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1991 DONRUSS BASEBALL CARDS HIGHLIGHTS

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The 1991 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most iconic releases of the early 1990s. While it didn’t feature any rookie cards of future Hall of Famers, the 1991 Donruss set provided baseball card collectors with a variety of exciting narratives and highlight moments captured on card.

Perhaps one of the biggest storylines featured in the 1991 Donruss set was Nolan Ryan’s pursuit of Cy Young’s all-time strikeout record. Ryan entered the 1991 season needing just 49 strikeouts to pass Cy Young and alone hold the record for most strikeouts in a career. Donruss commemorated Ryan’s chase for the record with its main “Turn Back the Clock” refractors, featuring a retro Ryan pose harkening back to his days with the California Angels. While he suffered some injuries in 1991 and fell short of the record then, Ryan would achieve the milestone the following season. The 1991 Donruss cards honoring his pursuit of Cy Young remain some of the most popular in the set today.

Another notable highlight captured in 1991 Donruss was Roberto Alomar’s breakout rookie season with the San Diego Padres. Alomar won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1990 and Donruss produced an “Award Winner” parallel card to commemorate the accolade. It was Alomar’s offensive stats and all-around defensive skills in 1991 that truly announced his arrival as a future Hall of Famer. The smooth-fielding second baseman hit .270 with 15 home runs and 75 RBI while stealing a career-high 38 bases. Alomar’s 1991 Donruss main set card showcases his brilliance in the field and marks the start of what became a surefire Cooperstown career.

In addition to storylines, 1991 Donruss also featured a variety of innovative parallel and insert sets that added to the excitement of the release. The base set included various “turn back the clock” parallel cards featuring retro poses of star players like Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., and Ozzie Smith. Other insert sets within 1991 Donruss included “Diamond Kings” highlighting accomplished veterans, “Donruss Stars” for up-and-coming young talents, and “League Leaders” recognizing the top performers from the previous season.

Iconic players like Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken Jr., Kirby Puckett, and Wade Boggs anchored the base set with some of their more memorable card designs as well. But lesser known players had storylines captured too, such as Bip Roberts winning the National League batting title with a .344 average for the 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates or Scott Fletcher enjoying a career year with a .306 batting average as the leadoff man for the 1991 Chicago White Sox.

The oddball parallels within 1991 Donruss created a burst of excitement among collectors too. Short print versions were inserted at far lower ratios, including the elusive “Turn Back the Clock” refractors only one per case. Error cards like the fabled “mullet card” of Mark Gardner mistakenly featuring another player’s photo also added notoriety. The prevalence of oddballs created a sense of mystery in the 1991 Donruss releases, keeping the hobby engaging for collectors.

While it may not have had any true rookie cup superstars, the 1991 Donruss set thrived on highlighting memorable moments and storylines from across Major League Baseball. From Nolan Ryan’s chase of Cy Young to breakout performances like Roberto Alomar’s, Donruss chronicled the action from an exciting season. Combined with fun parallel variants and insert sets at a peak time for the baseball card industry, 1991 Donruss endures as one of the most beloved releases from the early 1990s hobby boom. The characters and narratives captured in the cardboard that year created lifelong attachments for collectors that still resonate today.

1986 DONRUSS HIGHLIGHTS BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The 1986 Donruss Highlights baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the 1980s. Issued at the height of the modern collecting boom, the set is remembered fondly by collectors who still chase the biggest stars and rookie cards from that release over 35 years ago.

Donruss Highlights was notable for being one of the first major baseball card sets released each year. It came out very early in the year, allowing collectors to get their hands on the new cards quickly. The set size was also modest at 132 cards, with each player depicted in an action photo with stats on the back. The design was clean and focused more on the image than flashy graphics.

Some key things that add value and collector interest to certain 1986 Donruss Highlights cards include star players, rookie cards of future Hall of Famers, unique parallels and printing errors, and the iconic design that transports collectors back to their childhood. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout cards from the set in terms of rarity, condition, and monetary value:

Ryne Sandberg (#68): Widely considered the crown jewel of the 1986 set, Sandberg’s mainstream rookie card is one of the most iconic and valuable vintage cards on the market today. In PSA Gem Mint 10 condition, it has sold for over $15,000. Even well-centered Near Mint copies can fetch $1,000+.

