The 1986 Topps Baseball card set is largely considered one of the most iconic and collectible issues in the modern era of the hobby. While the base set cards featured photography of that season’s players, Topps also produced a coveted “Traded” series insert that captured historical trades and transactions from years past. Containing 54 cards in the subset, the 1986 Topps Traded cards documented notable player movements between franchises through memorable photography and descriptive captions. Given the retroactive nature and nostalgia invoked by reflecting on baseball history, these traded inserts became immensely popular with collectors upon the set’s release over 35 years ago.
One of the most prominently featured trades in the 1986 Topps Traded set was the December 9, 1977 deal that sent slugger Reggie Jackson from the Baltimore Orioles to the New York Yankees. With future Hall of Famer Jackson in the midst of his prime, this blockbuster transaction transformed both franchises for years to come. The Traded card highlights Jackson sporting an Orioles uniform along with the caption “The trade that put Mr. October in pinstripes.” Jackson would go on to cement his legendary status in New York, hitting 3 home runs in the 1978 All-Star Game and winning three straight World Series titles from 1977-1979 while famously earning his “Mr. October” moniker in October of those championship seasons.
Another hugely impactful player movement depicted was the July 29, 1975 trade that sent future Reds ace and HOF pitcher Tom Seaver from the Mets to the Reds. Nicknamed “Tom Terrific” early in his career with the Mets, Seaver won the NL Cy Young award in 1973 and was still performing at an elite level when dealt to Cincinnati. The Traded card features a portrait of Seaver in Mets azure blue with the description of how the “trade stunned Mets fans and boosted the Reds’ pennant hopes.” Seaver would lead the NL in both ERA and strikeouts in 1975 following the swap and help the Big Red Machine capture the 1975 World Series title.
One of the more blockbuster multi-player deals shown was the December 10, 1977 trade between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. This 11-player transaction was nicknamed the “Trade of the Century” and involved established veterans as well as top prospects changing uniform colors. Future Hall of Famer Dusty Baker and pitcher Ed Glynn were part of the package sent from LA to Atlanta in the swap. The Traded entry portrays Baker, Glynn, and the other players moved in the titanic trade that dramatically reshaped both organizations for years to come. Baker would enjoy the finest seasons of his career during his Braves tenure, making 3 All-Star teams and winning the 1982 NL batting title.
The July 30, 1979 trade that brought slugging outfielder Dave Kingman from the Mets to the Cubs after two productive seasons in New York also earned a spot in the subset. Kingman’s prodigious home run talent, volatile streakiness, and enigmatic personality made him a lightning rod for fans and media alike throughout his career. The Traded card highlights Kingman sporting his Mets duds with a caption noting how the “trade lifted the Cubs’ long ball hopes.” Kingman went on to lead the NL in home runs in 1975 as a member of the Cubs squad that season.
Additional notable transactions and players given Traded treatment included Joe Morgan going from theAstros to the Reds in 1971 and immediately winning consecutive NL MVP awards; Jeff Burroughs getting sent from the Rangers to the Braves in 1976 after taking NL MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in 1974; Fred Lynn switching from the Red Sox to the Angels in 1980 after receiving the 1975 AL MVP and Rookie of the Year accolades; and Gary Nolan leaving the Reds for the Expos in a 1972 swap depicted through a portrait in Cincy red.
The 1986 Topps Traded coverage also paid tribute to 1960s and 1970s transactions through photos showcasing players in their original uniforms like Ken Singleton going from the Athletics to the Orioles, Dooley Womack switching from the Braves to the Reds, Lee May being part of a multi-player deal that sent him from the Astros to the Orioles, Gaylord Perry being swapped from the Giants to the Rangers, Orlando Cepeda leaving the Giants for the Cardinals, and Ken Holtzman changing allegiances from the A’s to the Cubs.
The 1986 Topps Traded insert provided a unique historical retrospective of impactful baseball trades through stellar black and white photography and succinct descriptions for each player movement. By documenting such consequential deals and showcasing the key players in uniforms of their former teams, Topps created a true collector’s item that invoked tremendous nostalgia for the game’s rich history among fans and players alike. To this day, the 1986 Topps Traded cards remain one of the most recognized and coveted retro inserts produced due to their ability to teleport collectors back through the decades to reminisce on baseball’s past. Their engaging retroactive format telling the stories and histories of player careers made and remade through trades endures as a clever and influential set design still celebrated by card aficionados today.
