Kirby Puckett was an all-time great center fielder who spent his entire MLB career with the Minnesota Twins from 1984 to 1995. He was known for his elite defense, clutch hitting, and powerful lefty swing. Puckett’s 12-year career was cut short due to glaucoma that caused him to lose vision in his right eye, but not before cementing his legacy as one of baseball’s best players of the 1980s and 90s.

When it comes to Kirby Puckett baseball cards, collectors have many iconic and valuable options to choose from spanning his entire playing career from rookie cards through the early 1990s. While Puckett only played from 1984-1995, he produced plenty of valuable cards during the junk wax era of the late 1980s that collectors loved to hunt. Let’s break down some of the most notable and valuable Kirby Puckett baseball cards on the secondary market today based on PSA 10 Gem Mint grades and recent auction prices:

1984 Topps Traded #2T – This is considered Puckett’s true rookie card even though it was released as a traded version later in 1984 after he made his MLB debut. High graded PSA 10 copies have sold for over $2,000. More common PSA 8-9 grades can be acquired for $300-700.

1984 Donruss #118 – Another one of Puckett’s major rookie card releases from his debut season. PSA 10s have sold for around $1,000 while PSA 9 grades go for $350-500.

1984 Fleer #543 – Puckett’s third rookie card release. PSA 10s sell for $700-900 range with PSA 9 copies moving for $250-400.

1985 Topps #126 – Puckett’s first main set Topps card. PSA 10s bring $250-350. PSA 9 prices are $100-150.

1985 Donruss #120 – Super common from the junk wax era but still holds value in top grades. PSA 10s sell for $175-250. PSA 9 grades go for $75-100.

1986 Topps #410 – One of Puckett’s most iconic card images. PSA 10s consistently sell above $500. PSA 9 copies are $200-300.

1987 Topps #1 – Puckett’s first flagship card issue as an All-Star caliber player. This was also the hottest trading card set of the late 1980s. PSA 10s rarely sell under $1,000 with some examples cracking $2,000. PSA 9 prices are $300-500.

1988 Score #370 – Perhaps Puckett’s best on-card photo. PSA 10s surpass the $1,000 mark. PSA 9 grades are $350-550.

1989 Topps #480 – Puckett was an MVP caliber regular by this point. PSA 10 prices for this card stay above $750. PSA 9 copies sell for $275-400.

1990 Topps Traded #T74 – Puckett’s traded card issue after winning the 1988 AL batting title. PSA 10s have reached the $2,000+ range. PSA 9 grades trade hands for $600-900.

1990 Leaf #113 – Popular Leaf brand sets of the era. PSA 10 prices are $800-1,200. PSA 9s are valued $300-500.

1991 Topps #512 – One of Puckett’s last prime season issue before injuries slowed him down. PSA 10 values are $500-800. PSA 9 prices range from $200-350.

1992 Upper Deck #145 – His final flagship card while still an effective player. PSA 10 copies sell for $300-500. PSA 9 grades are $150-250.

1993 Flair #388 – Puckett’s penultimate card issued before retiring. PSA 10 prices are steady at $250-400. PSA 9 values are $100-200.

There are certainly other valuable Puckett cards not mentioned here like rookie cup parallels, autographed versions, and rare ungraded examples. But generally speaking, his 1980s rookie issues as well as 1987-1991 Topps flagship cards continue to retain strong collector demand and higher prices depending on the exact issue and grade. Even with the hobby downturn in recent years, all-time great 1980s/90s players like Kirby Puckett who won two World Series with the Twins will remained valued in the trading card world for years to come.

In summary, Puckett had one of the best MLB careers of his era and that is reflected in the strong prices his vintage baseball cards still demand on the secondary market. Holding PSA 10 gem mint examples of his 1980s Donruss, Fleer and Topps rookie cards as well as many of his late 80s/early 90s Topps flagship issues is a great long term baseball card investment, especially for Twins collectors. While the junk wax era cards are very plentiful, iconic players from that time period like Kirby Puckett who experienced big success regularly see high demand for their top graded examples.