This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/11/2001.
These two nifty collectibles bridge the nonpareil Hall of Fame career of Nolan Ryan, who over 26 seasons racked up 324 wins, 5,714 strikeouts and 53 pitching records. He began in 1968 and the Topps "Rookie Stars" card pairs a 21-year-old Ryan with fellow New York Met pitcher Jerry Koosman. The brightly-colored card is in VG condition. The image is slightly left of center and there is wear at the upper left and lower left corners. Ryan's final season was 1993. Pitching for the Texas Rangers, on August 4 he plunked Robin Ventura of the Chicago White Sox with a pitch, leading Ventura to charge the mound where Ryan, 20 years his senior, grabbed him in a headlock and pummeled him, to the delight of oldsters everywhere. Ryan so enjoyed the moment that he signed this 15" x 19" color photo of the fight in black marker, writing "Best wishes, Nolan Ryan." The signature rates a near-perfect 10 and has added value since Ryan has since refused to sign any more copies of the photo, which is framed to 21 ½" x 25 ½" overall, with both photo and frame in excellent condition.