The 1986 Topps set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable baseball card releases of all time. While the entire set contains many notable rookie cards and stars of the era, several stand out as true record breakers that shattered long-held MLB records in 1985-86. These unprecedented performances were perfectly captured on the cards in the 1986 Topps set, making them highly coveted by collectors to this day. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most significant record breakers featured in the ’86 Topps checklist.
Perhaps the most famous record-setting card from 1986 Topps is card #30, featuring Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox. In 1986, Clemens put together one of the greatest pitching seasons in baseball history. He went 24-4 with a minuscule 1.93 ERA and 238 strikeouts, leading the AL in all three pitching triple crown categories. Clemens’ 238 K’s shattered the single-season record that had stood for over 100 years since Nolan Ryan struck out 237 batters in 1974. The Clemens ’86 Topps card perfectly captures the excitement of his record-setting season and is one of the most valuable cards in the entire set today.
Another ace pitcher who dominated in ’85-86 was Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets. As a 20-year-old in 1985, Gooden went 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA and 268 strikeouts, leading the NL in wins, ERA, strikeouts and winning percentage. His 268 strikeouts broke Clemens’ newly-set AL record from the previous season. Gooden’s incredible ’85 campaign is memorialized on his ’86 Topps card (#76). Like Clemens, Gooden’s record-setting season card is a true gem in the set worth a premium today.
On the offensive side, Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees had an all-time great season in 1984. The smooth-swinging first baseman hit .343 with 35 home runs and 145 RBIs to lead the AL in batting average for the only time in his career. Mattingly’s .343 average broke the long-standing AL batting title record of .340 set by Ty Cobb in 1925. His incredible ’84 season, which earned him the AL MVP award, is showcased on his ’86 Topps card (#30). As one of the most popular players of the era, Mattingly’s record-setting card remains a highly sought-after piece for collectors.
In 1986, Roger Maris’ single-season home run record of 61, which had stood since 1961, was eclipsed not once but twice. First, slugger Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies crushed 40 home runs in the strike-shortened 1987 season, setting a new NL single-season record. Schmidt’s NL-record 40 homers are commemorated on his ’86 Topps card (#495). Then, late in the season, Yankees outfielder Don Mattingly’s teammate Dave Winfield smashed his 43rd home run to set a new AL single-season record. Winfield’s AL-record setting season is featured on his ’86 Topps card (#165).
The most famous home run record-breaker of all from 1986 was, of course, the Bambino himself, Roger Maris. After 25 years, Maris’ hallowed single-season home run record of 61 was finally broken in spectacular fashion by “The Hammer”, Hank Aaron, when playing for the Milwaukee Brewers in ’74. Aaron’s legendary chase of the Babe and his record-setting 715th career home run, which broke Babe Ruth’s all-time career record, are forever immortalized on his classic ’86 Topps card (#1). As one of the most culturally significant cards ever issued, the ’86 Aaron is truly a prized piece of baseball memorabilia.
The 1986 Topps baseball card set is packed with stars, rookies and one-of-a-kind record-setting cards. From Clemens to Gooden, Mattingly to Schmidt, and Aaron to Winfield, the incredible individual performances and record-shattering stats from 1985-86 were captured perfectly in the ’86 Topps checklist. Over 35 years later, these unprecedented seasons still resonate strongly with collectors, making the cards of these record breakers extremely valuable and desirable pieces within the set. The 1986 Topps release immortalized some of the most hallowed records in baseball history at the time they were set, cementing its place as one of the most historically significant and collectible issues in the hobby.
