Tag Archives: 1985

WHAT 1985 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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The 1985 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable Fleer sets ever produced. This is due to several key rookie cards and stars of the era featured at the height of their careers. The set contains 132 total cards with a mixture of stars, rookie cards, and common filler players. Several cards stand out as consistently being worth quite a bit of money in high grades.

One of the most valuable rookie cards from 1985 Fleer is Dwight Gooden’s card. As one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1980s, Gooden’s rookie card is iconic. In near-mint to mint condition, graded PSA 8 or higher, Gooden rookie cards sell regularly for $200-500. PSA 10 examples can go for over $1000. This is considered Gooden’s true definitive rookie card and captures him at the start of his Rookie of the Year and Cy Young winning season.

Another very valuable rookie card is Roger Clemens’ first Fleer issue. Clemens would go on to have an Hall of Fame career and was already establishing himself in 1985. Low numbered PSA 8s sell for $150-300 while PSA 10 Clemens’ rookies demand over $500. Like Gooden, this cements Clemens’ rookie status and his card remains highly sought after by collectors.

Don Mattingly’s stardom in the 1980s makes his common ’85 Fleer card surprisingly expensive for a recurrent photo. High graded copies in PSA 8 or 9 condition still sell for $75-150 due to his Yankee popularity. In a PSA 10 gem mint, Mattingly’s value reaches $250-400 depending on competition in the market. He was the cover athlete and featured player in ’85 making any near-perfect copies quite rare.

Kirby Puckett’s rookie card also appears in the 1985 set. While not quite as valuable as Gooden or Clemens, a PSA 8 Puckett rookie will still fetch $75-150. The higher the grade, from PSA 9 to PSA 10, the more expensive it becomes with 10s bringing $300-500. He was a key player on dominant Twins teams winning 2 World Series in the late 80s and early 90s.

Andre Dawson’s star power in Montreal makes his ’85 Fleer card hold value in high grades. A PSA 8 will sell for around $75-125 while a PSA 9 reaches $150-250. His defining stat of 49 home runs in 1987 increased collectability and demand. Even as a common card, quality examples retain value due to Dawson’s Hall of Fame caliber play.

Another key star of the era with a valuable base card is Ozzie Smith. While not a rookie, the Wizard of Oz was a perennial Gold Glove winner and vital part of the 1980s Cardinals. Higher graded copies in PSA 8 to 9 range from $50-150. Just as with Dawson, the defensive specialist’s smooth, high flying style created demand for pristine examples of his ’85 issue in collector circles.

Rookie cards that sometimes get overlooked but can still have value include Fernando Valenzuela. As one of the first Mexican-born MLB superstars, Fernando’s rookie has an international cultural appeal. Low pop PSA 9s can reach $75-150 while rare PSA 10s escalate above the $300-400 line. His record breaking rookie season made a big impression on collectors and fans at the time.

After a hot start to his career, Bob Welch’s rookie is more attainable than the likes of Gooden. but a PSA 9 still fetches $50-125. As the 27th overall pick and early ace, Welch’s potential created value before injuries slowed his progress. Collectors still seek out his budding stardom as captured in this fleeting first card appearance.

While most star cards are premium options, occasionally a more affordable high value play exists. Don Carman enjoyed a lengthy career but lacks true star status. Despite this, his ’85 Fleer is quite rare to earn the PSA 10 grade. The sharp rise in price to $150-300 for perfect copies outweighs the player’s resume. Scarcity trumps all for ambitious collectors on a budget.

The1985 Fleer baseball card set deserves its place among the most significant issues of the decade. Featuring the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Gooden and Clemens certainly preserves its relevance. The sustained popularity of stars like Mattingly, Puckett, Dawson and Smith creates demand for their commons as well. Even overlooked rookies like Valenzuela and Welch still engage collectors decades later. When found in pristine condition, virtually any card from this release has a solid chance of carrying a premium. The combination of star talent, rookie debuts, and the nostalgia of 1980s cards make ’85 Fleer a perpetual goldmine for discerning collectors.

