Max Clark had a relatively short yet impactful major league baseball career, playing from 1985 to 1991 for the Chicago Cubs and Montreal Expos. Though he didn’t post huge offensive numbers, Clark was a solid defensive catcher and pitch framer who played a key role on some memorable Cubs teams in the late 1980s. Because of this, Max Clark baseball cards from his playing days remain popular with collectors today. Let’s take a deeper look at Clark’s career and the baseball cards issued during and after his time in the majors.
Born in 1962 in Kansas City, Missouri, Clark was drafted by the Cubs in the 5th round of the 1980 MLB Draft out of high school. He rose steadily through the Cubs farm system, showing strong defensive skills and a good arm despite lacking over-the-fence power with his bat. Clark made his MLB debut with Chicago in 1985 at age 22 and would go on to play parts of 7 seasons in the big leagues total. His role varied from backup catcher to part-time starter, though he never played in more than 89 games or accumulated over 200 at-bats in a single season.
Offensively, Clark’s career line was a somewhat modest .236 batting average with 13 home runs and 92 RBIs in 357 total games. Scouts praised his abilities behind the plate in terms of calling a good game, blocking pitches in the dirt, and correctly positioning infielders. Clark was also adept at managing pitching staffs and getting the most out of the hurlers he caught for. This included young Cubs pitchers such as Greg Maddux, Mike Bielecki, and Jamie Moyer during Chicago’s resurgent seasons from 1987-1989. Clark’s leadership and defense were key components in the Cubs winning division titles in 1984 and 1989.
In addition to his on-field contributions, Clark holds a special place in Cubs fan memories and lore for his pinch-hit heroics. On September 18, 1988 at Wrigley Field, Clark bombed a dramatic walk-off grand slam off reliever Lee Smith to defeat the rival St. Louis Cardinals 6-2. This dramatic moment helped propel the Cubs to the NL East title that year. Clark also hit a memorable 10th-inning playoff-clinching RBI single against the New York Mets in 1989. These postseason highlights make Clark baseball cards from his Cubs tenure especially cherished by fans of the long-suffering franchise.
After the 1990 season, Clark was dealt by Chicago to the Montreal Expos alongside pitchers Dave Martinez and Jeff Pico in exchange for OF Darrin Jackson. Clark would go on to play parts of two more seasons in Montreal before retiring after 1991 at age 29. Injuries had begun to take a toll on his catching abilities by that point. Over parts of 7 big league seasons total between the Cubs and Expos, Clark compiled a .236 career average with 13 home runs and 92 RBIs in 357 games played.
Although his career numbers were nothing special, Max Clark left an indelible mark on Cubs fans with his clutch hits and stellar defense that helped the team achieve success in the late 1980s. As a result, baseball cards from Clark’s playing days remain very popular with collectors today, especially ones from his Chicago tenure. Here are some of the most sought-after Max Clark cards on the secondary market:
1985 Fleer #535: Clark’s rookie card from his cup of coffee with the Cubs that season. Highly collectible for rookie card collectors. Can fetch $40-$60 USD graded near-mint or better.
1987 Topps #665: Clark is featured on this card wearing his Cubs uniform and catcher’s gear. A common issue but beloved by Cubs fans. $5-10 in worn condition.
1988 Donruss #564: Features a color photo of Clark from the 1988 season when the Cubs won the division. Signifies one of his best years. $15-25 near-mint.
1989 Bowman #547: Clark’s sole card from the landmark 1989 Cubs season when they repeated as division champs. Highly scarce print run makes it a tough pull. $75+ in top grades.
1990 Donruss #647: Clark’s final Cubs card before being traded to Montreal that fall. Represents closure for collectors of his Chicago tenure. $12-18 near-mint.
In addition to his individual player cards, Clark is also featured on popular team and multi-player issues from the 1980s Cubs teams. Examples include 1987 Topps Traded, 1988 Fleer Box Bottoms, and 1989 Score Jumbo. All hold nostalgia and pop with collectors due to capturing Clark and those great Cubs squads. Even today, over 30 years later, the baseball cards of Max Clark live on as treasured pieces of memorabilia for Cubs fans everywhere. Though a backup for most of his career, Clark left an indelible legacy on Wrigley Field that will endure forever on cardboard.
