Presented is an April 13, 1978, Nolan Ryan California Angels incredible, unique one-game style game worn signed jersey. Ryan, a Hall of Fame righthander, pitched for 27 Major League seasons: New York Mets (1966 & 1968-71), California Angels (1972-79), Houston Astros (1980-88), Texas Rangers (1989-93). He has a 324-292 record with a 3.19 ERA. Ryan holds the MLB record for no-hitters with seven, and he also has the all-time Major League strikeout record, at 5,714. When Ryan wore this terrific one-of-a-kind jersey, he was facing the visiting Minnesota Twins in a day game at Anaheim Stadium. Ryan went the first ten innings of an 11-inning Angels' win. Nolan allowed only four hits and four walks while holding the Twins scoreless and fanning 12. The Angels won the game 1-0, with the win going to the Angels' reliever, Dave LaRoche. Ryan's pitching was exceptional that day but dwarfing his mound gem is the story behind how Ryan came to be wearing the offered jersey during the game. The best way to convey the tale is to let the consignor's words, in a May 15, 2024, signed letter to Lelands Auctions, give the amazing details: "In 1978 I went to the jersey manufacturer of the California Angels, W.A. Goodman & Sons, to see if they could make me a Nolan Ryan jersey. They created the jersey to all the California Angels specifications except for the patch on the left sleeve because of a copyright infringement. Instead, they switched on a similar sleeve patch as a substitute that also displayed the state of California... On April 13, 1978, I went to Angel Stadium holding the jersey on a hanger... I informed the clubhouse guard of what I was trying to do, shockingly enough, he let me in... With my video camera running, I saw Nolan at his locker and asked if he would be able to wear my jersey during the game... My accompanying photographs and video show our clubhouse interaction and him wearing the jersey during the game. [After the game], he signed it and it has been in my possession ever since...." The offered knit jersey comes with video documentation and a MEARS Letter of Opinion. The white, home pullover jersey has double tackle twill, red lettering, with navy blue trim, reading "Angels" sewn onto the chest. Ryan signed the jersey, under the team's name, in neat script by using a black marker. Beneath the team's name is "30" in red sewn-on numerals with navy blue trim. The lower left, outside tail has a W.M. Goodman manufacturer's tag showing size "42." Across the back is "RYAN" in sewn-on red letters with navy blue trim. Beneath the player's name is "30" in sewn-on red numerals with navy blue trim. On the left sleeve is the original California sewn-on patch created for this jersey. The included MEARS Letter of Opinion of 09/13/2024 (Cert. Number 321249) gives the offered game worn jersey (April 13th, one game only) a FINAL GRADE: A10. The offering includes four 8x10" black & white photos of Ryan wearing the jersey during the April 13, 1978, game. The jersey exhibits light game use, with some small stains. The jersey, in light of the fantastic story behind it, makes a unique, fascinating Nolan Ryan collectible.
Note: Here is an incredible video taken by the consignor from before, during and after the game! In the beginning of the video it sounds like Nolan says "If you can get back after the game, you're welcome to take your jersey"!
Click Here to Watch YouTube Video