Nolan Ryan is considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time and his baseball cards are highly sought after by collectors. Whether you’re looking to build a complete Nolan Ryan card collection or find that one elusive card to showcase, eBay can be a great place to search. Here’s an in-depth look at some of the top Nolan Ryan cards available on eBay and things to know when buying or selling them.
Ryan made his MLB debut in 1966 with the New York Mets at just 19 years old. One of his earliest and most affordable cards is his 1966 Topps rookie card. In gem mint condition, it can sell for around $100-$200 on eBay. The design features a solid dark blue border and his name printed at an angle. It marks the start of what became one of the most impressive pitching careers in baseball history.
After being traded to the California Angels in 1971, Ryan had some of his best statistical seasons. His 1973 Topps card shows him in an Angels uniform and is a key card for any Angels collection. High-grade copies in a PSA 10 gem mint slab have sold for over $1,000 on eBay. The photo captures Ryan mid-windup, showcasing his intimidating delivery that led to a then-record 383 strikeouts that season.
Ryan’s pitching dominance reached new heights after being acquired by the Houston Astros in 1980. His strikeout totals skyrocketed and on August 22, 1974 against the Angels, he recorded his then-record fifth career no-hitter. His 1974 Topps card highlighting this achievement is one of his most iconic. Graded PSA 10 specimens have sold for well over $10,000 on the site. The card’s photo of Ryan windmilling after the final out makes it instantly recognizable.
After the 1974 season, Topps lost the MLB license and had to use action photos on their 1975 and 1976 cards instead of team-issued portraits. Ryan’s 1975 SSPC card shows him mid-delivery and is fairly common in lower grades. But high-end PSA 10 versions in the original box have sold for over $4,000. His 1976 SSPC card is similarly designed but rarer in top condition due to print runs being much lower that year.
On September 26, 1981, Ryan threw his record-setting sixth no-hitter, this time for the Astros against the Los Angeles Dodgers. His iconic 1981 Donruss card highlights this achievement with a classic action photo. PSA 10 “gem mint” examples in the original packaging have reached upwards of $15,000 on eBay. It’s considered one of the key cards for any Ryan or Astros collection.
After the 1981 season, Ryan signed a blockbuster free agent deal with the Texas Rangers. He went on to have some of his best years statistically while pitching into his 40s. His 1984 Donruss “Pitching Machine” card shows Ryan at age 38 but still overpowering hitters in a Rangers uniform. High-grade copies in a PSA 10 slab have sold for over $5,000 on eBay. The card captures Ryan’s incredible longevity at an age when most pitchers had long since retired.
On May 1, 1991 at age 44, Ryan threw his record seventh no-hitter for the Rangers against the Toronto Blue Jays. The feat cemented his place as perhaps the greatest no-hit pitcher of all time. His iconic 1991 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card parallel highlights this achievement. Only 250 of these parallels were produced, making high-grade examples extremely rare. PSA 9 copies have sold for over $20,000 when available on eBay.
After retiring in 1993 at age 46, Ryan was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999 with the fourth highest voting percentage in history. As one of the first true “modern era” pitchers inducted, interest in his vintage cards skyrocketed. In the early 2000s, a run of seven-figure Ryan card sales on eBay helped cement the market value of his classic rookie and milestone cards among the highest in the hobby.
Whether you’re a die-hard Rangers, Astros, Angels or Mets fan – or just appreciate Ryan’s all-time pitching records – building a complete Nolan Ryan collection can be both rewarding and costly. eBay remains the best place to find virtually any Ryan card across all years and teams for sale. But be prepared to pay premium prices, especially for his highest graded rookie and milestone issues. Doing thorough research on prices, grades, and reputable eBay sellers is key before spending thousands on any single Ryan card.
In summary, Nolan Ryan’s career accomplishments and longevity have made him one of the most collectible players in baseball card history. eBay provides an accessible marketplace to search for his entire run from 1966 Rookie all the way to retirement issues over 25 years later. With patience and savvy shopping, you can track down affordable copies of even his rarest cards to commemorate one of the true legends of America’s pastime.
