Winter 2014 Auction Closing Feb 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2014
At the age of 39, veteran Nolan Ryan provided the veteran pitching leadership the Houston Astros needed to win the Western Division Title. Ryan went 12-8 with a 3.34 ERA throughout the summer and proved he still had more than 8 more seasons worth of gas left in his Hall of Fame arm. In Game 5 of the NLCS the ageless superstar entered into one of the greatest pitching battles of the decade, dueling Mets ace Dwight Gooden by throwing 9 innings of 2 hit, 12 strikeout, 1 run ball. The game was ultimately lost by the Astros in the 12th inning but Ryan's pitching heroics that day went down as one of the most memorable games in play-off history.
Ryan's Astros home pullover jersey is of the classic 1980's "rainbow jersey" style. Worn from throughout the 1980's this one is unique in that it is from the Astro's 1986 season in which the team won the NL's Western Division before losing to the New York Mets in that stunningly awesome six game NLCS. The knit jersey has the 1986 All-Star Game patch on the left sleeve acknowledging the game being held in the Astrodome that summer. Size "44" Goodman and Sons label is located in the lower left front tail. The jersey's size matches Ryan's measurement and existing jerseys from that time period. The orange, red and golden yellow stripes that run across the front of the jersey and sleeves are bright and bold. "Astros" is across the front chest in navy tackle twill and the Texas lone star is located on the lower left front in what and navy tackle twill. On the back "RYAN" is arched in 3" tall navy tackle twill letters sewn to a white name plate. His immortal "34" is sewn onto the bold orange, yellow and red stripes in contrasting white and navy tackle twill. Jersey shows moderate game use with just minimal fraying to the stitching and number and letters wear. These knit 80's pullovers with their bold colors display exceedingly well and this 1986 classic is no exception. Letter of Authenticity from MEARS who have thoroughly examined this Hall of Fame artifact and awarded it their highest grade: A10.