The 1985 Topps baseball card set marked another great year of collecting for many fans and investors. The set featured 660 total cards including rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Dwight Gooden, Barry Larkin, and Cecil Fielder. With Hall of Fame worthy players and key rookie cards, the 1985 Topps set remains a popular and valuable one for collectors to this day.
Some of the standout rookie cards from the 1985 set include Dwight Gooden’s card which can fetch hundreds of dollars graded gem mint. As one of the best pitchers of the 1980s, Gooden won the Rookie of the Year award in 1984 and the Cy Young award in 1985 while leading the league in strikeouts both seasons. He helped lead the New York Mets to a World Series title in 1986 cementing his early status as a star. Gooden’s rookie card remains one of the most coveted and valuable from the entire decade.
Another star rookie was third baseman Barry Larkin of the Cincinnati Reds. As a shortstop, Larkin went on to have a career as one of the best defensive players ever spending his entire 19 year career with the Reds. He was selected to 18 All Star teams, won the 1995 National League MVP award and helped lead the Reds to the 1990 World Series title. Larkin was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012 making his 1985 Topps rookie one of the more historically significant cards from the set as well.
While not a Hall of Famer, Cecil Fielder broke out in 1985 with the Toronto Blue Jays slugging 27 home runs in just 108 games played that season. Fielder was traded to the Detroit Tigers after the season where he became one of the game’s premier power hitters throughout the late 80s and early 90s. His rookie card remains popular with collectors still to this day.
In addition to star rookie cards, the 1985 Topps set also featured future Hall of Famers like Ozzie Smith, Don Sutton, Phil Niekro, and Jim Rice in action shots from their great careers. This added to the prestige and collecting opportunity for fans. The set also included final career cards for legends like Willie Stargell and Gaylord Perry adding to the historical significance.
Beyond just the stars and rookies, the overall design aesthetic of the 1985 Topps cards is also very appealing to collectors. The cards featured colorful action photo centered graphics with team logos across the top. Statistical information was included on the back along with a short career retrospective. The card stock was also of high quality making preserved examples still look fresh and vibrant decades later when graded and encased.
When searching for 1985 Topps cards to purchase, there are a few factors to pay attention to that can greatly impact the value and collectibility. The first is the player featured and their career impact or Hall of Fame status as noted above. Rookie cards of future stars will demand the highest prices. Condition is also critical, with higher graded Near Mint-Mint or gem mint examples bringing far more money since flaws significantly hurt value. It’s also important to know which players have true scarce short prints that command premium prices. Other parallels like black border variations can also provide added value.
If seeking a complete set, look for examples still in the original wax packs or wrappers to ensure all cards remained preserved together over time. Keep in mind a full base set will contain 660 cards so this is a major collecting undertaking. Individual star rookie or key player cards can also be obtained outside of a full set build. Be wary of potential reprints, forgeries or condition issues that could be misrepresented by sellers so do research to avoid potential scams. Reputable online auction sites, graders, and sportscard shops provide the most buyer protection.
For most in-demand cards from the 1985 Topps baseball set, expect to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for the best of the best examples – especially for rookie cards like Dwight Gooden. But affordable common players or stars can still be found in the $5-50 range that offer great collecting value given the nostalgia of the set design and historical lineup of players featured. Overall, 1985 Topps remains one of the most beloved releases that is proven to retain value long-term for dedicated collectors and investors. Finding pristine examples to purchase ensures participating in the growing market surrounding this classic baseball card set.