WHAT 1985 BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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One of the most valuable 1985 baseball cards is the Kenny Griffey Jr. rookie card. Considered one of the best rookie cards of all time, the Griffey Jr. rookie in perfect gem mint condition can sell for over $100,000. Even well-worn near mint copies can fetch $1,000 or more due to Griffey’s legendary career and status as a fan favorite. His rookie card remains one of the icons of the 1980s baseball card boom.

Another very valuable 1985 rookie card is Dwight Gooden’s. As one of the brightest young pitching stars of his era, Gooden’s rookie card holds significant nostalgia and historical value. Pristine mint condition Gooden rookies have sold at auction for around $20,000. This is an impressive price for a card that was mass produced during the junk wax era of the mid-1980s. Gooden’s dominant rookie season and talent make this a must-have for collections.

Two other top rookie cards from 1985 that can earn five figures are Bret Saberhagen and Roberto Alomar. Saberhagen followed up his Rookie of the Year award by winning the Cy Young in his first two full MLB seasons. This success spawned great interest in his rookie card, which has reached as high as $8,000 in mint condition. Alomar debuted in 1988 but his cards were released before he played, making 1985 his true rookie set. Now a Hall of Famer mainly for his defensive skills, a pristine Alomar rookie has sold for over $7,000.

Moving beyond rookies, the ultra-rare 1983 Topps Traded Fernando Valenzuela powder blue refractor parallel is arguably the most coveted 1985 card. Only six copies are believed to exist of this incredibly obscure parallel print. In 2017, one mint condition copy achieved a world record price for a vintage baseball card by selling at auction for over $90,000. The extreme rarity and nostalgia surrounding Fernando makes this his most sought-after card issue.

Two other 1985 cards that regularly top $1,000 are the Donruss Ozzie Smith and Topps Don Mattingly traded cards. Known as the best defensive shortstop ever, Smith’s slick fielding made him a fan favorite. His traded card was inserted much less frequently than the base set, giving it a huge scarcity premium. Meanwhile, “Donnie Baseball’s” incredible popularity and talent translated to big values for any special parallels and variations like his traded version. Both cards are icons of the mid-1980s baseball card renaissance.

Rickey Henderson’s Fleer update card also reaches the $1,000 level when pristine. It flaunts his American League MVP and stolen base record season in a memorable photo. Other update and traded versions that perform well are Kirby Puckett, Wade Boggs, and Cal Ripken Jr. Any key players who had great seasons like these have desirable variants that aficionados love to track down.

Moving into the mid-tier value range between $100-$500 are workhorse starters like Roger Clemens, Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, and Rick Sutcliffe. All were established veterans in the mid-80s having strong careers at that point, heightening interest in their cards. Star position players like Andre Dawson, Jack Clark, and Tony Gwynn also ring in within this price bracket depending on condition.

Filling out most complete 1985 sets are the base cards of hall of famers like Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Dave Winfield, and Goose Gossage. These remain popular and recognizable stars that round out collections. Well-centered near mint copies of their base commons can still attract $50-100 each.

The most valuable 1985 baseball cards revolve around star rookies like Griffey Jr., Gooden, Saberhagen, and Alomar who all performed magnificently right away. Super-rare parallel inserts like the Valenzuela powder blue also shatter records. Traded, update, and MVP parallel cards for premier players move the needle as well. Condition remains paramount, but nostalgia ensures the best young stars and familiar veterans from the 1985 set consistently retain collector interest and solid returns on investment compared to typical ‘80s wax.

WHAT 1985 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS ARE VALUABLE

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The 1985 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic releases from the vintage era of the 1980s. While it may not contain household names like the 1952 Mickey Mantle or 1909 Honus Wagner, there are certainly high-value cards collectors seek after from the ’85 set. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the most desirable rookie and star player cards that can fetch a pretty penny for investors and fans of the vintage wax.

