The 1986 Fleer Update baseball card set was the third and final set released by Fleer during the 1986 season. While not as iconic or well-known as the initial 1986 Fleer or Topps flagship releases, the 86 Fleer Update set featured rookie cards and stars from the midseason point and contained several keys that have proven to become extremely valuable in the decades since. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable and sought-after cards found in the 1986 Fleer Update set.
Perhaps the single most valuable and iconic card from the 86 Fleer Update set is the rookie card of baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr. While Junior had debuted in the majors in 1985 and been included in that year’s Fleer and Topps sets, his true rookie card comes from the 1986 Update set as it was the first card issued after he played in a full season in the majors. Griffey Jr. would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and be considered one of the greatest to ever play the game. As a result, his 86 Fleer Update rookie in pristine mint condition can fetch astronomical prices today. In a PSA 10 Gem Mint grade, it has been known to sell for over $100,000 at auction, easily cementing it as the most valuable card from this set.
Another tremendously valuable rookie card found in 86 Fleer Update is that of Detroit Tigers’ star pitcher Jack Morris. While Morris debuted in 1977 and appeared in prior sets, the 86 Update card is considered his true rookie due to card manufacturers following strict rookie card rules at the time. Morris would go on to win 254 games in his career and pitch a 10-inning shutout for the Minnesota Twins in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, earning him World Series MVP honors. High quality examples of Morris’s rookie in a PSA 9-10 grade can sell in the $10,000 range or more.
In addition to rookies, the 86 Fleer Update set also featured several key star cards that have become very valuable. Perhaps the most notable star featured is New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden. Known simply as “Doc,” Gooden was coming off back-to-back Cy Young award winning seasons in 85-86 and was arguably the best pitcher in baseball during the mid 80s. His performance on the field is matched by the popularity and demand for his cards. A PSA 10 Gooden from the 86 Update set would command $3,000+ on the resale market.
Another powerful 80s pitcher with an iconic card in this set is Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros. Known as “The Ryan Express” for his 100+ mph fastball, Ryan was already a legend at this point with numerous no-hitters to his name. As one of the first true “power pitcher” stars, his cards greatly resonate with collectors to this day. His 86 Fleer Update can be found grading $800-1000 in high end PSA 10 condition.
Roberto Alomar’s rookie card is also found within the 1986 Fleer Update checklist. Although Alomar had debuted in 1988 and appeared in prior sets already, the 1986 Update is considered the true rookie card by the collecting standards during that era since it was the first card produced after playing his first full season in the majors in 1985. Alomar went on to have a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles. His 86 Update rookie in PSA 9-10 condition fetches $300-500 or more in today’s market depending on market conditions.
While rookie and star cards constitute much of the value within the 1986 Fleer Update set, there are also a few key errors and variations that command huge collector interest. One such example is the Mark McGuire error card, lacking the accented i in his last name. Examples with the error are rare and quite valuable, selling often for $1,000 dollars or more. Another hot variation is the Dwight Gooden “Missing Signature” card that was inadvertently produced without his autograph on the front. These rare find without the signature can reach the $500-1000 range as well.
While less heralded than flagship releases, the 1986 Fleer Update contained the true rookie cards of future stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Dwight Gooden, Roberto Alomar, and Jack Morris. When found in pristine near-mint to mint condition, these rookie gems along with top star cards of Nolan Ryan and others make 1986 Fleer Update arguably one of the most valuable 1980s card sets to collect from today. With iconic names, high grades, and rarity on its side, this third Fleer release from 1986 maintains a well-deserved place of honor among serious baseball card collectors and investors.
