Ryan was picked up by the New York Mets in the 12th round of the 1965 draft.

Ryan is the Major League record holder with 5,714 strikeouts, 2,416 with the Angels. In his eight California seasons, he led the AL in strikeouts seven times, including a record 383 in 1973. In his Angels career, he only allowed 6.3 hits per nine innings. Ryan also pitched four no-hitters, and made the AL All-Star team five times while with the club.

He totaled a 138-121 record for the Angels with an ERA of 3.07, later playing for the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers. He is the only Major League player (besides Jackie Robinson) to have his number retired by three teams.

He was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 1999, his first year of eligibility, and is currently the Texas Rangers' principal owner, president and CEO.