One of the most well-known and expensive rookie cards from 1985 Topps is Cardinals sensation Vince Coleman. As a rookie, Coleman stole 110 bases which broke the single-season MLB record. His impressive debut made his rookie card very highly sought after over the years. In near mint condition, his #77 card can sell for over $1,000. Another expensive rookie is Padres outfieder Benito Santiago. He was rookie of the year in 1987 and his flashy defense made him a fan favorite. In gem mint condition, his 1985 Topps rookie card #250 has been known to sell for around $800.

Other notable expensive rookie cards include Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser (#212) who would go on to win the Cy Young award in 1988. High grade Hershiser rookies have sold for $500. Indians slugger Cory Snyder’s rookie card (#169) can fetch $300-400 in top shapes as collectors appreciate his prodigious power. Cardinals pitcher Joe Magrane’s rookie (#238) has value around $200-300 given his success early in his career. Reds third baseman Nick Esasky’s rookie (#166) sees bids around $150 since he was a prolific power hitter in the latter half of the 1980s.

When it comes to star veterans, perhaps no card equals the value of a gem mint condition Ken Griffey Jr. rookie. Though not technically a rookie since he appeared in other sets in 1981 and 1982, his first Topps issue as a Mariner in 1985 (#312) is the most desirable. High grade PSA 10 examples have sold at auction for astronomical prices north of $20,000. Another huge star with a expensive card is Dodgers ace Fernando Valenzuela. The Mexican native and Cy Young winner’s 1985 card (#485) in pristine condition can sell for $800-1000.

Other notable star cards include Reds slugger and 1987 MVP Eric Davis (#414) whose elite cards go for $500. Red Sox ace and Cy Young winner Roger Clemens rookie season in 1985 made his card (#384) valuable at $400 PSA 10. Yankees superstar Don Mattingly’s dominant 1985 season (#609) gives his card a price around $300 gem mint. California Angels star Gary Pettis’ eye-catching performance and defense yields a $250 price tag for his ’85 issue (#624). Braves ace and 1985 NL ERA champ Rick Mahler’s card (#410) sees bids at $200 in top grades.

While it may lack some of the all-time legendary rookie cards of the 1950s, the 1985 Topps set offers collectors and investors some highly coveted cards of not only budding rookie stars, but also veterans who were entering their baseball primes. Keys cards like the Griffey, Coleman, Valenzuela, and others make this set one of the most recognizable from the vintage 1980s era. With the popularity of the vintage movement still going strong, prices for high quality examples of these desirable ’85 issues will likely continue their upward trends.

WHAT 1985 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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The 1985 Topps baseball set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets in the entire brand’s history. With 792 total cards issued, there are several standouts that can fetch serious money in the current market if graded and preserved in top condition. Let’s take a more detailed look at some of the most worthwhile 1985 Topps cards to invest in.

One of the all-time great rookies is card #1, Dwight Gooden. As one of the most hyped prospects ever, his rookie is a must-have for any collector. In a PSA 10 Gem Mint grade, it can sell for over $2,000 due to its extreme scarcity in pristine condition. Another young star was card #349, Ozzie Smith. He would go on to cement his Hall of Fame career and this rookie has value even in lower grades, with a PSA 8 copy selling around $200-300.

The highest valued regular issue card is #630, Nolan Ryan. Known as “The Ryan Express”, he was in his absolute prime in 1985 and this card perfectly captures that. Getting a PSA 10 of it would cost a collector well over $5,000 today. His teammate and fellow legend Johnny Bench also has a great card at #643. Even low-grade examples in the PSA 6-8 range can bring $100+ due to his iconic status.

Two other Hall of Famers with very rare and pricey rookies are #353, Barry Larkin, and #788, Tony Gwynn. A PSA 10 of either would be worth thousands. But it’s not just rookies – veteran stars in the midst of excellent seasons are valuable too. #142, Don Mattingly, presents “The Hit Man” in his award-winning 1984 form. High grades could sell for over $400. #245, Rickey Henderson, during one of his stolen base title years is another $400+ gem.

Other notable expensive regular issues include #190, Dwight Gooden (photo variation), #203, Tom Seaver, #237, Pete Rose, #312, Ozzie Smith (error), #373, Cal Ripken Jr., #615, Andre Dawson, #644, Mike Schmidt, and #725, Fernando Valenzuela. Authenticated autographed rookie cards obviously increase exponentially in value too.

