Major League Baseball

Astros bring on Nolan Ryan as executive adviser

Published Feb. 11, 2014 6:09 p.m. ET

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In a move that should come as a surprise to no one, Nolan Ryan has reunited with the Houston Astros.

Ryan, who had been in the Texas front office before leaving the organization following the 2013 season, will serve as the executive adviser. In that role the Hall of Famer will work with team owner Jim Crane, general manager Jeff Luhnow and Ryan's son Reid, who is the president of business operations.

Ryan, 67, said last month that he would be interested in working for Houston in the right situation. That came to fruition Tuesday.

"I'm very excited to be back with the Astros," Ryan said in a statement. "I'm happy to assist Jim, Jeff and Reid in any way I can. The Astros have a solid foundation with a strong farm system. I think the future is bright for Houston and I'm looking forward to my involvement."

Ryan spent nine seasons pitching for the Astros in the 1980s and spent four seasons as a special adviser for the Astros from 2004 until 2008.

He left Houston in 2008 when he was named the Rangers president. Before the 2013 season he was named CEO with Jon Daniels and Rick George taking over the day-to-day operations for the club.

The Texas native won 324 games while pitching for the New York Mets, California Angels, Astros and Rangers. He retired from baseball in 1993.

Ryan's pairing with Crane comes less than four years after the two were part of competing groups bidding to buy the Rangers in an auction in August 2010. Both were in the Fort Worth courthouse when Ryan's group won the bidding, with Crane notifying Ryan that his group was out of the bidding process in the hallway.

"We're extremely pleased to have Nolan as part of our organization," Crane said Tuesday. "We will use his experience, expertise and knowledge to improve the Astros in all areas. He will be an integral part of our management team. Nolan wants to be a part of our success moving forward."

Ryan is expected to join the organization in Florida for spring training at some point.

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