Books and articles about Gary Nolan

When Nolan reached the majors as a 19-year-old fireballer in 1967, he went 14-8 with a 2.58 ERA (fourth in the NL) and 206 strikeouts (also fourth) and led the league in strikeouts per nine innings (8.2). He finished a distant second to Tom Seaver (16-13, 2.76, 170 strikeouts) in the NL Rookie of the Year voting, and thereafter his achievements were reduced by frequent injuries.

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Arm problems reduced Nolan's playing time in 1968 and 1969, although he didn't go on the DL. He lost a bit off his fastball but was still one of the league's hardest throwers, and he began to improve his control. In 1970 he was 18-7 with a 3.26 ERA as the Reds won the NL pennant, and he pitched nine innings of shutout ball in Game One of the LCS against Pittsburgh, winning after the Reds scored three in the top of the tenth inning. He was hit hard by the Orioles in both his World Series starts and took the loss in the opener.

Nolan dropped off to 12-15 in 1971 despite a 3.16 ERA, but won 13 before the 1972 All-Star break to earn a spot on the NL squad. He was suffering neck and shoulder problems by that point, however, skipped the All-Star Game, and finished the year at 15-5, 1.99. He led the NL in winning percentage and was second to Steve Carlton in ERA. In the LCS, against Pittsburgh once again, he had to leave Game Three with a 2-1 lead after six innings when his arm tightened, and the Reds' bullpen lost the game. In the World Series against Oakland he lost Game One 3-2 and couldn't last five innings in Game Six despite a big lead (the Reds won 8-1).

More arm problems forced him to miss most of 1973 and all of the 1974 campaign, but he made yet another comeback in 1975. He had become the consummate control pitcher, leading the NL in fewest walks per nine innings (1.24) while going 15-9 with a 3.16 ERA. The postseason was another disappointment, as he was hit hard by the Red Sox in the WS.

Nolan's 1976 season was a virtual duplicate of 1975: he went 15-9 again, with a 3.46 ERA, and once again paced the NL in fewest walks per nine innings with an amazing 1.02, just 27 bases on balls in 239 innings. He also won his first WS game, beating the Yankees 7-2 in the finale of a four-game sweep. Arm miseries struck again in 1977, finally ending his career. He finished with a .611 lifetime winning percentage. (SH)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » April 15, 1967: In his first ML appearance, Reds rookie Gary Nolan strikes out the side in the 1st inning on his way to a 7–3 win over visiting Houston. » June 7, 1967: At Crosley Field, Reds P Gary Nolan strikes out 15 Giants, including Willie Mays four times. But her still loses, 4–3. Willie McCovey belts a 3-run homer in the 8th to tie the game, and reliever Bob Lee allows the last run to score to pin the loss on Nolan. » June 29, 1968: In San Francisco, Reds pitcher Gary Nolan hurls a 4-hit shutout and hits a 3-run homer as the Reds win, 4–0. "Only" Nolan's homer, off Ray Sadecki, is the only one of his big league career. » September 2, 1968: With Julian Javier hitting a homer in the 10th, the Cardinals defeat the Reds, 1–0. Bob Gibson picks up his 12th shutout and 20th win. Gary Nolan pitches the first nine innings for the Reds, with Abernathy taking the loss in relief. » September 24, 1968: Steve Blass records his 3rd shutout in a row, defeating the Reds, 2–0, and beating Gary Nolan. For Nolan, it is his first defeat after seven straight wins, while Blass wins his 9th straight for the Pirates. » April 7, 1969: Bill Singer of the Dodgers is credited with the first official save, as Los Angeles defeats Cincinnati 3–2, scoring once in the 2nd and twice in the 3rd off Gary Nolan. All the Cincy scoring came in the opening inning when Pete Rose and Bobby Tolan hit Don Drysdale's first two pitches for home runs. They'll hit leadoff homers again in August. » April 7, 1970: At LA, Gary Nolan of the Reds defeat the Dodgers, 4–0, on a 2-hitter. Both hits are by Willie Crawford, in the 4th and 9th. » September 2, 1970: That old black magic works for Gary Nolan as he outpitches Juan Marichal to beat the Giants, 2–0. Before the game Reds teammate Angel Bravo gives Nolan a rubber ball to carry during the game, assuring him that he'll pitch a low-hit game as a result. Nolan allows three hits. » October 3, 1970: Pete Rose's RBI single in the 10th inning breaks up a scoreless game as the Reds win the NLCS opener 3–0 over Pittsburgh. Gary Nolan gets the shutout victory for Cincinnati, as Dock Ellis takes the loss. » May 24, 1971: In Philadelphia, the Reds Gary Nolan loses a one hitter to the Phils, 2–1. The only hit is Denny Doyle's 2-run homer in the 2nd inning. » June 3, 1971: At Cincinnati, Cub southpaw Ken Holtzman tosses the 2nd no-hitter of his career, victimizing the Reds 1–0. Holtzman scores the only run, unearned, in the 3rd inning to beat Gary Nolan. » April 29, 1972: Leading the Phillies 4–0, San Diego ace Steve Arlin loses a no hitter in 9th with two outs when manager Don Zimmer pulls his third baseman in close. Denny Doyle then bounces a ball over the third baseman's head. Arlin finishes with a one-hitter, beating Steve Carlton. Doyle also had the only hit to defeat the Reds Gary Nolan in 1971 and the only hit in a Nolan Ryan one-hitter in 1970. » June 11, 1972: In Montreal, the Reds conclude their 12-game road trip with their 11th win, a 12–4 pasting behind the pitching of Gary Nolan. The Reds will go 53-25 this year on the road. » May 3, 1975: The Reds switch Pete Rose from left field to 3B, opening a lineup spot for utility OF George Foster. Over the next four seasons, Foster will average 36 home runs, 117 RBI, and a .302 BA, helping the Reds to two World Championships. Gary Nolan, making a comeback after shoulder problems sidelined him in 1973-74, stops the Braves, 6–1. It is Nolan's first win since October 1972. » May 28, 1975: The Reds stop the visiting Expos, 5–0, behind Gary Nolan's 2-hitter. » June 15, 1977: The Reds keep trading today, sending P Gary Nolan to the Angels for INF Craig Henderson. Cincy also swaps P Rawly Eastwick to the Cardinals for P Doug Capilla. Then, a fine trade for the Brewers, Milwaukee snag P Mike Caldwell from the Reds for P Dick O'Keeffe and infielder Garry Pyka. Caldwell has had trouble regaining his form following arm surgery, but in 1978 he will be the American League's comeback player of the year. In a final deal, the Reds acquire infielder Rick Auerbach from the Texas Rangers.