Roger Clemens (#99): As one of the greatest pitchers of all time, Clemens’ intimidating action photo and stats on the back make this one of the top stars from the set. High-grade PSA 10 copies sell for $500-700, with NM-MT 8s in the $100-200 range.

Mark McGwire (#60): McGwire’s rookie card marks the beginning of his legendary home run-hitting career. PSA 10s have sold for over $4,000, with most graded copies in the $200-500 range depending on condition.

Barry Larkin (#56): Larkin’s smooth-swinging action pose is considered one of the best card images of the ’80s. As a future Hall of Famer and Cincinnati Reds star, high-grade PSA 10 examples are worth $1,000+.

Dwight Gooden (#64): Known simply as “Dr. K”, Gooden burst onto the scene as one of the most über-talented young pitchers ever. Near flawless PSA 10 rookie cards command $1,500-2,000. PSA 9 copies sell for $300-500 or more.

Wally Joyner (#44): While not a true “rookie” since Joyner had previous MLB experience, his card marks his first with the California Angels where he enjoyed his biggest success. Near-gem PSA 9s have sold for $400.

Ozzie Smith (#69): As arguably the greatest defensive shortstop ever, Smith’s iconic backflips and wizardry in the field make this one of the more iconic cards in the set. Higher grade PSA 10s have hit $1,000 at auction.

Benny Distefano Error (#32): This is one of the rarest error cards from the set, showing Staten Island Yankees player Benny Distefano’s name misspelled as “Benney”. Only a handful are known to exist in any condition. Well-centered examples have sold for over $3,000.

Beyond the big stars and key rookies, there are also other 1986 Donruss Highlights cards that add collector interest. Any card showing a future Hall of Famer in action is worth a premium, especially in top grades. Derek Jeter, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and Ken Griffey Jr. all have their first Donruss cards in this set.

Parallel and inverted printing variations also exist, like the silver signature parallel signed by the player. With a population of only 25 copies known, high-grade examples sell for $1,000+. Inverted images, where the front and back are reversed, command over $500 for key players.

In the end, the 1986 Donruss Highlights set remains a classic of the era that transports collectors back to their childhood. Prices have consistently risen over the years thanks to increased demand. Even commons in high grades can find buyers. For collectors chasing vintage stars or filling holes from their childhood collections, this iconic set holds a special place. Top cards like Sandberg, McGwire, and Clemens routinely outperform their peers when pristine copies come on the market. Overall, 1986 Donruss Highlights stands as one of the most financially sound vintage basketball investments for collectors.

DONRUSS BASEBALL PUZZLE AND CARDS 1986 HIGHLIGHTS

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The 1986 Donruss baseball card set is considered by many collectors and fans to be one of the most unique and memorable issues in the history of the hobby. Not only did it feature the standard player cards and team sets that collectors had come to expect from Donruss, but it also introduced the innovative concept of the puzzle cards – multi-part cards that could be assembled to form larger images. This gimmick caught on in a big way and helped take the baseball card market by storm in the mid-1980s.

The 1986 Donruss set totaled 792 cards and had the usual assortment of current major leaguers, prospects, managers, and umpires. Some of the biggest star players featured included Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Rickey Henderson, Ozzie Smith, and Mike Schmidt. Rosters included both American and National League teams. The design featured a white border around each photo with the team logo in the bottom left corner. Statistics, career highlights, and fun facts were printed on the reverse.

What truly set the 1986 Donruss issue apart, though, were the puzzle cards. There were 24 total puzzle cards inserted randomly in factory-sealed wax packs. When assembled correctly, they formed four larger 6-piece panoramic images – a baseball field, batter, pitcher on the mound, and catcher behind the plate. Each puzzle card contained a small piece of the overall picture, with slotted edges to ensure proper alignment when joined together.

The puzzle cards were an immediate hit with collectors. Kids enjoyed the challenge of finding all the pieces and putting them together like a jigsaw puzzle. It added an element of mystery, strategy, and fun to the traditional baseball card opening and trading experience. The 3-D scenes they created when fully assembled were also quite impressive for the time. Within a few years, nearly every major card manufacturer copied some form of the puzzle card concept in their own sets.

