mark Buehrle, Nolan Ryan.

To watch a truly great pitcher is like watching a great artist paint a masterpiece- Nolan truly was one of the greats of the game. His skill and artistry were truly something to behold and that someone did such a momentous documentary while he was still living is brilliant. We have an horrible history of waiting until they're gone before we recognize the talent when it was walking amongst us for so long. I've met Nolan on a few occasions and he's every bit as humble and kind as he seems here and it's a true testament to the man.

Thank you for a beautiful piece on a great talent- it's a great piece on a great man. And as a tried and true Chicago White Sox fan, I can say I've never been more disappointed than I have in Robin Ventura not making a comment on one of the best pitchers to ever play and one of the very worst boxing matches ever in the history of the game.

Just want to clarify as mentioned in the documentary about Nolan Ryan being the only player in any sport to receive a million dollar contract.

Bobby Hull playing hockey on the WHA 1972 had a million dollar contract before NR.

Was a well presented documentary, absolutely mind-boggling how Nolan Ryan did not win a Cy Young award .

I watched Nolan Ryan pitch a few times and it was always an amazing display how hard he can throw that ball.

Nolan Ryan and Ferguson Jenkins are my two favorite pictures of all time.

108 mph fastball is just incredible considering he did not have much training in regards to weight training or coaching.

Congratulations on a great career and Hall of Fame enshrinement.