Nolan Ryan is considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time and his baseball cards are highly coveted by collectors. Ryan played from 1966-1993 over a 27 year career primarily with the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. He holds numerous pitching records that still stand today including career strikeouts, no-hitters, and career wins.
Some of Ryan’s most valuable and sought after rookie cards come from his early days with the Mets. His 1968 Topps rookie card in near mint condition can fetch over $10,000. This was Ryan’s true rookie card as it was from his first season in the majors. Another iconic early Mets Ryan card is his 1969 Topps card which shows him in the classic Mets blue and orange colors. High grade examples of this card can sell for $3,000-$5,000 depending on condition.
After being traded to the California Angels in 1971, Ryan began establishing himself as one of the premier power pitchers in baseball. His 1972 Topps and 1972 Topps Traded cards from his first full season with the Angels are also highly valuable today. The 1972 Topps card in a PSA Gem Mint 10 grade recently sold at auction for over $12,000, showing the strong demand for pristine examples of these influential Ryan cards.
During his peak years with the Angels in the 1970s, Ryan was regularly featured on very collectible and iconic cards. Some of his most famous include the 1973 Topps, 1974 Topps, 1975 Topps, and 1979 Topps. These cards captured Ryan in the midst of some of his most dominant seasons where he led the league in strikeouts multiple times and came close to a no-hitter on several occasions. High grade copies of these common Angels Ryan cards can still fetch $100-$300 each due to the nostalgia they invoke of Ryan in his prime.
When Ryan was traded to the Houston Astros in 1980, it kicked off the final major chapter of his career. This trade was prominently featured on his 1980 Topps Traded card, which is one of the more valuable regular issues from the 1980s due to the historical significance of the deal. PSA 10 copies have sold for over $1,000. Ryan’s Astros tenure was also represented well on his 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987 Topps cards that showcased the durability and excellence of the aging righty.
After leaving Houston, Ryan signed with the Texas Rangers as a free agent prior to the 1989 season. It was with the Rangers that Ryan achieved some of his most impressive milestones late in his career, adding to the intrigue surrounding cards from this period. On August 22, 1989, the 43-year old Ryan recorded his record setting 5th career no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays. This historic feat was captured on his iconic 1989 Upper Deck card that has sold for over $2,000 in pristine condition.
Ryan’s pursuit of Nolan Ryan’s career strikeout record was also prominently featured on cards during his Rangers years. His 1991 Upper Deck card depicts him preparing to throw with the career strikeout record of 4,000 K’s clearly noted on the front. When Ryan finally broke the record on August 22, 1991, it was a seminal moment that was highlighted on various 1991-92 commemorative and oddball cards. High grade versions of these one-of-a-kind cards can exceed $500 due to their rarity and historical importance.
After retiring following the 1993 season at age 46, Ryan was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. To this day, he still holds major league records for career strikeouts (5,714), no-hitters (7), and leading the AL in strikeouts 12 times. Nolan Ryan’s incredible 27 year MLB career and pitching accomplishments are commemorated through some of the most valuable and desirable baseball cards ever produced. Whether it’s a vintage rookie card or a record-breaking milestone issue, Ryan’s iconic cardboard continues to captivate collectors decades after his playing days concluded.
