#760 - Nolan Ryan

What a card: Nolan Ryan was still going strong for the Astros at age 37 in 1984, although he did appear in the fewest total innings for a complete season (183.2) since 1971.

My observation on the front: Part of the "wow factor" of Ryan signing with the Astros was him wearing that bright orange cap and the rainbow stripes across the chest. The Astros ditched that gear for the 1982 season, though, and I always found the blue tops and stripes restricted to the shoulders not nearly as exciting (although I understand the switch).

More opinion from me: I get the feeling that Ryan didn't give a wit what he wore on the field.

Something you might know: More strikeouts and no-hitters than anyone, folks.

Something you might not know: Ryan's mother, Martha, who died in 1990, is a descendant of John Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence.

My observation on the back: Ryan's childhood dream was to be a cowboy, so mission accomplished.

The blog wants to speak now: The News category is updated.

#7 - Record Breaker, Nolan Ryan

What a card: This card recognizes Nolan Ryan finishing the 1984 season with the most career strikeouts. Of course, Ryan holds the all-time strikeout lead by 800-plus Ks now, but at the time he was in a back-and-forth race with Steve Carlton for two seasons.

My observation on the front: In the mid-1980s, the Astros were moving away from the rainbow look of their late '70s/early '80s uniforms to a more sedate appearance, including this softball uniform thing. I'd rather have the rainbows.

More opinion from me: We're really taking a tour through MLB heavyweights with these record-breaker cards. Cliff Johnson is a little out-of-place so far.

Something you might know: Ryan took the career strikeout lead for good in September of 1984 and finished the year with 3,874 for his career. He was the first to break Walter Johnson's mark of 3,508, followed soon after by Carlton and Gaylord Perry. Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Tom Seaver, Bert Blyleven and Don Sutton have all passed The Big Train, too.

Something you might not know: Ryan finished the '84 season just two career strikeouts ahead of Carlton. It could very well have been Carlton on this record-breaker card.

My observation on the back: Someone asked earlier if they were the only one who was bothered by Topps' arbitrary capitalization of words. They're not the only one. I mentioned it many times on my '75 Topps blog, and "Whiffs" really stands out here.

The blog wants to speak now: I've updated the music, movie and news tabs. After a recent illness, I hope to get back in the swing of updating those.