Some key highlights and notable puzzle cards from the 1986 Donruss issue include:

The most sought-after and valuable puzzle card was #1, which contained the head/shoulders of the batter on the “batter” puzzle. Due to its iconic imagery and being the first card in the set, examples still fetch hundreds of dollars today in top condition.

Other expensive puzzle cards include #724 (batter’s back leg), #492 (catcher’s glove/arm), and #306 (pitcher’s front leg). These pieces are essential to completing their respective puzzles.

Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz were included as puzzle pieces #14, #374, and #707.

Star players like Clemens, Boggs, and Schmidt received puzzle cards showcasing them – #84, #222, and #648 respectively.

The puzzle cards helped elevate otherwise ordinary player cards into key pieces. For example, journeyman pitcher Dave LaPoint’s card #640 became highly sought to finish the pitcher puzzle.

The puzzles were a challenge to complete, as the 24 total pieces were inserted randomly. It took dedication and trading to hunt down all the parts.

When fully assembled, the panoramic scenes popped off the card in amazing detail. Kids and collectors were mesmerized by the realistic 3D imagery.

The puzzle cards were a major success and became a hugely popular annual tradition for Donruss baseball through the late 1980s and early 90s.

In the years since, the 1986 Donruss puzzle cards have taken on an iconic status. They represented the evolution of baseball cards from mere stickers into an actual collecting hobby. The puzzles sparked creativity, challenged the mind, and brought the cardboard to life in new dimensions. Today, high-grade puzzle sets still command big money from enthusiasts. The 1986 Donruss issue left an indelible mark on the industry and remains one of the most innovative – and fun – releases in the storied history of the baseball card pastime.

STL CARDS BASEBALL GAME HIGHLIGHTS TODAY

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The St. Louis Cardinals hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium today in the second game of a three-game weekend series. After losing a close 4-3 game yesterday, the Cardinals were looking to even the series at one game apiece. Here are the top highlights and performances from today’s back-and-forth 9-7 Cardinals victory:

The Cardinals offense got off to a hot start, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Dylan Carlson began the game with a double off the left field wall. After Paul Goldschmidt drew a walk, Nolan Arenado delivered a two-run double down the right field line to put St. Louis up early. Arenado would then score on a Tyler O’Neill single to make it 3-0 Cardinals.

Pittsburgh got one run back in the top of the second when Bryan Reynolds hit his 11th home run of the season to cut the St. Louis lead to 3-1. The Cardinals responded with two more runs in the bottom half of the inning to regain their four-run advantage. Goldschmidt led off with a single and Arenado followed with a walk. After a double steal, O’Neill brought both runners home with a double to left-center field to make it 5-1 St. Louis.

Pirates starter Mitch Keller was pulled after just 1 2/3 innings having allowed five runs on five hits and three walks. Keller has struggled mightily this season, now carrying an ERA above 8.00 in nine starts. Reliever Duane Underwood Jr. was able to settle things down over the next 2 1/3 innings, limiting the damage.

In the top of the fifth, the Pirates offense woke up with a four-run inning to climb back into the game. Back-to-back singles by Michael Chavis and Greg Allen started the rally. An RBI single by rookie Oneil Cruz plated Chavis to cut the deficit to 5-2. Kevin Newman then delivered a two-run double into the left field corner to make it a 5-4 ballgame. Newman would later score on a sac fly by Josh VanMeter to pull Pittsburgh within one at 5-4.

St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright had cruised through the first four innings but ran into trouble in the fifth. After the four-run outburst, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol came out to settle his veteran righty down. Wainwright was able to get out of the inning with no further damage, leaving having allowed four runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings of work.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Cardinals retook control with a big inning of their own. Goldschmidt led off with a towering solo home run to left field, his ninth of the year, to push the St. Louis lead back to 6-4. Two batters later, Arenado crushed a pitch from reliever Yerry De Los Santos over the fence in right-center for a two-run shot, his eighth homer, to make it 8-4 Cardinals.

The Cardinals bullpen took over from there, with Genesis Cabrera, Giovanny Gallegos and Ryan Helsley combining for 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Gallegos worked around a two-out single in the eighth to keep Pittsburgh off the board. Helsley tossed a perfect ninth, striking out two, to pick up his third save on the year.