When it comes to the short printed cards, they represent the holy grails for collectors. #6, Jack Clark and #33, Gary Carter are both rare sp variations that could reach four figures in pristine condition. But the true blue chips are the stars on the final checklist cards #790-792. Nolan Ryan (#790), Tom Seaver (#791), and Mike Schmidt (#792) are so difficult to find in a respected grade that common estimates put each at $10,000+ as PSA 10s.

The 1985 Topps baseball set holds a ton of historic and valuable vintage content. Focusing on star rookies and veterans from that season in high grades can lead to strong long term appreciation. Keys like the Dwight Gooden and Nolan Ryan rookies may never be affordable for most, but supportive pieces like the Ozzie Smith, Barry Larkin and Mike Schmidt treasures are realistic ten baggers with patience and selectively picking your spots in the market. For investors or collectors, ’85 Topps is truly a heavyweight boxing champion of a release.

HOW MANY CARDS IN 1985 TOPPS BASEBALL

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The set documents the 1984 Major League Baseball season. It features players, managers, coaches, and team checklists from both the American League and National League. Like most annual Topps baseball sets from the pre-modern era, the 1985 issue focuses primarily on active MLB players from the previous season. It also includes a small number of rookie cards, traded players who were included with their new teams, and retired players receiving tribute cards.

The base card design for 1985 Topps was fairly simple and understated compared to some design themes Topps had experimented with in prior mid-1980s issues. The main image showed a headshot or action photo of the player against a white backdrop. Beneath the photo was the player’s name, team, and position in blue screened text. On the right side was the Topps logo and copyright information, while the left side provided the player’s vital statistics like batting average from the 1984 season. The cards had a blue border surrounding the white front design.

On the back of each card, Topps included a photo of the player in action with their team colors and uniform clearly shown. Career statistics and a brief biographical recap of the player was screened over the action photo. Topps also began experimenting with ads and sponsorship logos on the backs of cards in 1985. For example, the Molson Golden beer logo appeared on many cards that season. The card stock was thicker and of higher quality than some earlier Topps issues which had faced damage problems.

Some notable rookie cards in the 1985 Topps baseball set include Dwight Gooden, Mark McGwire, Ozzie Smith, and Don Mattingly’s second year card. Hall of Famers like Mike Schmidt, George Brett, and Rollie Fingers received tributes in the set as well. The checklist includes future Hall of Famers like Kirby Puckett and Cal Ripken Jr. though they were still early in their careers at that point. The team card designs list both 25-man active rosters and include minor league affiliates as well.

While not as highly sought after or valuable as some other vintage sets from the 1970s or pre-WWII era, the 1985 Topps baseball card set remains popular with collectors today. It provides a snapshot of the MLB in transition from the late 1970s/early 1980s era to the newly emerging steroid and mass media boom of the late 1980s and 1990s. Key rookies like Gooden, McGwire, and others appearing in the set went on to huge careers and iconic performances. The design is also clean and aesthetically pleasing compared to some of the busy, multi-photo layouts Topps used in immediately prior years. Prices for high-grade examples of stars and rookie cards from the 1985 Topps set command respectable values in today’s vibrant collectibles market.

The 1985 Topps baseball card set comprised 792 total cards documenting the 1984 MLB season through individual player and team checklist cards. While not as expensive or coveted as some other vintage sets, it remains popular with collectors due to memorable rookie cards, Hall of Famers included, and its place in the transition period of 1980s baseball culture. The simple yet attractive design also holds up well compared to Topps’ more experimentations of immediately preceding years.

1985 TOPPS COLLECTOR SERIES BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1985 Topps Collector Series featured different foil and photography innovations and is considered one of the more iconic and collectible seasons in the brand’s history. Despite player strikes affecting the 1984 and 1985 MLB seasons, Topps released yet another innovative and visually appealing set that year to satisfy the growing collector base. Let’s take a closer look at what made the 1985 Topps Collector Series so unique and valuable to this day.

