Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr. (born January 31, 1947), nicknamed The Ryan Express, is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher and a previous chief executive officer (CEO) of the Texas Rangers. He is currently an executive adviser to the owner of the Houston Astros.
Over a record 27-year career, Ryan pitched for the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.
Ryan was a right-handed pitcher who consistently threw pitches that were clocked above 100 miles per hour (161 km/h). He maintained this velocity throughout his career, even into his 40’s. Ryan was also known to throw a devastating 12–6 curveball at exceptional velocity for a breaking ball.
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Hall of Fame Career
Ryan had a lifetime record of 324–292 (.526) and was an eight-time MLB All-Star. His 5,714 career strikeouts is an MLB record by a significant margin. He leads the runner-up, Randy Johnson, by 839 strikeouts. Similarly, Ryan’s 2,795 bases on balls lead second-place Steve Carlton by 962—walking over 50% more hitters than any other pitcher in MLB history. Ryan’s lifetime batting average against of .204 is also a major league record. Ryan, Pedro Martínez, Randy Johnson(eBay), Trevor Hoffman, and Sandy Koufax are the only five pitchers inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame who had more strikeouts than innings pitched. Nolan Ryan(eBay) is one of only three players in history to have his number retired by at least three teams, along with Jackie Robinson (whose number was retired by Major League Baseball) and Frank Robinson.
Best PSA Nolan Ryan Cards to Collect
Nolan Ryan, one of the most iconic and dominant pitchers in baseball history, has a legendary status in the sports card hobby. Ryan’s cards are highly sought after by collectors, not only for his on-field achievements but also for the mystique and longevity of his career. Here are some of the best Nolan Ryan cards to collect, particularly in high-grade PSA condition:
1. 1968 Topps #177 – Nolan Ryan Rookie Card
- Significance: This is the most iconic Nolan Ryan card, featuring his rookie appearance alongside fellow rookie Jerry Koosman. The card is a key piece for any serious baseball card collector.
- PSA Trends: High-grade examples (PSA 9 or 10) are extremely valuable, with PSA 9s often selling for tens of thousands of dollars, and PSA 10s reaching even higher due to their rarity.
- Condition Challenges: Centering and print quality are common issues, making high-grade examples particularly scarce and desirable.
2. 1969 Topps #533 – Nolan Ryan
- Significance: Ryan’s first solo card, showing him as a member of the New York Mets, just a year after his rookie debut. A classic card that’s highly sought after.
- PSA Trends: PSA 9s and 10s are highly valuable, with 10s being exceptionally rare. This card is a must-have for Ryan collectors.
- Condition Challenges: Centering and the card’s relatively high number make finding a well-preserved copy difficult.
3. 1971 Topps #513 – Nolan Ryan
- Significance: The 1971 Topps set is known for its black borders, which are easily chipped, making high-grade cards very tough to find. Ryan’s card from this set is one of the most coveted from the early 1970s.
- PSA Trends: PSA 9s and 10s command strong prices, with 10s being extremely rare. Even PSA 8s offer value due to the set’s notorious condition sensitivity.
- Condition Challenges: Black borders are prone to chipping, and centering is often off, which significantly impacts the grade and value.
4. 1972 Topps #595 – Nolan Ryan
- Significance: This card marks Ryan’s last appearance with the Mets before his trade to the California Angels. The 1972 Topps set is known for its colorful design. Hence, making Ryan’s card visually striking.
- PSA Trends: High-grade examples are valued, particularly PSA 9s and 10s, which see strong demand from collectors.
- Condition Challenges: Centering and print quality are typical issues with this set, affecting the card’s grade.
5. 1973 Topps #220 – Nolan Ryan
- Significance: This card is famous for capturing Ryan in a classic action shot, reflective of his high-velocity pitching style. It’s a keystone card in the1973 Topps(eBay) set.
- PSA Trends: PSA 9s and 10s are highly sought after, with PSA 10s commanding significant premiums due to their rarity.
- Condition Challenges: Centering and print quality are common issues, but high-grade cards are extremely desirable.
6. 1974 Topps #20 – Nolan Ryan
- Significance: This card features Ryan with the California Angels, showcasing him in his prime. It’s a popular card from a beloved set.
- PSA Trends: High-grade examples are valuable, with PSA 9s and 10s being particularly sought after by collectors.
- Condition Challenges: Centering and print issues are common, but finding a well-preserved copy can be rewarding.
7. 1975 Topps #500 – Nolan Ryan
- Significance: The 1975 Topps set is known for its bright, colorful design, and Ryan’s card is one of the highlights. It features him in an Angels uniform.
- PSA Trends: High-grade cards, particularly PSA 9s and 10s, are valuable. The set’s colorful borders are prone to wear, making pristine examples difficult to find.
- Condition Challenges: The colorful borders are easily chipped, which affects the card’s grade and value.
8. 1977 Topps #650 – Nolan Ryan
- Significance: This card captures Ryan during his time with the California Angels and is part of a set that remains popular with collectors.
- PSA Trends: PSA 9 and 10 examples are highly collectible and often see steady appreciation in value.
- Condition Challenges: Like other cards from the 1970s, centering and print issues can affect the card’s condition and desirability.
9. 1980 Topps #580 – Nolan Ryan
- Significance: By 1980, Ryan was a well-established superstar. This card, from the last year of Topps’ 1970s design style, is popular among collectors.
- PSA Trends: While not as rare or valuable as some of his earlier cards, high-grade PSA 10 examples are still highly sought after.
- Condition Challenges: Centering and print quality are less of an issue with this card, making high-grade examples more common, but still valuable.
10. 1984 Topps #470 – Nolan Ryan
- Significance: This card captures Ryan later in his career with the Houston Astros, and it remains popular due to Ryan’s continued dominance and enduring popularity.
- PSA Trends: High-grade examples (PSA 9 or 10) are less rare than earlier cards but still desirable, especially for collectors completing a run of Ryan cards.
- Condition Challenges: The condition is generally good for cards from this era, but PSA 10s still carry a premium.
Conclusion
Nolan Ryan cards are a cornerstone of any serious baseball card collection. From his iconic rookie card to various key cards throughout his career, these cards offer strong investment potential and historical significance. High-grade examples (PSA 9 or 10) of these cards are particularly valuable, with demand consistently strong among collectors. Whether you’re collecting for nostalgia, investment, or pure enjoyment, Nolan Ryan’s cards are a timeless addition to any collection.
Nolan Ryan: A True MLB Icon
Ryan is the all-time leader in no-hitters with seven, three more than any other pitcher. He is tied with Bob Feller for the most one-hitters, with 12. Ryan also pitched 18 two-hitters. Despite this, he never pitched a perfect game, nor did he ever win a Cy Young Award. Ryan is one of only 29 players in baseball history to have appeared in Major League baseball games in four different decades.
Happy Collecting!