While the bullpen shut Pittsburgh down over the final four innings, the Pirates did make things interesting late. In the top of the ninth, a one-out RBI double by Allen and run-scoring single by Cruz off Helsley brought the tying run to the plate. However, Helsley was able to induce a 6-4-3 double play from Ben Gamel to end the game, preserving the 9-7 Cardinals victory.

Offensively, Goldschmidt, Arenado and O’Neill led the way for St. Louis. Goldschmidt finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI, including his ninth home run. Arenado went 2-for-4 with four RBI and his eighth homer of 2022. O’Neill chipped in three hits and drove in two critical runs.

With the win, the Cardinals improved to 25-21 on the season and moved within 1.5 games of first place Milwaukee in the NL Central. St. Louis will look to take the rubber match of the series tomorrow afternoon at 1:15 pm against the Pirates and ace Jose Quintana.

This back-and-forth slugfest was an exciting one for Cardinals fans. Timely hitting, key homers by the stars, and another strong late-inning performance by the bullpen led St. Louis to an important victory. The Cardinals will aim to carry this momentum into the series finale tomorrow.

1987 HIGHLIGHTS BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most well-known and highly collectible issues from the 1980s. While it did not feature any true rookie cards of future Hall of Famers, the ’87 Topps set provides a nostalgic look back at some of baseball’s biggest stars from that era. Cards from this set hold value for collectors decades later due to the memorable players featured and the popular design Topps used that year.

One of the defining aspects of the 1987 Topps cards is the ‘highlights’ format they used for the player photography. Rather than the standard headshots collectors had become used to, Topps opted to make the focal point of each card an action photo highlighting a signature moment or play from that player’s career. This gave the ’87 issue a memorable visual style that resonated with collectors. While a controversial change at the time, the highlights photos are now widely considered one of the best design aspects of the entire set.

Some specific ’87 Topps highlights cards that routinely fetch strong prices in the current vintage baseball market include standout rookie cards like Mark McGwire’s (#391) and Lenny Dykstra’s (#422). McGwire’s rookie in particular can sell for over $100 in top-graded Gem Mint condition due to his future Hall of Fame career and his connection to the late ’90s home run era. Dykstra’s rookie also holds value as he went on to have an impressive career as a hitter and center fielder known by his nickname “Nails.”

Other high-value highlights cards from the ’87 Topps issue focus on the biggest stars of the day like Don Mattingly (#113), Wade Boggs (#153), and Roger Clemens (#383). Mattingly’s card often exceeds $50 due to his status as one of the 1980s’ premier hitters for the Yankees. Boggs, known for his stellar batting average and base-running prowess, routinely sees his ’87 Topps card trade hands north of $30. And Clemens, a dominant pitcher who won multiple Cy Young awards in the 1980s and beyond, commands $40-plus for his ’87 highlights issue card.

Condition is crucial when determining the value of any vintage card, and that is certainly true for ’87 Topps cards. Higher graded examples like Mint 9 or Gem Mint 10 can often be exponentially more valuable than lower graded copies in Fair or Good condition. Due to the huge print run of the set during the height of the baseball card boom era, lower grade ’87 Topps cards are still quite attainable and affordable for most collectors if they are seeking certain favorite players from that time period. Focusing on acquiring and holding well-centered, eye-appealing examples can help protect an investment even at lower condition grades like Very Good or Excellent.

Rookie highlights cards of players like Ron Gant (#537), Gregg Jefferies (#447), and Ken Griffey Jr. (#440) also hold collector interest, albeit with much more modest values compared to the stars of the era. Still, pristine MT10 examples of these mid-80s rookie debuts can often sell in the $20-40 range depending on the player’s career achievements. And on the lower end, common veterans from the set provide an affordable doorway into vintage collecting, with cards of the likes of Rick Sutcliffe (#169) and Lee Smith (#504) readily available in about $1-3 range across most conditions.

While not the most valuable set from the junk wax era that followed, the 1987 Topps baseball issues remain an iconic look back at the sport during that period. Modern collectors appreciate the nostalgia of the memorable action photography style coupled with the excitement of sporting favorite players from their childhoods. Top rookie talents like McGwire and Dykstra anchor the high-value ends of the price spectrum, while many other star-studded highlights cards from Mattingly, Boggs, and Clemens fill out the steady mid-range valuations. Condition sensitive but still accessible across all levels, the ’87 Topps baseballs cards retain an authentic appeal that speaks to both vintage collectors and fans of 1980s baseball today.

