Jerry Jeff and the Heat Thrower.

Gypsy Songman by Jerry Jeff Walker (Album; Mill; MILL 5038): Reviews, Ratings, Credits, Song list - Rate Your Music

“Nolan Ryan (He’s a Hero to Us All)” was written and performed by one of the most beloved Americana music pioneers, Jerry Jeff Walker. It is a fitting tribute to one the toughest players to ever step on the diamond.

If you don’t know about Jerry Jeff, click here to read my story from Oct. 2020 entitled “RIP Jerry Jeff Walker – a founding father of the TBR Ramble sound.” Walker wrote and published the upbeat country tune “Nolan Ryan” in 1990.

In the picture below, Jerry Jeff played the song for Nolan in the Rangers dugout before a game in August 1990. Check out third baseman Steve Buechele listening in the background.

Here are the lyrics:

Well, our story starts in Texas, where he’s tempered by the heat
That skinny Alvin boy believes his fastball can’t be heat
So he brings it and he brings it and it passes every test
They’re talkin’ he’s a wild man might be the fastest in the West

Well, he’s drafted by New York, he’s gonna pitch up there in Shea
With those amazing Mets, he’ll help them take it all the way
He gets a World Series ring, he stays modest, he don’t boast
Now it’s off to California, where he’ll make history on the coast

Chorus:
Nolan Ryan, he’s a hero to us all
Nolan Ryan, he stands straight, he stands tall
He don’t mess around boys
He just throws a mean fast ball

Tom Morgan is the angel, gets Nolan in second gear
Then he pitches four no-hitters in about as many years
He’s working for Gene Autry, they’re calling him the Ryan Express
He throws one ball a hundred, now he’s the fastest in the West

But after eight years on the left coast
He says he wants to come home
So he signs on with the Astros
He’ll bring magic to the dome
As he throws his fifth no-hitter
They’re talkin’ about he might be the best

Chorus

Now he’s a Texas Ranger, but he don’t tote no gun
He’ll mow you down with the heater, you smell leather, hear it hum
He throws a sixth no-hitter, the Oakland A’s just met Big Tex

Now they’re gonna judge all the rest
Boys, against the fastest in the West

Now let’s count up some numbers, he’s forty-three years of age
He’s got 5200 strike-outs, six no-hitters to date
There’s 57 shut-outs, right up against 300 wins
And on the very first ballot, the Hall of Fame’s gotta take him in