The Eyes of Texas Are Upon Him

By PAUL GRAY/

What does someone do after pitching a record-breaking sixth major-league no- hitter? Well, Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers bought a bank, the Danbury % State Bank near his hometown of Alvin, Texas. The small institution, like many others in the state, hit hard times during the oil bust and was briefly closed in 1986. But its eight employees are enthusiastic about their new owner, whose hero status figures to attract depositors. Says the cashier: "It should be good for the town, very good for the town," adding, "He's told us we'll all keep our jobs." Other Texans have their eyes on Ryan too. The state's Republicans would love for him to run for political office. Though he has balked at such offers in the past, he may step up to that plate when he finally loses his blazing fast ball and retires from the mound.

With reporting by David E. Thigpen