MOST VALUABLE 1986 DONRUSS HIGHLIGHTS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1986 Donruss Highlights baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable issues from the junk wax era of the late 1980s. While the glut of mass produced cards from that time period has led to most common examples being worth just a dollar or two, there are still some real gems that can fetch huge prices due to the player featured or particular variations. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable 1986 Donruss Highlights cards that collectors seek out.

One of the true blue chip ’86 Donruss rookies is the Ken Griffey Jr. card. Even in low grades, Griffey’s rookie consistently sells for well over $100 due to his iconic status as one of the great players of his generation. High grade specimens with a PSA or BGS grade of 9+ can reach upwards of $1000-2000 or more. The Griffey rookie is always in high demand and will likely retain its value for years to come as one of the definitive pieces for any collection.

Randy Johnson’s rookie card is another hugely coveted ’86 Donruss issue despite Johnson having dual rookie options between Donruss and Fleer that year. Low end PSA 8 examples can go for $200-500, with higher grades pushing over $1000. Johnson’s fierce dominance as a left-handed flamethrower and eventual Hall of Fame induction makes his rookies logical targets for advanced collectors.

While not a true rookie, collectors also greatly desire the Larry Walker card from 1986 Donruss Highlights. Walker had come up the previous year but ’86 Donruss featured one of his nicer early career images. High grade PSA 10 examples have topped $500-1000 at auction due to Walker’s underrated offensive prowess and Gold Glove caliber defense. His career .965 OPS makes him a very underrated player historically.

Those looking to really splash out big money have the option of pursuing the fabled Ken Griffey Sr. 1981 Fleer error card that was mistakenly placed into 1986 Donruss packs instead. Only a handful are known to exist and they represent one of the true crown jewels for error card enthusiasts. Prices start well into the thousands even for low grade copies and top PSA specimens have reached astronomical sums like $100K plus at auction.

Two other fairly high end ’86 Donruss cards that regularly sell in the $200-500 range are the Don Mattingly and Roger Clemens issues. Both went on to have Hall of Fame careers and remain popular players to this day. Clemens’ reputation has taken a hit due to PED controversies late in his career but talented pitchers will always find buyers. Mattingly endured numerous injuries but is still revered by Yankees devotees for his grit and clutch hitting prowess prior to his early retirement.

For those seeking specific variations, there are also opportunities with parallel and differently cut 1986 Donruss Highlights cards. The rare black border parallel versions of the main rookie stars Griffey, Johnson, and Walker can surpass $1000 depending on condition factors. Blockbuster and horizontally wider “tallboy” cutting errors that show portions of additional cards are also highly desired by more advanced collectors looking for true oddball material. These outliers from the standard release format tend to fetch high auction prices from passionate variation hunters.

When it comes to chasing true unopened 1986 Donruss wax, the picture is much different than with sealed cards from the overproduced 1990s. Boxes in average condition still command $200-500 with prices heavily influenced by overall appeal and state of packaging. Factory sealed cases can easily sell for well over $1000 due to rarity compared to the produced numbers of similar era sets like 1987 Topps, 1988 Donruss, etc. The thrill of potentially containing a phenomenal Griffey or Johnson rookie still excites the imagination of people who enjoy the nostalgia of the junk wax era.

While the 1986 Donruss Highlights set as a whole lacks huge monetary value for the average common cards, there are still numerous individual standouts that maintain, and in some cases increase in desirability and price over time. Names like Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, and Larry Walker leading the way as true rookie powerhouse cards that any collection would benefit from owning. Add in outliers like errors or parallels and you have the potential for extreme high end value as well. The 1986 Donruss brand endures as one of the most iconic of the period.

1986 HIGHLIGHTS BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The 1986 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable sets from the 1980s. While it may not boast the star power of other classic sets like 1975 or 1976, the ’86 Topps set holds iconic rookie cards and hall of famers that continue to excite collectors over 30 years later. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top highlights from the 1986 checklist and what makes certain cards from this set so desirable and valuables among vintage baseball card investors.