Topps had been experimenting with different foil finishes and photography styles throughout the early 1980s to mixed reviews. In 1985 they unveiled two groundbreaking parallel series with radically different looks – the base «75th Anniversary» series and the high-tech «Collector Series» parallel set featuring state-of-the-art printed foil and laser technology. The Collector Series stood out with bold colorful graphics, action shots of players set against brightly colored backgrounds, and most notably the innovative application of printed metallic foil on nearly every card.

Different foil types and colors were used throughout – gold, silver, copper and bronze – depending on the particular player’s team colors. This added an unprecedented level of visual pop and collectibility. Gone were the traditional straight-on headshot photos of past years. In their place were dramatic posed action and candid shots focused more on capturing the athleticism and flair of the game. While the photography pushed creative boundaries, the technical execution of the printed foil was perhaps the Collector Series’ most talked about innovation.

Topps employed newly developed lasered foil stamping techniques that allowed for registration of intricate multi-color foil patterns that perfectly aligned across the front of each 70mm x 90mm card. The optical brilliance and depth the foils added was jaw-dropping to collectors of the time used to more traditional lithographic printing. Behind the scenes, Topps worked closely with technological partners to develop custom machines needed to register and apply the foils with microscopic precision run after run. It was reported over 200 individual precision steps were required for each foil stamped card versus just 25 for a traditionally printed card.

While pushing production capabilities, the added complexity came at a cost. Topps produced the 1985 Collector Series in much lower print runs than the base set, ranging from only a few thousand to 10,000 copies of star players down to just 100 of tremendously rare and valuable ones. This scarcity boosted interest and demand, fueling what is now recognized as the start of the modern sports card collecting boom. The combination of innovative design, technological achievement and much tighter editions transformed the ’85 Collector Series into an iconic set that has both retro appeal and remains a standout for investors today.

When released in 1985, the Collector Series paralleled and overshadowed even Topps’ standard 75th Anniversary issue that year which itself featured unique retro-style engraved player logos and throwback team color styling. While still popular, the base set seemed pale in comparison to the groundbreaking foil cards which had a “Wow factor” still unmatched after years of uninspired 1970’s era designs from the two giants Topps and Bowman.

The release of the Collector Series helped spark renewed national interest in the dormant sports card industry while also establishing foils as a key collectible element going forward. Competitors like Donruss, Fleer and Score soon followed trying to capture some of the magic with their own experimental parallel issues employing different materials like embossed vinyl, rubber and ultra-chrome inks. However, Topps would remain the clear foil innovator of the era and is still recognized today as the premier brand from this creative period.

On the resale market, ’85 Collector Series cards ranging from common players to the most desirable rookie stars can attract values thousands of times greater than their original direct sales prices. Low-numbered examples of the true stars like Gooden, Saberhagen, Clemens, Strawberry and Gwynn regularly sell for $500-5000 raw with rare Gem Mint PSA/BGS graded specimens bringing over $10,000. Complete high-grade sets in slabbed holders are considered some of the crown jewels of the vintage era, valued well into the five-figure range. Even mid-tier stars still carry values of $100-500 today, proof of both the issue’s iconic appeal and overall scarcity compared to the larger base sets of the time.

Beyond its innovations, the ’85 Topps Collector Series also featured a who’s who of future Hall of Famers and some of the most storied rookies in baseball history like Dwight Gooden, Roger Clemens, Bret Saberhagen and Kirby Puckett. Even drug-tainted stars of the era like Darryl Strawberry and Steve Garvey got their own showcase foil cards. And unlike what happened to their careers, the condition and monetary value of these rookie cards have endured and grown tremendously in the decades since their release as icons of not just the ’80s but the entire vintage sports card era.

In the end, through creative design, pushing printing technology limits and triggering renewed collector excitement, the 1985 Topps Baseball Collector Series stands alone as one of the most visually appealing, technically groundbreaking, historically important and valuable sets ever produced. It is in many ways still the standard that parallelinsert sets are judged against today for both innovation and retro nostalgia. The 1985 Collector Series truly was ahead of its time and represented the pinnacle expression of Topps creativity and sports card design at the cusp of the modern era boom. Its enduring popularity and high prices decades later cement its place as perhaps the single most iconic sports card release of the 1980s.

