1969 was Ryan’s second year but his first solo card. And one of my favorite looking vintage sets. Beautiful classic autograph by Ryan, one of my favorite players of my childhood. He was absolutely dominant. A great example that has been authenticated by PSA DNA.

This Project 2020 card reimagines the iconic 1969 Topps #533 Nolan Ryan, designed by the legendary Just Don.
A tribute to one of baseball’s greatest pitchers, this card blends classic history with modern artistic flair. Nolan Ryan’s dominance on the mound is unmatched, with a record 5,714 strikeouts and seven no-hitters. Despite these achievements, it’s surprising that he never won a Cy Young Award (insane!!).
Whether you’re a fan of Ryan’s legacy or the unique Project 2020 series, this card is a legendary!

Nolan Ryan was one of my favorites growing up. Top 5 pitcher of all time. Who is in your top 5? A true power pitcher (like Randy Johnson after him) he could pitch a game and just blow past hitters. Pitchers now have pitch counts and analytics that preclude complete games, no hitters, and as many strikeouts as Ryan had. And he had staying power for a long duration. I loved these artist cards at the time. Like Diamond Kings in Donruss, these Upper Deck cards are full of nostalgia.

Yes, 1968 was his rookie card. I still don’t have one of those. But the 1969 (a better looking set design IMHO) and his first solo Topps card. The card condition is rough but the signature is clean and bold. Love the card and it will stay in my thin baseball PC.