Nolan Ryan is considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time and his impressive career has been well documented through baseball cards over the decades. Ryan played from 1966-1993 for a record 5 different teams – the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, and back to the Rangers again. His incredible pitching stats including 7 no-hitters and 5,714 career strikeouts make him a fan favorite and highly collectible player. Here is a complete list of all the Nolan Ryan baseball cards from the 1960s to 1990s along with some key details on each:
1966 Topps #498 – Ryan’s rookie card features him as a member of the New York Mets. This is one of the more sought after rookie cards for collectors. In excellent condition it can sell for over $1,000.
1967 Topps #507 – Ryan is shown in a Mets uniform for his second season. Not quite as valuable as the rookie but still a nice card to have in a collection.
1968 Topps #538 – The third Topps card shows continued improvement but he was still developing as a pitcher in his early Mets years.
1969 Topps #405 – Ryan led the league in strikeouts in 1969 with 283 and the card reflects his emerging dominance on the mound. A key card in the evolution of his career.
1970 Topps #386 – After being traded to the Angels, this was Ryan’s first card as a member of the California Angels. It marked the beginning of his most productive years.
1971 Topps #406 – Ryan struck out 329 batters in 1971 to lead the league again. This card is a favorite of many collectors marking his breakout season with the Angels.
1972 Topps #505 – Ryan’s strikeout totals kept climbing, whiffing 341 in 1972. The card depicts his growing status as one of the game’s most feared pitchers.
1973 Topps #587 – Ryan’s career-high 383 strikeouts in 1973 is recognized on this card. It was a dominant season and a major milestone in his Hall of Fame career.
1974 Topps #608 – Another solid season with 329 Ks lands Ryan this card showing his evolution into a true ace pitcher.
1975 Topps #626 – Ryan’s first no-hitter on May 15, 1973 against the Twins is highlighted on this memorable card from his playing days with the Angels.
1976 SSPC #34 – Produced by Sportscene, this is Ryan’s first card from a alternate manufacturer other than Topps. It features his standard Angels uniform photo.
1977 Topps #180 – By now, Ryan had firmly established himself as the game’s most prolific strikeout artist, whiffing 341 batters in 1977.
1978 Topps #193 – After 10 seasons with the Angels, Ryan was traded to the Houston Astros prior to the 1979 season. This was his last card as an Angel.
1979 Topps #234 – Ryan’s first card as a member of the Houston Astros shows him adjusting to his new club at age 37.
1980 Topps #270 – Ryan struck out 223 batters in 1980 to lead the league for the 5th time in his career. This card commemorates the achievement.
1981 Donruss #79 – Donruss entered the baseball card market in 1981. This was Ryan’s first card produced by the fledgling company.
1982 Topps #340 – Ryan’s second no-hitter on September 26, 1981 against the Dodgers for the Astros is a focal point of this memorable issue.
1983 Donruss #110 – By now in his late 30s, Ryan was defying father time by continuing to dominate hitters on a regular basis for Houston.
1984 Donruss #58 – Ryan’s record 5th career no-hitter on September 26, 1981 is recognized on this classic card from his Astros days.
1985 Donruss #97 – After 16 seasons and over 300 wins, Ryan was traded back to his original team, the Texas Rangers prior to the 1989 season. This was his last card as an Astro.
1986 Donruss #133 – Ryan’s first season back with the Rangers at age 41 is documented on this issue. He struck out 228 batters to lead the AL.
1987 Donruss #100 – Ryan’s sixth career no-hitter on May 1, 1991 against the Blue Jays for the Rangers gets highlighted on this standout card.
1988 Score #740 – Score entered the baseball card scene in 1989. This was Ryan’s first card produced by the new company during his later Rangers years.
1989 Upper Deck #1 – Upper Deck’s hugely popular inaugural set in 1989 is capped off by Ryan’s photo on the #1 card, a huge honor for the all-time strikeout leader.
1990 Score #704 – Ryan’s seventh and final no-hitter on June 11, 1991 against the Toronto Blue Jays for the Rangers at age 44 is a featured highlight.
1991 Upper Deck #1 – For the second straight year, Upper Deck led off their baseball set with Ryan, a testament to his enduring legend even in his final seasons.
1992 Leaf #48 – One of Ryan’s final baseball cards was produced by Leaf, showing him at age 46 still pitching effectively for the Rangers.
1993 Upper Deck #340 – Ryan’s final season and retirement from baseball in 1993 is commemorated on this classic Upper Deck send-off card.
As this complete list shows, Nolan Ryan was one of the most prominent players featured on baseball cards from the 1960s through 1990s. His Hall of Fame career saw incredible longevity and accomplishments that are still discussed today. Ryan’s cards hold special nostalgia for many collectors and remain some of the most widely collected issues in the hobby. They serve as a tangible way to remember and appreciate one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history.