FORT WORTH, Texas — Some of Nolan Ryan's best moments occurred in a Texas Rangers uniform: turning the struggling franchise around after he was brought in as a free agent in 1988, his 5,000th strikeout and his 300th victory.

But 17 years after retiring and two years after becoming the team president, the Hall of Fame pitcher's best moment yet may have been in a federal courthouse, where he won the team early today in a contentious and unusual auction spanning 10 hours.

When Ryan's group was announced as the winning bidder, the packed courtroom erupted in cheers and a standing ovation.

Ryan and his business partner, Pittsburgh sports attorney Chuck Greenberg, won the team with a $593 million bid, including $385 in cash, surviving the fierce bidding war with a group led by billionaire Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Houston businessman Jim Crane.

The confirmation hearing on the team's bankruptcy plan was scheduled for later today. Final approval of the Rangers sale rests with MLB.