The 1985 Topps baseball card set was the 64th series produced by Topps and featured cards of major league baseball players and managers. Some key things to know about the 1985 Topps set include:
The 1985 set featured 660 total cards and included career stats and achievements on the back of each card. This was a reduction from the previous year’s set which had included 696 cards. The 1985 set included career highlights cards for retired players like Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal, and Willie McCovey. The design featured a reddish border along with each player’s name and team name printed diagonally across the front.
Several notable rookies debuted in the 1985 set including Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox, Barry Larkin of the Cincinnati Reds, and Mark McGwire of the Oakland A’s. Clemens would go on to become one of the greatest pitchers of all-time, winning 7 Cy Young awards. Larkin was arguably the best all-around shortstop of the late 80s and 90s, winning the MVP award in 1995. McGwire launched one of the most prodigious power hitting careers in baseball history, smashing many home run records before his admission of steroid use later in his career.
The most valuable and sought after card in the 1985 Topps set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey Jr. was one of the most exciting young prospects in baseball when he broke into the majors with the Seattle Mariners in 1987. With his smooth left-handed swing and gold glove caliber defense in center field, Griffey Jr. soon became one of the game’s biggest stars. His rookie card from the 1985 Topps set, featuring him as a young prospect in the Mariners’ farm system, has become one of the holy grails for collectors. High grade Griffey Jr. rookies in mint condition have sold for tens of thousands of dollars in recent years.
Another very valuable and iconic card from the 1985 Topps set is the Dwight Gooden rookie card. Gooden, nicknamed “Doc”, burst onto the scene in 1984 winning both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young award while leading the New York Mets to the World Series. His dominant pitching and electric stuff made him one of the most exciting players in baseball. Gooden’s rookie card showing his smooth delivery and intense stare has also gained legendary status among collectors. Mint condition Gooden rookies can rival or surpass top Griffey Jr. rookie prices.
The design features on the 1985 Topps cards were relatively straightforward compared to some more elaborate sets from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The cards did include some fun visual elements like action shots on many of the players. The cardboard stock used was of relatively high quality and most examples from the set have survived in good condition after nearly 40 years. The backs provided basic career stats and highlights which collectors appreciated for research purposes. The 1985 Topps set captures a fun era in the sport and provides a valuable snapshot of many baseball greats at various stages of their careers.
While most of the regular base cards in the 1985 Topps set hold relatively modest value today, there are several that stand out as being more valuable and desirable to collectors. In addition to the superstar rookie cards of Griffey Jr. and Gooden already discussed, other top cards include the Jose Canseco rookie, Ozzie Smith error card (misspelling his first name Ozsor), Wally Joyner error card (showing team as Angels instead of Royals), Cal Ripken Jr. (one of the most durable stars ever), Don Mattingly (one of the best hitters of the 1980s), and Kirby Puckett rookie (a key member of World Series champion Twins teams). While these cards still usually sell for hundreds to low thousands, mint condition examples could fetch upwards of $5,000 or more given the players depicted and their significance.
For today’s collectors, the 1985 Topps set provides an accessible vintage release that still features many familiar baseball greats but without the ultra-high prices of the 1950s or 1960s. Sets from the 1980s can usually be completed with a modest budget and the cards remain a fun connection to the players, teams and unique designs from that baseball era. Key rookies like Clemens, Larkin and McGwire mixed with aging legends and future Hall of Famers make the 1985 issue an engaging historical snapshot. With a sufficient checklist of notable players past and present along with steady but not astronomical prices, the 1985 Topps series will likely remain a collector favorite for years to come.
The 1985 Topps baseball card set captures a pivotal time in baseball during the middle 1980s. Future all-time greats made their rookie card debuts while established stars from the 60s, 70s and early 80s were featured as well. Iconic rookie cards of Ken Griffey Jr. and Dwight Gooden remain amongst the most valuable in the hobby. The set provides accessible vintage collecting while still honoring many legendary players. For both research and nostalgia purposes, the 1985 Topps issue remains a set that engaged collectors continue to appreciate nearly 40 years after its original release.
