Like his idol, Nolan Ryan, new O's closer Mike Gonzalez is a strikeout pitcher.
Last year, with Atlanta, Gonzalez fanned 90 in 74 1/3 innings. In his career he averages 10.6 strikeouts for every nine innings pitched. The great Ryan averaged 9.5 per nine.
With some young starting pitchers on the staff, O's president Andy MacPhail said the O's needed a reliable closer to hold their leads and help their collective confidence.
As a free agent this winter, the 31-year Gonzalez researched the...
