Fall 2019 - Item detail
1972 Nolan Ryan Signed California Angels Game-Used Home Jersey MEARS A10
- Sold For:
- $43,200
- Year:
- 1972
- Auction:
- 2019 Fall
- Lot #:
- 2206
- Category:
- Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia
California Angels home jersey worn by Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan in 1972. Grade A10 by MEARS. 1972 was Nolan Ryan’s first season with the Angels and the first year in which the club wore knit jerseys, making this one of the most historically significant Ryan jerseys in the hobby. The white knit jersey is lettered “Angels” across the front and features the number “30” on the left breast and reverse. “Ryan” is lettered on the reverse directly above the number. All letters and numerals are appliquéd in red-on-blue tackle twill. Located on the interior right-front tail are a “Rawlings 42” label and an adjacent flag tag reading “Set 1 #8P 1972.” An Angels team patch adorns the left sleeve. Ryan has inscribed the jersey, “Best Wishes/Always/Nolan Ryan/1972,” in black marker (grading “8”) on the right breast. The jersey is original as issued, with no alterations, and displays moderate wear. This jersey is featured prominently on pages 234-237 in the book "Game Worn: Baseball Treasures from the Game's Greatest Heroes and Moments" by Stephen Wong and Dave Grob (Smithsonian Books, 2016).
In December 1971, in what was one of the most lopsided trades in history, the California Angels acquired Nolan Ryan and three other players from the New York Mets for Jim Fregosi. For the next nine seasons Ryan dominated American League hitters while leading the league in strikeouts every year but one, including a modern-day record of 383 in 1973. In his first season with the Angels, Ryan won 18 games with a league-leading 329 strikeouts, 9 shutouts, and a 2.28 ERA. Ryan won 138 games for the Angels between the years 1972 and 1979 before being traded to the Houston Astros. In addition to throwing a record seven no-hitters, Ryan retired as the all-time leader in strikeouts (5,714) and is one of only 24 pitchers to win 300 games. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999, his first year of eligibility. Graded A10 by MEARS (base grade of 10, with no deductions). LOA from Dave Grob/MEARS (for the jersey only). Pre-certified by Steve Grad and Brian Sobrero/Beckett Authentication Services (for the signature only). Reserve $5,000. Estimate (open).
In December 1971, in what was one of the most lopsided trades in history, the California Angels acquired Nolan Ryan and three other players from the New York Mets for Jim Fregosi. For the next nine seasons Ryan dominated American League hitters while leading the league in strikeouts every year but one, including a modern-day record of 383 in 1973. In his first season with the Angels, Ryan won 18 games with a league-leading 329 strikeouts, 9 shutouts, and a 2.28 ERA. Ryan won 138 games for the Angels between the years 1972 and 1979 before being traded to the Houston Astros. In addition to throwing a record seven no-hitters, Ryan retired as the all-time leader in strikeouts (5,714) and is one of only 24 pitchers to win 300 games. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999, his first year of eligibility. Graded A10 by MEARS (base grade of 10, with no deductions). LOA from Dave Grob/MEARS (for the jersey only). Pre-certified by Steve Grad and Brian Sobrero/Beckett Authentication Services (for the signature only). Reserve $5,000. Estimate (open).