Nolan Ryan to Return to Astros in Advisory Role

Nolan Ryan
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Since Nolan Ryan resigned as CEO of the Texas Rangers back in October, there have been rumors about him going to work for the Houston Astros. It appears that those rumors have become fact.  According to Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston, Ryan will be joining the Astros front office in an advisory role.

Ryan will be an adviser to the club's business and baseball advising owner Jim Crane, general manager Jeff Lunhow, and team president Reid Ryan. Reid is Ryan's oldest son and that is likely the reason that Ryan is coming out of his brief retirement. About working with his son Ryan told the Houston Chronicle,

"It would be special and totally different than I have dealt with before because it's on the major league level and an organization. And if I could assist him in some way, it would be fun and challenging."

The Astros and Ryan met in January but any decisions had been kept quiet until now. On Monday Crane told the MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that the team was hoping to hear back from Ryan "any day." Crane didn't have much longer to wait because the answer he was waiting for came today in the form of a "yes."

In January, Ryan talked about the potential differences between working with the Rangers and the Astros ,

"I see my role in baseball different now from when I was with the Rangers. That gives you kind of a different feel about it and about the way it would involve my time and commitment. It would be more on a consultant type basis."

During his 27-year career Ryan pitched for both ball clubs.

Nolan Ryan with the Astros in the 1980's
Getty Images

He was with the Astros for eight seasons and spent five with the Rangers. Before being back home in his native state of Texas, Ryan also pitched for the New York Mets and the then California Angels. An eight time All-Star , Ryan finished his 27-year career having pitched 5,386 innings, winning 394 games and posting a 3.19 ERA.

The Astros are currently trying to rebuild their team which finished 5th in the American League West last season with a 51-111 record. Hopefully, Ryan's advice will be helpful for the ball club.

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