And when I went to Houston, they had a conditioning coach by the name of Gene Coleman. And that was the first time I had gone to an organization that had a program with a weight room and designed specifically for pitchers. Nolan Ryan More Quotes by Nolan Ryan More Quotes From Nolan Ryan My job is to give my team a chance to win. Nolan Ryan team winning jobs One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something. Nolan Ryan baseball want beautiful You've got to realize that in any competition there is always a winner and loser. When it turns out that you're the loser on a given day, you can be a graceful loser, but it doesn't mean that you're a loser in the sense that you're willing to accept losses readily. Concede that on that day you weren't the best and that you were beaten in competition. But that should make you more dedicated and hard working. It's wrong to accept defeat as a loser. Be graceful about losing, but don't accept it. Nolan Ryan hard-work leadership sports Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent. Nolan Ryan change leadership success I am going to spend my time today just thanking the people that played a role in my career, because I truly do believe that I was blessed by a lot of people that paths crossed mine as I went down the road in my career. Nolan Ryan careers blessed believe Pitching in the big leagues is a dream. Preparing to pitch in the big leagues is a nightmare! Nolan Ryan pitching league dream I grew up with the thought that I wanted to treat people the way I'd like to be treated, and I think if you do that, it's pretty hard to go wrong. Nolan Ryan people way thinking Maintaining concentration depends on what I call tunnel vision; nothing else in the world exists but the catcher's target, the hitter and my perfect delivery. Nolan Ryan motivation softball sports Everyone has limits. You just have to learn what your own limits are and deal with them accordingly. Nolan Ryan deals limits A successful pitcher keeps the leadoff hitter from reaching first base and puts the first pitch over for a strike - the two most important rules of pitching. Nolan Ryan motivation softball sports It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy. Nolan Ryan crazy baseball sports Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt. Nolan Ryan ability-to-change adaptability enjoy When I had dyslexia, they didn't diagnose it as that. It was frustrating and embarrassing. I could tell you a lot of horror stories about what you feel like on the inside. Nolan Ryan embarrassing horror-stories dyslexia It took me a while to figure that out and to realize what a gift that I had been given. And when I finally did, I dedicated myself to be the best pitcher I possibly could be, for as long as I possibly could be. Nolan Ryan realizing sports long When I got traded to the California Angels, I really wasn't that excited about going to the Angels because it meant changing leagues and also a whole new set of teammates. But shortly after I got there I realized that it was one of the best things that ever happened to me. Nolan Ryan california angel league My ability to throw a baseball was a gift. It was a God-given gift. And I am truly appreciative of that gift. Nolan Ryan appreciative given baseball And I'm a believer that you take a negative and turn it into a positive, and as it turned out, it was one of the best things that ever happened to me. And so I do appreciate the Ranger staff and the Ranger organization for giving me that opportunity. Nolan Ryan appreciate organization opportunity Put the right pitching mechanics together with good health, and there's nothing surprising about lasting a long time. Nolan Ryan baseball together long I can honestly say it took two full years for me to get over the fact that I was no longer a baseball player. Nolan Ryan player baseball sports Baseball life is a tough life on the family. Nolan Ryan tough baseball sports