Montanez/Ryan/Smith (Hand Cut-Panel)

Lynn Nolan Ryan (January 31, 1947-) tops a handful of major pitching categories like strikeouts (5,714), walks (2,795) and most notably no-hitters with seven, including two in 1973. Shockingly, The Ryan Express never pitched a perfect game, nor did he win the Cy Young Award. The ultimate power pitcher, Ryan’s deadly fastball were often clocked at over 100 mph. even into his 40s. Nolan pitched 27 years in the big league for the Mets (1966, 1968-1971), the Angels (197201979), the Astros (1980-1988) and the Rangers (1989-1993) where he threw no-hitters in back-to-back seasons in 1990 and 1991 at age 43 and 44, respectively. Arguably the most dominant hurler of his era in either league, Ryan led the league in strikeouts 11 times and strikeouts per 9 innings 12 times at an impressive 9.5 average. Ryan was an eight-time All-Star selection, was a member of the 1969 World Series champion New York Mets and is the only player, other than Jackie Robinson, to have his number retired by three different teams (Angels, Astros, Rangers). Nolan Ryan retired posting a record of 324-292 with 5,714 strikeouts and a career 3.19 earned run average. Lynn Nolan Ryan was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Osborne Earl “Ozzie” Smith (December 26, 1954-) was a magician at the shortstop position for the San Diego Padres (1978-1981) and the St. Louis Cardinals (1982-1996) wowing fans and inspiring a generation of future shortstops. The Wizard of Oz’ amazing agility and acrobatic plays helped him win a record 13 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, leading the National League seven times in fielding percentage and also garnered him 15 All-Star selections. Smith’s eight errors in 1991 remains a National League record of fewest in a season. Ozzie helped guide the Cardinals to three NL pennants during the 1980s, capturing the 1982 World Series in his first season with the Redbirds. Quite possible the greatest shortstop in the history of the game defensively, Ozzie hit one of the most memorable home runs in baseball history in Game 5 of the NLCS in the ninth-inning to beat the Dodgers. In 1992, Smith collected both his 2000^th hit and 500^th stolen base. Ozzie Smith finished his career with a .262 batting average, 2,450 hits, 1,257 runs, 793 RBI and 580 stolen bases. Osborne Earl “Ozzie” Smith was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002.