The 1986 Topps baseball card set is one of the most highly regarded issues in the modern era of the hobby. With a wide array of rookies, future Hall of Famers, and stars of the era featured throughout the 700+ card checklist, the ’86 Topps set holds significant nostalgia and collector value even decades after its original release. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout rookie cards, stars of the day, and other notables from the 1986 Topps series that regularly demand premium prices in the collectibles marketplace.
One of the true crown jewels from the 1986 set is the rookie card of Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Roberto Alomar. Widely considered one of the greatest second basemen of all time, Alomar was just starting his legendary career in 1986 and his Topps rookie introduced him to collectors. High grades of the Alomar rookie regularly sell for well over $1,000 given his 12 All-Star selections, 10 Gold Gloves, and likely future induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Another high-dollar card from the set is the rookie of California Angels pitcher Chuck Finley. As a hard-throwing lefty who would tally over 200 wins and three All-Star nods over his career, Finley’s rookie remains quite valuable in top condition with PSA 10 examples often reaching $500-$700 at auction.
Two of the true superstar rookies featured in 1986 Topps were Cleveland Indians outfielder Cory Snyder and Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens. Snyder was one of baseball’s top young power hitters in the mid-1980s but suffered several injuries that derailed his career. Still, his rookie card retains nostalgia value and high grades still exceed $100. It is the Clemens rookie that sets the true bar as one of the highest priced modern age cards on the market. As a seven-time Cy Young Award winner and 11-time All-Star who is still building his Hall of Fame case, the demand for Clemens’ rookie is immense. PSA 10 examples have cracked $10,000 at auction in recent years while even lower graded copies in the $3,000 range are quite spendy for a card from the mid-1980s.
Beyond the rookie star power, the 1986 Topps set also highlighted many active superstars and future Hall of Famers still in their primes including Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, George Brett, Mike Schmidt, and Rickey Henderson. Each of their base cards from the ’86 edition remain quite collectible with the highest grades earning four-figure values regularly. Another Texas Rangers fireballer whose 1986 Topps card garners great demand is Jose Guzman. One of the hardest throwers of the era with a 100 mph heater, Guzman’s on-card image projecting sheer velocity is always an iconic one for fans and collectors of the period. PSA 10 versions of his base card recently sold north of $800.
While the big rookie stars and superstar veterans are the true blue-chip cards, other notables and short-prints from the 1986 Topps set hold tremendous upside based on team affiliation and player performance after the fact. For example, the base card of then-Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cal Ripken Jr. wasn’t all that expensive just a few years ago but has seen prices explode with his now assured legend status. A PSA 10 Ripken base from ’86 now fetches over $2,000. Meanwhile, cards like Oakland A’s first baseman/DH Dave McKay and San Diego Padres starter Eric Show held little value for decades but have seen renewed collector interest as of late. McKay’s success with the Bash Brothers Era A’s and Show’s later All-Star play has made their 1986 Topps cards more relevant again.
Even less heralded names have upside based on future accomplishments not yet realized when 1986 Topps cards were produced. For instance, the Tigers rookie card of Alan Trammell registers barely above bulk levels for the time being. But, as a future Hall of Famer and one of the finest shortstops ever, his cardboard value is primed to spike dramatically once he becomes enshrined in Cooperstown. The same could be said for Angels reliever Bobby Thigpen down the line as 1996’s all-time single-season saves record-holder. For now, both those 1986 rookies can be had very reasonably. Additionally, 1986 Topps featured short-prints of future superstars and Hall of Famers like Barry Bonds, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and David Justice that hold tremendous value today.
The 1986 Topps baseball set is overflowing with rookies, stars, and future legends that keep its collector demand and associated financial values at a very high level even decades later. From multi-thousand dollar elite rookie supers like Clemens and Alomar to affordable long-term sleeper holds like Trammell, there are money-making opportunities everywhere in this premier mid-1980s issue. Whether seeking investment pieces, affordable childhood favorites, or simply to appreciate the players and era captured, 1986 Topps remains a must-have component of any vintage baseball card collection portfolio.
