Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan’s second season with the California Angels was a record-setter. After coming over from the New York Mets following the 1971 season, the Ryan Express quickly began mowing down American League batters as he would lead the AL in strikeouts for seven of the eight seasons with the Angels.

The 1973 season saw Ryan not only lead the American League in strikeouts, but also setting the AL and Live Ball era record with 383. The previous Live Ball record was 382 set by fellow Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax in 1965. Going back to the early days of baseball, Charles Radbourn had 441 strikeouts in 1884 and the runner-up Charlie Buffinton had 417. Ryan set the record in his last start of the 1973 season when he struck out 16 Minnesota Twins’ batters in a 11-inning complete game win. Ryan struck out Rich Reese to close out the top of the 11th inning and to set the record. The Angels would push across the winning run in the bottom of the inning on a Richie Scheinblum double that scored Tommy McCraw with the winning run.

Offered here is a game used baseball from that historic game. This Official American League Joseph E. Cronin stamped baseball comes from the collection of the late broadcaster Dick Enberg. The ball displays outstanding game use with rubbed dirt marks, scuff marks and faded stampings. The ball has been inscribed in blue marker on the side panel “SEPT. 27, 1973 ANGELS VS. MINN RYAN 16 Ks=383 (M.L. RECORD)”. Ryan signed this ball to Dick Enberg in black pen and inscribed “To Dick It’s a pleasure having you broadcast our games and being associated with such a fine professional”. The inscription starts along the side panel, runs across the sweet spot and concludes on the opposite side panel with Ryan’s signature. A wonderful piece of baseball history and this ball comes with a letter of provenance from the Enberg family and a LOA from Beckett Authentication.

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