BASEBALL CARDS OF 1985

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Baseball cards were extremely popular in 1985 as the hobby was booming. Kids across America were collecting cards of their favorite players and teams. The big three card companies – Topps, Donruss, and Fleer – were all releasing full sets with the latest stats and photos of Major League Baseball players.

Topps remained the dominant brand and released their standard red, white, and blue design. However, Donruss and Fleer were starting to gain popularity with their glossier photography and innovative designs. Donruss featured action shots on a white background while Fleer had colorful borders around each image. All three companies also produced special subsets highlighting rookie cards, All-Stars, league leaders, and more within the base sets.

Some of the most coveted rookie cards from 1985 included Dwight Gooden, Will Clark, and Barry Larkin. Gooden was coming off an incredible rookie season where he won Rookie of the Year and helped lead the Mets to the World Series. His iconic smiling photo made his Topps rookie one of the most sought after cards of the era. Will Clark’s smooth left-handed swing made him a fan favorite in San Francisco from the start. Fleer was ahead of the other companies by featuring Clark in their set as a rookie. Barry Larkin brought skill and style to shortstop for the Reds and his rookie cards showed why he would go on to a Hall of Fame career.

Trading and speculation were in full force during the mid-1980s card boom. The emergence of the secondary market allowed collectors to buy, sell, and trade cards they no longer wanted in order to complete their sets or acquire new cards. Popular stars like Ryne Sandberg, Wade Boggs, and Roger Clemens saw strong demand for any of their available cards. Minor stars and role players also gained value based on what team they played for. For example, cards of Mets and Cubs players were more desirable than those from the Royals or Pirates due to larger fan bases in key markets.

In addition to the standard baseball cards, specialty products captured collector’s attention. The most popular were annual oddball issues released outside the big three companies. Cal Ripken Jr. graced the cover of the ’85 Sports Eye set while O-Pee-Chee put Bo Jackson on theirs north of the border in Canada. Other unique sets included Stadium Club, Glossy Sendbacks, and Premier League Leaders. These diverse products helped fuel the boom by giving collectors new cards to chase outside the main releases.

Trading card shows also started popping up across the United States, providing a fun social experience for collectors. Vendors, dealers, and collectors would gather in hotel ballrooms or convention centers to buy, sell, and trade with one another. Some of the largest and most famous shows in 1985 were held in Rosemont, Illinois and New York City. Here, collectors could complete sets, acquire rare vintage cards, or find oddballs they had never seen before by browsing hundreds of tables of merchandise.

While the modern baseball card industry has changed dramatically since 1985, that year marked the peak of the first great boom period. Kids were fully immersed in collecting their favorite players on cardboard and the hobby brought communities of fans together. The stars, rookies, oddballs, and speculative frenzy of ’85 created lifelong memories and help shaped baseball card collecting into the billion dollar business it is today. Though fads come and go, the allure of collecting cards from that magical year remains as strong as ever for those who experienced the boom firsthand.

1985 MLB BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1985 MLB baseball season produced some memorable rookie cards and highly sought after veterans. The season was delayed by a players’ strike but ended with the Kansas City Royals defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. This era brought a boom in the popularity of collecting baseball cards and the 1985 Topps set is one of the most iconic of the 1980s.

One of the most notable rookie cards from 1985 was that of Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees. Widely considered one of the greatest first basemen of all time, the 23-year old Mattingly was already proving himself as a superstar, having won the American League batting title and MVP award the previous season. His iconic 1985 Topps card shows him in his classic batting stance and is one of the most desirable and valuable rookie cards ever produced.

Another hugely popular rookie card was that of Roger Clemens, who was just starting to showcase his dominance on the mound for the Boston Red Sox. Clemens would go on to win a record seven Cy Young awards and establish himself as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history. His rookie card captured him in the middle of his powerful windup and remains highly collectible today.

