The 1985 Bowman baseball card set was the final major release in the company’s acclaimed vintage run that spanned from 1956 to 1992. Like most pre-modern era issues, the 1985 edition contained primarily young minor leaguers and recent major league rookies in the vein of Bowman’s original player development model. This particular set also boasted several genuine star rookie cards that have become highly valuable modern investments.
Chief among the coveted 1985 Bowman rookie cards is Donruss competitor Topps’ main competition in the baseball card market at the time. Despite facing budget constraints that limited photography and design elements compared to competitors like Topps and Donruss, Bowman found success targeting prospects not yet in the other sets. This strategy allowed them to land some true prizes in the ‘85 checklist like Mark McGwire, Barry Larkin, and Randy Johnson – all of whom went on to tremendous major league careers and Hall of Fame enshrinement.
The 1985 Bowman set contains 132 total cards with player photos on the front and back-related statistical or biography info on the reverse. Size-wise, the thick-stock cardboard cards measure approximately 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, which was standard for the era. Among the significant rookie cards in the set, McGwire’s holds the most prominence being his official ’84 Expos debut issue before joining the A’s organization the following season. Like many of his early Reds cards, Larkin’s ’85 Bowman is one of his scarcest and most valuable as his true stardom didn’t fully emerge until later in the decade.
Randy Johnson’s card from the ’85 Bowman set stands out as one of the best investments from the checklist long-term. As “The Big Unit” went on to rack up over 4,000 career strikeouts and win 5 Cy Young Awards,Demand for his rookie skyrocketed accordingly. Other notable star rookie cards include Danny Tartabull,Ellis Burks, and Mark Grace. While none Possess the true iconic status of McGwire, Larkin or Johnson, they remain key components for true 1985 Bowman collectors. The set also includes future stars like Tim Raines, Dennis Martinez, and Bobby Thigpen in their early minor league phases.
In terms of production numbers, the 1985 Bowman set carried on the mass-produced distribution model of the 1970s and early ‘80s baseball issues. Like most pre-modern era Bowman releases, initial print runs likely exceeded 10 million units according to industry analysts. As a result, most common cards retain values around $1-3 in low to mid-grade conditioned. Sharp mint examples of the better rookie cards have seen significant appreciation over the decades. Mint PSA 10 McGwire, Larkin and Johnson rookie cards routinely sell for thousands on the current market.
Beyond the star rookies, the 1985 Bowman set contains interesting developmental players who never fully panned out like Bobby Meacham and Steve Carter. It also features established veterans like Dwight Gooden, Ozzie Smith, and Dave Parker who were integral members of contending ballclubs at the time. The diverse checklist mixes top prospects, future Hall of Famers, and journeymen alike – capturing a true snapshot of the baseball landscape in the mid-1980s. For advanced collectors, locating rare graded examples of players making early minor league or big league appearances can offer thrill of the hunt rewards.
While production numbers remain high, the 1985 Bowman baseball set endures as one of the most historically significant issues in the hallowed company’s 67-year card run. Headlined by the all-time valuable rookie cards of McGwire, Larkin and Johnson, it serves as a true ‘who’s who’ of 1980s MLB talent. Even for common players, the cardboard artifacts provide a nostalgic look back at that exciting “Pre-Steroid Era” period in baseball history. Three and a half decades later, the ‘85 Bowman checklist maintains its stature as a critical collection pillar among enthusiasts of the vintage hobby.
