Nolan Ryan to be Rangers' president

ARLINGTON, Texas, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan has been hired as president of the Texas Rangers.

Ryan, 61, pitched the final five seasons of his 27-year major league career with the Rangers. He most recently was under a personal services contract with the Houston Astros, for whom he played nine years.

The Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram reported he met with Rangers owner Tom Hicks Jan. 25 about joining the Texas franchise.

After he retired as a player in 1993, Ryan worked for the Rangers as an adviser and made personal appearances before taking a similar position with the Astros. Two minor league teams Ryan has an interest in are affiliates of the Astros.

"I'm extremely excited about returning to the Rangers," Ryan said at a news conference. "I'm looking forward to the new challenges in helping move the club into a position where it competes for championships every year. I know there is a good plan in place and want to assist in its positive direction."

Ryan was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999 after a career in which he compiled a 324-292 record and 3.19 earned run average.

His 5,714 career strikeouts are the most in baseball history.

Ryan also pitched for the New York Mets and California Angels.