The biggest star and most coveted card from the ’86 Topps set is without question the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the best all-around players of his generation, Griffey was a rookie sensation for the Seattle Mariners in 1986 after being drafted number one overall the previous year. His smooth left-handed swing and gold glove caliber defense made him an instant fan favorite. The Griffey Jr. rookie took the hobby by storm and his iconic smiling face on the card only added to its appeal. In pristine mint condition, the Griffey Jr. rookie has sold for well over $10,000 and remains one of the most expensive cards from the entire 1980s era.

Another very notable and valuable rookie card from 1986 Topps is Roger Clemens’ debut. After winning the AL Cy Young award in 1986 with a 24-4 record and league leading 2.48 ERA for the Boston Red Sox, Clemens established himself as one of baseball’s best right-handed pitchers. He would go on to win 6 more Cy Youngs and pitch until he was 43 years old. The Clemens rookie is highly sought after by both Red Sox and card collectors in general. High grade copies in the BGS or PSA 9-10 range can easily exceed $1,000.

While rookie cards of future all-time greats like Griffey and Clemens lead the desirability charts, the ’86 Topps set also features iconic cards of already established Hall of Famers. Perhaps the most well known is the Kirby Puckett card found at the #454 position in the set. Puckett was in his baseball prime with the Twins in 1986 and would help lead them to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991. His fun loving persona and will to win made him a fan favorite as well. High grade Puckett’s from ’86 have broken the $4,000 mark before.

Another star player highlighted in the 1986 checklist is Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees. Having won the AL batting title in ’84 and ’85, Mattingly cemented himself as one of the game’s best all around hitters throughout the 1980s. His smooth lefty swing and Gold Glove skills at first base made him a perennial MVP candidate. The Mattingly is plentiful in the ’86 Topps set but high grades in the PSA/BGS 8-10 range can still fetch $300-500 due to his Yankee popularity and Hall of Fame resume.

Rickey Henderson’s first Topps card can be found at the #450 position. While not technically a rookie card since Henderson had played parts of ’79 and ’80 seasons prior, his ’86 is considered his true rookie by most. Henderson would go on to break Lou Brock’s stolen base record and prove to be the greatest leadoff hitter and base stealer in MLB history. In pristine condition, the Rickey Henderson has eclipsed the $1,000 mark before and remains extremely desirable for Oakland A’s and card collectors alike.

The 1986 Topps set also features dozens of other stars throughout, including future Hall of Famers like Wade Boggs, Dennis Eckersley, and Ozzie Smith. Overall set completion has become quite challenging over the decades since the original production run. In higher numbered population reports like PSA 10, there are often only 1 or no examples known to exist of certain cards. This scarcity has only strengthened demand over the long term for many key ’86s.

While the rookie cards and Hall of Famers certainly drive the highest prices, savvy vintage collectors also appreciate the ’86 Topps set forcontaining many integral players from championship teams of the era. This includes pitchers like Rick Rhoden and Bob Tewksbury of the ’85 Kansas City Royals and players like Steve Sax, Pedro Guerrero, and Mike Scioscia who were part of the ’88 World Series winning L.A. Dodgers. High grades of stars tied to historic championship rosters can often fetch several hundred dollars as well.

The 1986 Topps baseball card set maintains an elite status among collectors and investors due to its perfect storm of all-time great rookie debuts, established superstars, and champions from the 1980s. While mass produced sets from the early 90s onward saw explosive increases, the ’86 Topps set had a fairly conservative original print run by today’s standards. This has kept supply low on many key cards like the Griffey and Clemens rookies even after 35+ years. As long as the players featured continue to be revered and new collectors become interested in the vintage era, demand for high quality ’86s is unlikely to disappear. The combination of iconic stars, championships, and scarcity will ensure the 1986 Topps set remains one of the most investment-worthy sets from the entire 1980s era for years to come.

1986 DONRUSS HIGHLIGHTS BASEBALL CARDS MOST VALUABLE

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The 1986 Donruss Highlights baseball card set is considered one of the classic and most valuable sets from the golden era of the 1980s. Issued in packs, factory sets, and wax boxes, the 1986 Highlights set featured an iconic design that still resonates with collectors today. While not the flashiest or most innovative set of its time, the 1986 Highlights cards have stood the test of time and produce some real fan favorites and high-value gems for collectors.

