Nolan Ryan No-Hitter Ticket Stubs: Value Guide

Seven No-Hitters, Seven Collectible Ticket Stubs

Nolan Ryan holds one of the most untouchable records in baseball: seven career no-hitters, spread across four different teams and 27 years of pitching. No other pitcher in Major League Baseball history has thrown more than four. Each of those seven games produced a ticket stub that is now among the most sought-after pieces of baseball memorabilia in existence.

For collectors, Nolan Ryan no-hitter stubs represent the intersection of individual greatness and extreme rarity. Only a few thousand fans attended some of these games, and only a fraction of those fans kept their stubs. Decades later, surviving examples command serious prices at auction and through private sales. Here is a breakdown of each no-hitter, what the stubs look like, and what they are worth today.

No-Hitter #1: May 15, 1973 — Kansas City Royals

Ryan's first no-hitter came in his debut season with the California Angels. He struck out 12 Royals batters at Anaheim Stadium in a 3-0 victory. At the time, Ryan was still establishing himself as one of the game's elite power pitchers, and attendance was modest — just over 12,000 fans were in the stands.

Stubs from this game are among the most valuable of the seven because they mark the beginning of the record. A ticket stub in good condition from this game typically sells in the range of $500 to $1,500, depending on condition and whether it is a full ticket or a torn stub. PSA-graded examples in high grades have sold for more.

No-Hitter #2: July 15, 1973 — Detroit Tigers

Just two months after his first, Ryan threw his second no-hitter, this time against the Detroit Tigers at Tiger Stadium. He struck out 17 batters — one of the highest strikeout totals ever recorded in a no-hitter. The final score was 6-0. This game is particularly notable because it happened on the road, meaning the stubs carry the classic Tiger Stadium design that collectors of demolished stadium memorabilia also prize.

Tiger Stadium was demolished in 2009, adding a layer of nostalgia and scarcity to these stubs. Values typically range from $400 to $1,200 for ungraded examples. The combination of Ryan's dominance, the 17 strikeouts, and the lost venue makes this one of the more desirable stubs in the set.

No-Hitter #3: September 28, 1974 — Minnesota Twins

Ryan's third no-hitter came against the Twins at Anaheim Stadium, a 4-0 Angels victory. He struck out 15 batters and walked eight — a testament to the wildness that accompanied his overwhelming velocity throughout his career. With this game, Ryan tied Sandy Koufax's career record of four no-hitters, setting the stage for history.

Stubs from this game are moderately valued in the $300 to $1,000 range. While significant as the record-tying no-hitter, it does not carry the same landmark appeal as the first or the record-breaker.

No-Hitter #4: June 1, 1975 — Baltimore Orioles

This was the big one — the no-hitter that broke Sandy Koufax's record and gave Ryan sole possession of the all-time mark. He beat the Orioles 1-0 at Anaheim Stadium, striking out nine. The significance of breaking Koufax's record, which had stood for nearly a decade and was considered untouchable, makes this the single most important Ryan no-hitter from a historical standpoint.

Record-breaking stubs always carry a premium. Expect values of $800 to $2,500 or more for stubs from this game. Full unused tickets and PSA-graded examples command the highest prices. This is the crown jewel for Ryan collectors and one of the most valuable no-hitter ticket stubs in all of baseball.

No-Hitter #5: September 26, 1981 — Los Angeles Dodgers

After a six-year gap, Ryan threw his fifth no-hitter, this time as a member of the Houston Astros. He blanked the Dodgers 5-0 at the Astrodome, striking out 11. This game is notable for several reasons: it was Ryan's first no-hitter in a different league (National League), it came against one of baseball's most storied franchises, and it was played in the Astrodome — another venue that has since been closed to baseball.

Stubs from this game typically sell in the $300 to $900 range. The Astrodome connection adds appeal for collectors interested in historic venue memorabilia, and Dodgers collectors also have interest in stubs from this game as a notable loss in franchise history.

No-Hitter #6: June 11, 1990 — Oakland Athletics

By 1990, Ryan was 43 years old and pitching for the Texas Rangers. Nobody expected another no-hitter from a pitcher his age, which is exactly what made it so remarkable. He no-hit the Oakland A's 5-0 at the Oakland Coliseum, striking out 14 batters. The A's lineup that day included Rickey Henderson, Jose Canseco, and Mark McGwire — making Ryan's dominance even more impressive.

These stubs are valued in the $400 to $1,200 range. The age factor — Ryan was the oldest pitcher to ever throw a no-hitter at that time — and the quality of the opposing lineup make this a fan favorite among Ryan collectors. It was also a road game, meaning the stubs feature Oakland Coliseum branding.

No-Hitter #7: May 1, 1991 — Toronto Blue Jays

The final no-hitter, and in many ways the most legendary. At age 44, Ryan no-hit the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 at Arlington Stadium, striking out 16 batters. He became the oldest pitcher in MLB history to throw a no-hitter, a record that still stands. The Blue Jays lineup included Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter — not exactly easy outs.

As the seventh and final no-hitter, this stub carries enormous sentimental and historical value. Prices range from $500 to $2,000, with premium examples going higher. Arlington Stadium was demolished in 1994, which adds the lost-venue premium. For many collectors, this is the single most desirable Ryan no-hitter stub because it represents the culmination of the entire record.

Collecting All Seven

A complete set of ticket stubs from all seven Nolan Ryan no-hitters is one of the holy grails of baseball memorabilia collecting. Very few complete sets are known to exist, and when one surfaces, it commands a significant premium over the individual stubs combined. Assembling the set yourself is a years-long project that requires patience, connections, and a willingness to pay top dollar when the right stub becomes available.

If you happen to have stubs from multiple Ryan no-hitters — perhaps from a family member who was a dedicated Angels, Astros, or Rangers fan — the set value is considerably higher than what you would get selling them individually.

What Affects the Value of Ryan No-Hitter Stubs

Several factors influence pricing beyond which no-hitter the stub is from. Condition is paramount — stubs with sharp corners, no tears, legible printing, and minimal wear command the highest prices. Full unused tickets are worth substantially more than torn stubs. Professional grading from PSA adds a layer of authentication and typically increases the sale price by 30 to 50 percent or more.

The specific seat location can also matter. Box seat stubs or field-level tickets sometimes carry slight premiums over general admission or upper deck stubs, though the game significance matters far more than where you sat.

How to Sell Nolan Ryan No-Hitter Stubs

If you own a ticket stub from any of Nolan Ryan's seven no-hitters, you have a genuinely valuable piece of baseball history. Your options for selling include listing on eBay, consigning through a major auction house like Heritage Auctions or Goldin, or selling directly to a buyer like StubHaul.

For individual high-value stubs, auction houses can achieve strong prices but take commissions of 15 to 20 percent and the process takes weeks or months. For a faster sale, contact StubHaul for a free evaluation and cash offer. We buy Nolan Ryan memorabilia regularly and can give you a fair price quickly. Send us photos of your stubs and we will let you know exactly what they are worth.