Is Nolan Ryan among the top ten starting pitchers in MLB history?

Top 10, no. He only won 20 games in 1973 & 1974 and didn't really get close after that. He was good, struck out a ton of guys and had incredibly fitness and longevity. His career numbers are more a reflection of his longevity in the league (27 YEARS) than being the top pitcher in any given year. He never won a Cy Young award. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryanno...

Let me preface my response by stating that I'm a huge Nolan Ryan fan. I loved the way he handled himself on the diamond and I love the job he's done in the front office with Texas and, now, Houston.

He's a great ambassador for the game and his on-field performance was legendary.

I think he easily makes the Top 25 greatest pitchers of all-time and, perhaps, he even breaks into the Top 20. But Top 10? Sadly, his accomplishments aren't quite good enough to be included on that list.

No. He's a top 20 pitcher of all time. His walks record is more unbreakable than his strikeout record, his winning percentage is barely over .500, and he never even won a Cy Young.

He's deserving of the Hall of Fame, but some people overrate him a bit.

No.

my top ten in no particular order:

mathewson

W. johnson

alexander

seaver

maddux

R. Johnson

Carlton

Spahn

young

grove

11-15

ryan

perry

martinez

palmer

feller

I would think Top 25. I remember seeing him pitch in NY in 1970 for the Mets, he was overpowering and dominating in that gave vs. Philadelphia.

I agree. Not top 10 but top 20.

He was one of my favorite players on the '69 Mets, and saw a number of his games early in his career in Shea Stadium, but to answer your question, no he is not.

Top 10, not quite.

I don't think so, then again I was born in 1995 so what do I know.

I would rank him top 5 pitchers all time. Amazingly long career also and many no hitters and 1 hitters.