1977 record breaker (nolan ryan)

well, they didn't change the photo like they did on jose morales' record breaker card, but o-pee-chee did modify the crop a bit on this - nolan ryan's 1977 o-pee-chee record breaker card:

here's the topps front:

compare the 's' in 'angels' on his jersey.

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

it's nice to see the 'bloomington, minnesota' byline.  you all know, of course, that the old twins metropolitan stadium was located where the mall of america sits today, right?  that home plate was located right next to the spongebob squarepants roller coaster?  anyway, ryan struck out some twinkies late in the 1976 season to take his season strikeout total over 300 for the fourth time in his career.  he actually did it again in 1977, and then once more in 1989.  ryan's record of six seasons with more than 300 k's was matched in 2002 by randy johnson.

voici à vous, 1977 record breaker (nolan ryan)!

1977 nolan ryan

o-pee-chee figured that nolan ryan was ready for his close up in 1977.  here is his 1977 o-pee-chee card:

they also un-stacked his autograph.  now here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

not sure why they made a big deal about grant jackson's behind the back grab in the cartoon.  that play seems to be fairly common these days.  in fact, i saw nick blackburn do it in a game earlier this season.

as for ryan, the express was rolling in 1977.  he won 19 games and struck out over 300 batters (341) for the fifth time in his career.  he also threw 22 complete games and had a nice 2.77 era.  ryan also finished third in the cy young award voting, and was named to the all-star team (he didn't pitch) in 1977.  he did not, however, throw a no-hitter in 1977 - he would have to wait until 1981 to get the fifth no-no of his career.

voici à vous, 1977 nolan ryan!

1989 nolan ryan

in december of 1988, when he was one month from turning 42, nolan ryan signed a free agent contract with the texas rangers. here is his 1989 o-pee-chee card:

it's not as awesome as his 1980 o-pee-chee variation, that's for sure.

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

when ryan joined the rangers, he became the first player to play for all four of the original expansion franchises (the mets, angels, astros/colt 45s, and the rangers/senators). he also was 27 wins shy of 300, and 225 strikeouts shy of 5000 for his career. the strikeouts came easily, as they always had. ryan led the league with 301 k's in 1989, recording his 5000th strikeout on august 22 when he victimized rickey henderson. as for the wins, ryan had 16 in 1989 which was his highest season total since 1982.

although he didn't throw a no-hitter in 1989, he made the all-star team (he pitched 2 scoreless innings and picked up the win) and finished 5th in the cy young voting.

voici à vous, 1989 nolan ryan!

1980 nolan ryan

after 8 years in california, the angels' owner gene autry, along with gm buzzie bavasi, allowed nolan ryan to leave as a free agent. he chose to go home to texas by signing with the houston astros. here is his 1980 o-pee-chee card:

here's the topps front:

now the o-pee-chee back:

and the topps back:

this is one of my favorite variations, by the way. ryan's future hof status, the fact that he started the 1979 all-star game for the american league, and the colors themselves combine to make an unforgettable card.

anyway, ryan went on to have a typical nolan ryan season for the astros in 1980. he had a good era (3.35), and at least 200 strikeouts, but his record was just one game over .500 (11-10). he also led the league in walks. clearly, there was some truth to bavasi's statement that he would replace ryan 'with two 8-7 pitchers'.

on the other hand, ryan threw a 2-hitter (one of 18 in his career) against the cubs and recorded his 3000th career strikeout on july 4th, getting the reds' cesar geronimo (who had also been bob gibson's 3000th victim). to top it off, ryan hit his first career home run off of another future hall of famer (don sutton) and helped the astros get to the postseason for the first time in franchise history.

voici à vous, 1980 nolan ryan!