One of the main draws of the 1986 Donruss Highlights set are the rookie cards it featured. Chief among these is Chicago Cubs phenom Andre Dawson, who won the NL MVP award that season in his first full year in the majors. Dawson’s iconic rookie card, with its bright orange border and action shot of him batting, is among the most desirable and valuable rookie cards from the entire decade. Graded mint condition 1986 Donruss Highlights Andre Dawson rookies can fetch thousands of dollars today. Another key rookie is San Diego Padres slugger Tony Gwynn, who posted a .351 batting average as a rookie and went on to a Hall of Fame career. High-grade Gwynn rookies also demand premium prices.

Beyond the rookies, the 1986 Highlights set produces some truly iconic cards of the era’s biggest stars, many of which retain huge collector demand and value today. Chief among these is the card of New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden, who was coming off a legendary 1985 season where he won both the Cy Young award and Rookie of the Year honor. Gooden’s iconic card, with him windmilling a pitch, is one of the most recognizable and desired cards in the entire decade. Mint condition 1986 Gooden Highlights are considered the jewels of any collection from the set and can sell for well over $1000 graded and preserved in the popular Beckett Grading Services holders.

Another true all-time classic from the 1986 Highlights set is the card of Boston Red Sox legend Wade Boggs. Known as the “Hitting Machine,” Boggs posted a career-high .357 batting average in 1986 while winning his third straight batting title. His card, with him smoothly swinging the bat, perfectly captured his hitting prowess and popularity at the time. Like Gooden, a pristine Boggs 1986 Highlights in a high-grade holder can demand four figures today given his hitting accomplishments and popularity among collectors. Boggs, Gooden, and Dawson are often cited as the true “big three” when discussing the most desirable cards and highest values from the entire 1986 Donruss Highlights checklist.

Beyond the rookie stars and superstar veterans, the 1986 Highlights set had plenty of other valuable nostalgia hits as well. Cards of sluggers like Darryl Strawberry, Ozzie Smith, and Dave Parker remain popular for their iconic players and era-defining imagery. But arguably the biggest fan favorite from the set, in terms of collectibility and price tag, is the card of Houston Astros legend Nolan Ryan. Known as “The Ryan Express” for his blazing fastball, Ryan’s Highlights card depicted him delivering a heater with his follow through. High-end PSA or BGS graded examples of the iconic Nolan Ryan card regularly change hands for well over $1000 given his status as a true legend and record holder.

While rookies, stars, and Hall of Famers drive the real high-dollar valuations, savvy collectors also know to look out for less obvious gems from the 1986 Donruss Highlights set as well. Cards of pitching studs like Fernando Valenzuela, Mike Scott, and Bob Welch, who all had great seasons, retain solid demand. Fan favorites like Tim Raines, Will Clark, and Alan Trammell are also sought after. And positional key cards like catcher Gary Carter or third basemen Wade Boggs and Mike Schmidt will draw notice. Even more obscure players like Oddibe McDowell, Ted Power, or Kal Daniels have their place as tough-to-find chase cards.

In the overall landscape of 1980s baseball cards, the 1986 Donruss Highlights set is considered both a classic of design and producer of true heavyweight hitters in terms of value. While not quite as flashy or innovative as some other contemporary sets, its memorable photography-driven imagery and star power rookie class ensures the 1986 Highlights cards remain collector favorites decades later. Items like the prized Andre Dawson, Tony Gwynn, Dwight Gooden, and Nolan Ryan pieces help cement this Donruss release as producer of some true untouchable vintage treasures for enthusiasts of the era. whether being collected or investment graded, the 1986 Highlights cards always have a place in collections and maintain relevance as icons representing the exciting state of the hobby during baseball’s late 1980s renaissance period.

The 1986 Donruss Highlights baseball card set stakes its claim among the true heavyweight hitters and most collectible releases from the golden era of the 1980s thanks to an iconic design, memorable stars, and production of rookie gems like Andre Dawson. Headliners like Gooden, Boggs, and Ryan lead the way as true untouchable treasures that can reach four figures or more in pristine condition. But savvy collectors also know to seek out other players who had great ’86 seasons as overlooked values. Overall the 1986 Highlights cards stand as both nostalgic fan favorites and proven producers of real high-value gems decades later.