Jerry Jeff Walker: Nolan Ryan

Well, our story starts in Texas, where he's tempered by the heat That skinny Alvin boy believes his fastball can't be heat So he brings it and he brings it and it passes every test They're talkin' he's a wild man might be the fastest in the West Well, he's drafted by New York, he's gonna pitch up there in Shea With those amazing Mets, he'll help them take it all the way He gets a World Series ring, he stays modest, he don't boast Now it's off to California, where he'll make history on the coast Chorus: Nolan Ryan, he's a hero to us all Nolan Ryan, he stands straight, he stands tall He don't mess around boys He just throws a mean fast ball Tom Morgan is the angel, gets Nolan in second gear Then he pitches four no-hitters in about as many years He's working for Gene Autry, they're calling him the Ryan Express He throws one ball a hundred, now he's the fastest in the West But after eight years on the left coast, He says he wants to come home So he signs on with the Astros, He?ll bring magic to the dome As he throws his fifth no-hitter, They?re talkin' about he might be the best In Texas people know, he's the fastest in the West Chorus Now he's a Texas Ranger, but he don't tote no gun He'll mow you down with the heater, you smell leather, hear it hum He throws a sixth no-hitter, the Oakland A's just met Big Tex Now they're gonna judge all the rest, Boys, against the fastest in the West Now let's count up some numbers, he's forty-three years of age He's got 5200 strike-outs, six no-hitters to date There's 57 shut-outs, right up against 300 wins And on the very first ballot, the Hall of Fame's gotta take him in Chorus x2