For those who grew up anytime from 1969 through the early 1990s, acquiring autographed Nolan Ryan memorabilia was a huge deal. The Express was one of the few pitchers capable of throwing a no-hitter any time, any place. And he did it…seven times. Fans ate it up and so did those who fancied themselves collectors.
Ryan, the first baseball pitcher to earn one million dollars a year, is respected by fans both for his athletic skills and his character.
Collecting autographed Ryan memorabilia is often a statement made by a baseball fan about the enduring values of the nation and the game.
The good news is that Ryan believes the more he signs, the less valuable his signature will be and the less money dealers who score freebies will make off him. That’s good news for fans and collectors, making many nice Nolan Ryan autographed items affordable.
Although most of Ryan’s career was spent in his native state of Texas, he began his career with the New York Mets, where his relief pitching helped win the 1969 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles. Ryan then moved to the California Angels from 1972 through 1979. He played for the Houston Astros from 1980 to 1988. He is revered in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for his final excellent career years with the Texas Rangers, from 1989 to 1993, where in 1989 he become the only pitcher to record 5,000 career strikeouts.
Ryan was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.
One popular signed Nolan Ryan photograph portrays the memorable fight with Robin Ventura on August 4, 1993, shortly before Ryan retired. The signed photo is available in various sizes and has become a fan favorite. Ryan stated after the game that he used a similar maneuver on Ventura that he used when branding cattle on his Texas ranch in Texas.
The other most popular Ryan photo is the one that shows him pitching with a bloody lip and jersey after taking a liner off the bat of Bo Jackson in the 1980s.
Many other photos and photo collages of Ryan and his career are available for astute collectors who wish to create a gallery of Nolan Ryan memorabilia.
In addition to photos, baseballs signed by Nolan Ryan are readily available. Jerseys, commemorative programs, autographed baseballs, bats, World Series photos, baseball cards and other excellent collectibles can be found with Ryan’s signature. Reputable sellers will provide a certificate of authenticity or some other proof that the signature on the collectible is really that of Nolan Ryan.
The great news is that if you respect and admire Nolan Ryan, you can still build a stunning collection of items that will highlight his career and emphasize the great enduring values of American baseball without spending a lot of money. Ryan has always been a willing signer and as such, there are plenty available. There are thousands of authentic Nolan Ryan autographs available. Click here to check out eBay and you’ll have no trouble finding a good one via authentication from reputable companies including PSA, JSA and Topps. Another great source is SportsMemorabilia.com, which offers everything from signed Nolan Ryan baseball to autographed photos, baseball cards and just about everything else.
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