The Rangers are getting creative with their promotions this season.
Looking back on an iconic moment in club history, the team is giving away a replica of the blood-stained Nolan Ryan throwback jersey to fans in attendance for their May 29 game against the Royals.
The jersey harks back to September 8, 1990, when the Hall of Fame flamethrower threw with blood dripping from his lip.
In the second inning that day, Ryan misplayed a sharp ground ball off the bat of the Royals’ Bo Jackson.
The grounder ricocheted off Ryan’s glove and into his face before getting the first out.
But Ryan wasn’t going to let a little blood take him out of the game.
Ryan remained on the mound and pitched seven scoreless innings, with the red blood stains on his chest adding to his legend and giving the franchise a unique promotional opportunity decades later.
MLB’s all-time leader in strikeouts will also be honored with a bobblehead giveaway of his iconic on-field battle with Robin Ventura on July 20, 1993 against the White Sox.
A native of Refugio, Texas, Ryan was a 1965 draft pick and member of the 1969 Miracle Mets. He played the last five years of his 27-season big league career with the Rangers.
In 1989, Ryan made the eighth and final All-Star team of his career at the age of 42, when he posted a 3.20 ERA over 32 starts with Texas.
He had his number 34 retired by the Rangers in 1996 and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame three years later.
After his playing days, Ryan served as president and CEO of the Rangers for six seasons (2008-2013).
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