Dwight Gooden, who dazzled in his debut 1984 season with the New York Mets, had his first Topps update card in 1985 following an even more impressive sophomore campaign. Gooden won both the Cy Young award and pitching’s Triple Crown in ’85 and his card showcased why he was already regarded as perhaps the most talented young pitcher in the game.

Veteran cards that stand out from the 1985 Topps set include Rickey Henderson’s action shot depicting his elite base-running skills for the Oakland A’s and Wade Boggs’ classic card posing with the Red Sox. Also highly sought after are Kirby Puckett’s card in a Twins uniform after winning the 1985 AL batting title and Darryl Strawberry’s powerful image launching a home run for the Mets.

The strike interrupted what was shaping up to be another historic season for Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds as he closed in on breaking Ty Cobb’s all-time hits record. His 1985 Topps card is a favorite for collectors anticipating Rose making history later that year. Other coveted veterans include Gary Carter swinging for the Mets, Ozzie Smith backflipping for the Cardinals, and Nolan Ryan’s imposing windup on his Astros card.

The design of the 1985 Topps set featured many innovative elements that collectors appreciated. Among the notable additions were box scores and stats on the back of many cards as well as die-cut images on others. The backgrounds also incorporated colorful team graphics that added visual appeal compared to previous plain designs. Overall it was among the sharpest and most creative sets Topps had produced to that point.

While the MLB season was interrupted that year, baseball card collecting only continued to take off in popularity. Products from rival brand Fleer also thrived with desirable rookie cards of future stars like Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds. The boom amplified interest in vintage cards from prior decades as enthusiasts searched attics and collectibles shops for childhood favorites and new finds to reminisce major leaguers past.

Whether collecting for investment purposes or nostalgia, the 1985 baseball card set remains a core part of the hobby. Iconic rookies like Mattingly, Clemens, and Gooden established themselves as future Hall of Famers while stars in the prime of their careers like Henderson, Boggs, and Ryan thrilled fans on the field. Over 35 years later, these classic cardboard images still invoke memories of summer afternoons at the ballpark and continue to bring collectors of all ages joy.

1985 TOPPS JUMBO BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1985 Topps Jumbo baseball card set marked a radical departure from Topps’ standard-sized releases of the previous decades. Containing 36 cards and issued as a high-end premium product, the ’85 Jumbos featured dramatically oversized 7″ x 10″ photographs on thick, glossy card stock. Due to their large scale and limited print run, these cards have become highly coveted by hobbyists and command substantial prices in the secondary market.

Topps had previously experimented with larger-sized cards for special sets like 1969 Post cards and 1981 Traded issues, but the 1985 Jumbos were the company’s most ambitious upscaling effort to date. The colossal photograph dimensions allowed for richer card art and finer details than ever before. Each card showcased a single player in crisp, close-up portrait style against a solid-colored backdrop. Uniform numbers, team logos, and basic stats were kept to a bare minimum below the image.

Beyond their exaggerated physical form, another distinguishing quality of 1985 Topps Jumbos was the photographic content. Unlike standard 1985 Topps cards which largely rehashed images from the previous season, the Jumbos debuted never-before-seen portraits freshly shot on slide film specifically for this product. Many cards captured players in unique batting, throwing, or fielding stances not typically seen on baseball cards. The raw, hi-res quality of the slides resulted in some of the most photo-realistic player likenesses ever printed by Topps at that point.

Aside from the headline stars of the day like Wade Boggs, Dwight Gooden, and Mike Schmidt, the photographic subjects of 1985 Topps Jumbos had another key attribute in common—youth. Over half of the players featured were age 25 or younger when pictured, highlighting many of baseball’s rising talents on the cusp of stardom like Darryl Strawberry, Roger Clemens, and Ozzie Smith. With hindsight, the set serves as a who’s who of future Hall of Famers and all-time greats at the beginning of their careers. For collectors, it presents a unique window into the fresh faces that would come to define the late 1980s game.

