Nolan Ryan game used
 

After over 3 years on net54, I finally decided to get around to posting some of my favorite Nolan Ryan game used pieces. For those of you that don't know this, I have been collecting Nolan Ryan since 1972.

Provenance is everything when I consider adding an item to my collection. Each of the pieces that I am showing you here has terrific and unique provenance. I hope you enjoy seeing these. :)

1973 Ryan Angels home jersey- NOB has been removed when it was sent down to the Angels minor leagues- unrestored- TONS of use

1976 Ryan Angels game used hat- TONS of use

1981 Ryan Astros game used hat- funky orange variation. Ryan wrote the date 8/29/81 on his hat as he removed it from his head and donated it to an Astros charity fundraiser event. TONS of game use. This is the same style hat that he wore when he threw his 5th career no-hitter on 9/26/81, passing Sandy Koufax's 4 no-hitters

1982-1983 Ryan Astros batting glove- vintage signed in 1982 or 1983- moderate use.

1987-1988 Ryan Louisville Slugger game used bat. This bat came directly Nolan's son Reese. It was purchased by one of the most advanced Ryan collectors Mike Frost. I purchased it from Mike in 1999. Moderate- heavy use. Nolan signed this bat for me at the pre- grand opening of The Nolan Ryan Center in April of his HOF induction year 1999. I was invited to attend this gala event because I donated/loaned 87 items to the Ryan Center.

Wow! Amazing collection. Do you have any ideas as to why it appears that no Nolan Ryan Angels jerseys subsequent to 1973 have surfaced at auction? I have seen 1972 and 1973 (one example each) and that is it. What do you think of the Grey Flannel auction from 12/09 that had a 1973 Angels home Ryan jersey? The tagging on that jersey appears on the front, and the A in Angelse may be different from your jersey. Thanks for sharing. Great looking pieces.

Incredible stuff Scott!!!

Great observation! Other Nolan Ryan jerseys have surfaced from other Angels years in the hobby, but they are rarely seen. I actually have seen both a home and road 1972 Ryan jersey. Additionally I have personally examined a 1976 road grey shirt. A few really good ones are held in private hands, but do not turn over. One of my closest friends actually owns three. One from 1974-1975, one from circa 1976 and one from 1979.

You are correct about the tagging on other alleged Angels Ryan 1973 jerseys in the hobby including the one you referenced having the tagging facing outward. There are actually several (at least 3-4) of these bogus 1973 Ryan shirts floating around in the hobby that I know of since I began tracking them in auctions through the years. One or two of them seem to continually resurface every 5-6 years.

One important problem with this. The tagging on the Angels McAuliffe home jerseys in 1973 never faced outwards, FWIW. This is a proven fact according to the largest collector of Angels game used equipment. He owns the uniforms of other Angels players from 1973. None exhibit the tagging facing outward. I have examined these jerseys IP up close. ;)

Thanks Steve!

That is scary stuff. That jersey sold for $31,000! What did you think of the 1972 jersey sold by Legendary (Dreier collection)? I spoke with Doug about this jersey and the provenance sounded pretty solid.

Very cool that you know other jerseys are at least out there. They are going to be worth more and more every year, if you ask me. People like me heading into or into their 40s are gaining purchasing power, and he is the biggest name (in my opinion) from the era.

Would love to get an Astros rainbow jersey one day, but am partial to the Angels jerseys, living in SoCal.

Regarding the Angels 1972 home white jersey that was in Legendary: I have not seen the jersey up close, but I was aware that a 1972 home jersey was out there. A very reliable source has told me that a '72 home white was, ahem, "liberated" from the Angels during this time period. I'm not sure if the one sold in Legendary is this exact one, but it possibly is.

Just a word to the wise, be very careful when considering the purchase of a Ryan Astros era jersey. Lots of fakes out there in the hobby. Many are from the 1986 year, but you really need to do your homework.

Sweet collection. Here's my Angels hat!

Hi Rob,

Thanks! Just curious, does your Ryan Angels hat have a break/crease in the bill? If so, where is it in relationship to the mid-line of the bill?

Hello Scott,

Interestingly, yes, it does have two breaks/creases. If you are looking at, face on, there is a break located just right of midline. In addition, a second break is located on the far right end of the bill. Is this similar to yours?

Rob,
I have noticed that in Nolan's earlier hats, they definitely featured a crease consistently to the right of the midline. How far off of the midline is the crease?

Are you concerned about the absence of sweat staining on the hat? His hats typically exhibit quite a lot of sweat stains, FWIW...

Hey Scott,

Interesting. The crack is 3/4" off midline. The liner in the hat is the leather (or faux leather) which is clearly affected by the sweat from the forehead. Some staining is also evident inside the cap itself.