Statue honoring Alvin's hometown hero, Nolan Ryan, topples

ALVIN, Texas- – Former major league superstar pitcher Nolan Ryan holds a special place in Alvin's history. 

The city of Alvin takes great pride in knowing that the Hall of Fame pitcher learned how to play baseball there.

That's why the city is heartbroken that the statue of the hometown hero has toppled over. 

Police said they received a call Saturday morning saying that the statue outside of city hall had fallen.

City staff rushed to the area, picked up the statue and took it to a city facility for safe keeping.

The statue is 25 years old and it appears it fell due to natural erosion at the base of the main support pipe, according to city staff members.

The city said it plans to put the Ryan statue back in its original place. Right now, they are working out a proper method to remount the statue.

The city of Alvin dedicated the statue in honor of Ryan in November 1992.