The 1986 Topps baseball card set was a product of Topps released during the summer of 1986. It is widely considered one of the most iconic and valuable baseball card sets of all time due to several standout rookie cards and key storylines from that MLB season. Let’s take a deeper look at what made the 1986 Topps set so special.
The 1986 season would see a new crop of talented rookies make their MLB debuts, headlined by sluggers Mark McGwire and Will Clark. Both players were ready to make an immediate impact at only 22 years old and would earn Topps rookie cards in high demand for collectors. McGwire’s rookie card would become one of the most valuable baseball cards ever issued as his career took off and he went on to break the single season home run record.
Will Clark’s rookie card in the 1986 set also achieved icon status. Drafted #2 overall in the 1985 amateur draft by the San Francisco Giants, Clark burst onto the big league scene by winning the Rookie of the Year award and finishing third in MVP voting in 1986. His smooth left-handed swing and RBI production made him a fan favorite. With over 500 career home runs combined, the McGwire and Clark rookie cards are undoubtedly the headliners of the entire 1986 Topps set.
Another impactful rookie in 1986 was multi-talented outfielder Barry Bonds, who had one of the best rookie seasons in history with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bonds slashed .265/.346/.440 with 24 home runs and 76 RBI in his age 21 season. His Topps rookie card was a sign of things to come as Barry developed into arguably the greatest hitter of all time. Other notable rookies in the ’86 set included Lance Parrish, Calvin Schiraldi, and Tim Wallach among many others.
The 1986 season was also memorable for another storyline – the emergence of the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox as unexpected contenders. Led by young phenoms like Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, and Gary Carter, the Mets won 108 games to take the NL East division title. Their dominance was reflected on many key cards throughout the Topps ’86 set. Meanwhile, the “BoSox” captured lightning in a bottle by winning the AL East led by pitchers Roger Clemens and Bruce Hurst along with slugger Jim Rice.
Overall design of the Topps 1986 set has held up extremely well. Featuring team logo fronts with player photos and stats on the back, the cards maintained Topps’ classic look while stood out from competing brands like Fleer and Donruss. The set totaled 792 cards including traded players, manager, checklists, and Topps trading cards ad inserts. The design simplicity allowed the photography, stats, and subject matter to shine through. Glossy and durable, the 1986 cards were meant to last through years of handling in collectors’ hands.
While most sets are only remembered decades later for a handful of star rookie cards, the entire 1986 Topps set achieved lasting popularity. Established veteran stars like Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Ryne Sandberg, and Nolan Ryan had iconic cards that remain widely collected to this day. Even unlicensed and generic greats like Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd achieved a cult following through their ’86 Topps issue. The depth of stars and storylines throughout the league translated to a fully loaded and timeless complete set.
In the years since, the 1986 Topps baseball set only continued to appreciate in demand and secondary market value. PSA/BGS graded gem mint rookie cards of McGwire, Bonds, Clark, and others routinely sell for thousands of dollars. Even common players in high grades can fetch over $100 each. The entire set is iconic but also attainable for most vintage baseball card collectors. Prices remain reasonable compared to ultra-high end pre-war issues while still offering the thrill of handling genuine pieces of baseball history.
For all these reasons – iconic rookie cards, dominance of surprising teams, timeless design, and steady appreciation – the 1986 Topps baseball card set stands tall as one of the crowning achievements in the history of the hobby. It perfectly captured memorable moments from an amazing MLB season that still resonate over 35 years later for collectors and fans worldwide. The ’86 Topps cards were made to last and will remain a highly valued part of baseball’s collectible pantheon for generations to come.
