Holland Hopes Ryan Sticks Around

Depending on who you ask, you'll get different ideas on what Texas Rangers CEO (former president) Nolan Ryan has done to help build the organization into a winning team that has won two AL pennants and made the playoffs three straight seasons.

Some say it's all Nolan, and others say Ryan is more of a figurehead who has gotten more credit than he deserves because of his god-like stature in this area, being a native Texan hero and all. There's probably more truth to the latter, but that's not to say the Hall of Famer isn't an important part of the Rangers' recent success.

One undeniable impact Ryan has had on the Rangers is on the club's pitching staff from actual ability to just mental approach and endurance behind Ryan's old-fashioned thoughts on bringing up young pitchers.

Now, the all-time leader in no-hitters and strikeouts, among other things, is in a well-publicized standoff with the Rangers' ownership group, of which he is a minority part of, after being stripped of his title as team president and being left with just the CEO part, as general manager Jon Daniels will assume president of baseball operations duties, as well.

Ryan has yet to speak on the issue with the exception of a brief, generic statement released to the media on Sunday, saying he's still meeting with the front office and hoping to come to a resolution soon. And now one member of the Rangers' pitching staff has gone on record saying he hopes Ryan sticks around.

"Obviously, the only thing I can think of, is that if Nolan is gone, I think that's probably a big mistake," Holland told Fitzsimmons and Durrett on ESPN 103.3 FM Monday. "The guy has a very important role and he's been a great guy for me in helping me and talking to me. To me, I feel like it'd be a devastating blow for us to lose Nolan, but that's just my opinion. He's important to me."

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us