Nolan Ryan’s Four Rookie Cards | Vintage Vault

Ryan’s Four Horsemen Detailed

The four 1968 Nolan Ryan Rookie Cards are often called the “Four Horsemen.” They include two US-issued cards, one from Canada, and one from Venezuela.

Each card, numbered 177, features Nolan Ryan and Jerry Koosman. The designs are nearly identical, differing mainly in card stock.

Having four Topps rookie cards in 1968 was a bit of luck for Nolan Ryan, who wasn’t a huge name then.

Oddball sets like Milton Bradley, O-Pee-Chee, and Venezuelan didn’t replicate the Topps checklist fully. They included only a fraction of the complete set: Milton Bradley and O-Pee-Chee produced cards under 200, while the Venezuelan set included cards up to #370.

Who is Jerry Koosman?

Jerry Koosman often flies under the radar, overshadowed by Nolan Ryan, but he had a solid 19-year career deserving recognition as a “Hall of Very Good” player.

Koosman posted impressive numbers, including 53.6 WAR, 222 wins, 2,556 strikeouts, and a 3.36 ERA (110 ER +). His standout season came in 1979, with 20 wins and a remarkable 7.2 WAR.

Who is Nolan Ryan?

Nolan Ryan is among the most collectible pitchers in The Hobby, excluding Babe Ruth and possibly Shohei Ohtani.

Despite 81.3 WAR, he’s collected as if he had well over 100, thanks to his insane career stats: 7 no-hitters, 5,714 strikeouts, and an iconic fight with Robin Ventura.

Ryan’s collectibility is boosted by a four-decade career, appearing in both vintage and junk wax era releases and the first Chrome set (1993 Finest).

Nolan Ryan Bonus Card

Before diving into the four Nolan Ryan rookie cards, it’s worth mentioning a bonus card: the 1967 Mets team card. While not officially classified as a Ryan rookie, it marks his first appearance on cardboard.

Available in both Topps and O-Pee-Chee versions, it’s an affordable entry point compared to the rookie cards we’ll cover next. This is an excellent option for collectors seeking an early Ryan card without the hefty price tag of his 1968–1972 releases.

1968 Topps Mets Rookies #177 J. Koosman/N. Ryan

This is the easiest Nolan Ryan Rookie card to find. Walk into any card show; you’ll find a few copies within display cases. Low-grade copies typically range from $300–$500, but prices skyrocket in high gra es. A PSA 8, depending on centering and eye appeal, can surpass $10,000

1968 Topps Mets Rookies Milton Bradley #177 J. Koosman/N. Ryan

These cards originated from the Win-A-Card board game, which included more than just baseball cards. The game also had 1967 Topps Football and 1968 Topps Hot Rods, as well

To identify a Milton Bradley version, look for a brighter cardstock on the back and a distinct white border on the side, which resulted from its placement on the card sheet.

1968 O-Pee-Chee #177 J. Koosman/N. Ryan

This is the second-rarest Nolan Ryan rookie card. While Topps O-Pee-Chee (OPC) baseball cards date back to 1965, OPC’s baseball origins go even further, issuing its first set in 1937.

Topps also produced Canadian cards as early as 1952 or 1954, depending on your view of the origin of the 1952 gray backs. 

The gray backs are debated to have been distributed in either the Midwest or Canada, but it’s confirmed that the 1954 gray backs were exclusively Canadian

The easiest way to distinguish an OPC is to flip the card. Sadly, unlike other OPC years, the 68 offers a nearly identical back. But the card does state it was printed in Canada.

1968 Venezuela Topps #177 J. Koosman / N. Ryan

If you’re pursuing all four Nolan Ryan rookies, this is the hardest to find. Private sales in 2024 have reached $10,000 for a 1, and even with the money ready, sourcing a copy can take time due to its low population and limited availability.

The easiest way to identify a Venezuelan version is by its duller image quality and the “Venezuela” mentioned on the back.

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