The 1986 Fleer Update set marked the second time that Fleer produced additional cards for active players after the original issue date. Promoted as containing new photos and stats for the current season, the Update set was eagerly anticipated by collectors. While not all of the Update cards would become tremendously valuable long term, a select few have stood the test of time and increased substantially in price. Let’s take an in depth look at some of the most valuable 1986 Fleer Update baseball cards.
We’ll start with arguably the most iconic and valuable card from the set – the Nolan Ryan Express Edition. Fleer recognized Ryan’s pursuit of Walter Johnson’s all-time strikeout record and crafted a Special Express Edition card featuring new artwork depicting Ryan’s blazing fastball. Only 10,000 of these cards were printed, featuring scratch-off stats on the back to countdown Ryan’s progress. In near mint condition, high grade examples regularly sell for over $5,000 today. The card’s scarcity, subject matter commemorating a historic record, and classic Fleer design all contribute to its tremendous demand.
Another high dollar card is the Roger Clemens. Widely considered one of the most talented pitchers of all-time, the 1986 season was a breakout year for Clemens as he won the AL Cy Young Award with a 24-4 record and led the league in strikeouts. His Update card shows him sporting a Boston Red Sox uniform and is one of the earliest cards capturing “The Rocket” in his prime. Graded Mint 9 examples have sold for around $4,000, showing Clemens’ name value and the card memorializing a seminal season.
The Dwight Gooden Update is also quite valuable at around $2,000 in top graded condition. Like Clemens, 1986 was a banner year as “Doctor K” dominated the NL with a 24-4 record and 268 strikeouts to claim Cy Young honors. His card pictures the lean, young Mets fireballer preparing to deliver another blazing fastball. Gooden’s success and lively on-card pose make this a highly collectible card for ’80s card enthusiasts and Mets fans.
Two other Update rookie cards that hold substantial value are Andres Galarraga and Mark McGwire. The “Big Cat” Galarraga rookie shows him as a 23-year old first baseman with the Montreal Expos, foreshadowing his powerful swing that would produce 400 career home runs. High grade Galarraga rookies trade for over $1,000. McGwire’s rookie card pictures the promising young slugger in an Athletics uniform before he put baseball’s steroids era in the spotlight. Near mint McGwire’s have sold at auction for $800-900, with his prodigious home run talent depicted at an early point in his career adding collector interest.
A few other well-known names with valuables Update cards include Ozzie Smith at $500-600 in top condition. Smith was already an eight-time Gold Glove winner for the Cardinals by 1986, and his card shows his peerless defense that made him a first ballot Hall of Famer. The Don Mattingly Update routinely fetches $300-400. Not yet in his offensive prime, Mattingly’s Update pays tribute to his leadership as captain of the ’85 Yankees. The burgeoning superstar status and gifted hitting ability he later displayed fuels demand for this early card.
As a local hero on formidable pitching staffs, Bret Saberhagen’s value has climbed to $250-300 range. His Royal blue Update portrays him as a talented 22-year old before winning two Cy Youngs in the late ’80s. Rickey Henderson, already a prolific base stealer for the A’s by ’86, has an Update valued at $250 in top shape. His game-changing speed and offensive skills that made him the greatest leadoff hitter ever adds to collector interest in his cards. The Tim Raines Update pops up for around $150-200 in top-end condition. By ’86, Raines was well on his way to a standout career with Montreal, making this an appealing card for Expos and talent aficionados alike.
While most 1986 Fleer Update cards hold fairly modest values, certain star players and key rookie cards have increased tremendously due to strong on-card performance, memorable stats, or niche collector demand. The scarcity of the Nolan Ryan Express Edition coupled with its iconic subject matter make it the clear flagship card of the set. But diamonds in the rough like the Gooden, Clemens, and Galarraga rookies have also grown to four-figure status thanks to their portrayals of all-time great player careers at early junctures. For both vintage card collectors and those tracking the increasing worth of ‘80s cardboard, the ‘86 Fleer Update remains a very relevant and financially rewarding part of card history.
