2013 Collecting Goal Accomplished!!! My Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set Is Done!!!

2013 Collecting Goal Accomplished!!!  My Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set Is Done!!!

Friends, I have done it!!

I have finished one of my many 2013 collecting goals.  The 1999 Topps Nolan Ryan Commemorative set that I have been building for the better part of the year is finally complete.

The set features 27 cards in total – with the subject being one of each of Ryan’s base cards from his rookie card of 1968 to his final card from 1994.

It took me a bit longer to complete this set, but I think that I did so in a pretty economical manner.  Sure, there may have been a few gaps in time when I could not find a ‘deal’ worth making to add a card to my set, but I did not budge.  And eventually, I scored.

And now, the set is complete.  And it looks great.

Check it out:

Nice, huh??

I am loving it!!!

And once I completed this set and really looked at the cards as a complete set, I immediately thought of how nicely this set captures Nolan Ryan’s career, and how Topps should produce one of these sets every season for a recently retired star.  I could just imagine this same style featuring cards of Chipper Jones and Mariano Rivera – now that would be awesome!!!

Thanks for reading.

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Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set – Card #2 – 1969 Topps Design

Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set – Card #2 – 1969 Topps Design

One of my 2013 collecting goals was to complete the 1999 Topps Nolan Ryan Commemorative baseball card set. The set features a re-print of each of Ryan’s base cards issued by Topps from his rookie season to his final season.

This is the 2nd card in the set, a re-print of Ryan’s 1969 Topps baseball card:

At the age of just 22, Nolan Ryan competed in his 3rd major league season in 1969.  Ryan appeared in 25 games in ’69 and started 10 times.  He compiled a record of 6-3 with 2 complete games and 1 save.

In 89 innings of work, Ryan compiled an ERA of 3.53 while striking out 92 batters and walking 53.

Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set – Card #27 – 1994 Topps Design

Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set – Card #27 – 1994 Topps Design

One of my 2013 collecting goals was to complete the 1999 Topps Nolan Ryan Commemorative baseball card set. The set features a re-print of each of Ryan’s base cards issued by Topps from his rookie season to his final season.

This is the 27th and final card in the set, a re-print of Ryan’s 1994 Topps baseball card:

Officially, 1993 was Nolan Ryan’s final season in the big leagues.  But, he had a card in the 1994 Topps base set, and they included it in this tribute set as well.

I really like the ’27 Major League Seasons’ badge that Topps added to the card – A very nice and classy touch!!

Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set – Card #10 – 1977 Topps Design

Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set – Card #10 – 1977 Topps Design

One of my 2013 collecting goals was to complete the 1999 Topps Nolan Ryan Commemorative baseball card set. The set features a re-print of each of Ryan’s base cards issued by Topps from his rookie season to his final season.

This is the 10th card in the set, a re-print of Ryan’s 1977 Topps baseball card:

Nolan Ryan worked his tail off in 1977.  He threw 299 innings in 37 starts for the Angels.  He compiled a record of 19-16 on the year with 22 complete games and four shutouts.  He had an ERA of 2.77 and finished the season with a league-leading 341 strikeouts and a K:9 Innings ratio of 10.3:1.

 

Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set – Card #11 – 1978 Topps Design

Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set – Card #11 – 1978 Topps Design

One of my 2013 collecting goals was to complete the 1999 Topps Nolan Ryan Commemorative baseball card set. The set features a re-print of each of Ryan’s base cards issued by Topps from his rookie season to his final season.

This is the 11th card in the set, a re-print of Ryan’s 1978 Topps baseball card:

Nolan Ryan was enjoying his 12th season in the major leagues when the 1978 season started.  And he was just 31 years old…

The results??  Fair.

I guess you could call it a ‘down’ year for Ryan.  The numbers: 10-13 in 31 starts, 3.72 ERA, 14 complete games, 3 shutouts, 148 walks given up, 260 strikeouts in 234.2 innings of work, 13 wild pitches, and a 10.0 K per 9 innings ratio.

Far from horrible, but far from Ryan-esque as well…

Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set – Card #7 – 1974 Topps Design

Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set – Card #7 – 1974 Topps Design

One of my 2013 collecting goals was to complete the 1999 Topps Nolan Ryan Commemorative baseball card set. The set features a re-print of each of Ryan’s base cards issued by Topps from his rookie season to his final season.

This is the 7th card in the set, a re-print of Ryan’s 1974 Topps baseball card:

Nolan Ryan was an absolute workhorse for the Angels during the 1974 baseball season.

He led the American League in the following categories:

1. innings pitched – 332.2
2. walks – 202
3. strikeouts – 367
4. batters faced 1,392
5. hits allowed per nine innings – 6.0
6. strikeouts per nine innings – 9.9

I told you!!!  It’s too bad that they don’t make pitchers like him any more!!!

Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set – Card #13 – 1980 Topps Design

Nolan Ryan 1999 Topps Commemorative Set – Card #13 – 1980 Topps Design

One of my 2013 collecting goals was to complete the 1999 Topps Nolan Ryan Commemorative baseball card set. The set features a re-print of each of Ryan’s base cards issued by Topps from his rookie season to his final season.

This is the 13th card in the set, a re-print of Ryan’s 1980 Topps baseball card:

The 1980 baseball season found Nolan Ryan in a new baseball home – Houston, Texas.  It also found him as one of the wealthiest players in the sport after signing a six-year deal with the club in the offseason.

Ryan fared rather well in his debut season with the Astros – going 11-10 in 35 starts while throwing 4 complete games and 2 shutouts.  In 232 innings of work, he struck out 200 batters.