The appeal of the 1985 Topps Jumbos extended beyond just the imagery. As a limited premium product, these cards were scarce commodities upon release. Their MSRP of $1.25 a piece (over $3 in today’s dollars) placed them well above the cost of a typical wax pack from the 1980s. Between the high individual price and low print count in the thousands per card, very few complete 1985 Jumbo sets survived intact beyond the first years after issue. Scarcity bred desirability for collectors, fueling strong demand in the growing vintage baseball card market.

Today, specimens of 1985 Topps Jumbos in pristine Near Mint-Mint condition regularly pull five-figure prices at auction. Rarer autographed or game-used card variants can fetch tens of thousands. Even well-centered common players who were not future Hall of Famers still trade hands for hundreds due to the iconic set’s enduring popularity. The combination of oversized artistry, raw rookie talent, and low surviving population has cemented 1985 Topps Jumbos as one of the most coveted and valuable complete vintage sets among serious collectors. Their radical reimagining of card dimensions and photographic style pushed hobby standards to new heights and left an indelible mark on the industry. For both aficionados of the era and students of trading card history alike, 1985 Topps Jumbos remain a crowning achievement.

NOLAN RYAN BASEBALL CARDS 1985

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Nolan Ryan established himself as one of baseball’s fiercest competitors during his Major League Baseball career from 1966 to 1993. His years pitching for the Houston Astros from 1980 to 1988 were some of his most prolific and memorable. In 1985, Ryan dominated on the mound at age 38 while also achieving several major career milestones. As a result, his baseball cards from 1985 are highly coveted by collectors today.

1985 was Ryan’s 19th season in the big leagues and his sixth with the Astros. He was already considered a legend for his blazing fastball and record-setting strikeouts. However, 1985 would prove to be one of Ryan’s most impressive seasons statistically. He made 35 starts, completing 8 of them, and pitched a league-leading 276 innings. Ryan’s earned run average was an excellent 2.68 and he allowed just 206 hits over the course of the year.

Most impressively, Ryan struck out 270 batters in 1985, easily leading the National League and surpassing his previous single-season record of 283 Ks set in 1981. This new mark of 270 strikeouts stood as a new MLB single-season record. Ryan became just the second pitcher in MLB history to reach the 4,000 career strikeout plateau, further cementing his status as one of the greatest strikeout pitchers of all time.

Ryan’s dominant performance and career milestones in 1985 made his baseball cards from that season some of the most noteworthy and desirable in the hobby. Some of the top Ryan cards from 1985 include:

1985 Topps Nolan Ryan (#138): Ryan’s main base card from the flagship Topps set. Featured an action photo of Ryan mid-pitch. This is one of the most iconic Ryan cards and a key piece for any collection. Graded mint condition examples can fetch $100+ today.

1985 Donruss Nolan Ryan (#110): Another prominent base card, this time from the competing Donruss set. Similar action pose to the Topps issue. Still widely available but earns $10-15 depending on condition.

1985 Fleer Nolan Ryan (#316): The third major base card release. Ryan is depicted glaring intensely off the card’s surface. Near the $10-15 range like his Donruss issue.

1985 Topps Traded Nolan Ryan (#T60): Part of Topps’ special traded set issue. Showed Ryan readying his windup. More scarce than the base cards and can earn $25-30 or more graded.

1985 O-Pee-Chee Nolan Ryan (#138): Canadian variation of the Topps base card. Slightly thicker stock and French/English writing make it a true variation. Still affordable at $5-10 but intriguing for collectors.

1985 Sportflics Top Strikeout Kings Nolan Ryan insert: Commemorated Ryan breaking the all-time single season K record. Bright red design. Can fetch $50-75 in high grade due to the subject matter marking a huge career moment.

No player statistics or accolades in 1985 cemented Ryan’s cards from that year as truly iconic in the hobby. His record-setting season performances and milestones made him one of the most notable players featured that year. 35 years later, 1985 Nolan Ryan cards remain some of the most recognizable and sought-after issues for Astros, Ryan and baseball card collectors everywhere due to everything Ryan accomplished during that amazing campaign. Whether seeking base cards or valuable insert variations, 1985 remains the definitive year for collectors pursuing one of the most legendary pitchers in MLB history.