The 1985 Topps set holds a special place in baseball card history, and for good reason. This particular release produced absolute gems that people are still talking about today.
David Gonos of the Happy Hobby Newsletter shared his thoughts on the best 1985 Topps rookie cards that deserve our attention. I picked my five favorites so we can talk about them in more detail below.
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5 Must-Have 1985 Topps Rookie Cards
According to Gonos, these are some of the heavy hitters from Topps’ 1985 lineup:
Dwight Gooden Record Breaker (#3): This commemorated Doc Gooden’s incredible rookie strikeout record from his 1984 Rookie of the Year season, and right before he continued his domination the following year.
Roger Clemens (#181): The Rocket’s official rookie card arrived in this set, marking the beginning of one of the most dominant pitching careers in baseball history (although it comes with some controversy).
Kirby Puckett (#536): Puckett’s rookie card features the future Hall of Famer at the start of his career with the Minnesota Twins.
Mark McGwire Team USA (#401): Before Big Mac was crushing homers in Oakland, his Olympic card gave collectors an early glimpse of what was to come.
Eric Davis (#627): The electric outfielder’s rookie card represents one of the most exciting five-tool players of the late ’80s and early ’90s. If only he stayed on the field more often.
Dwight Gooden’s Record Breaker: A Rookie Season for the Ages
Gooden’s 1984 rookie campaign was nothing short of electric. He struck out 276 hitters in 218 innings, while also posting a 17-9 record with a 2.60 ERA and 1.07 WHIP…as a 19-year-old!
The right-hander shattered the rookie strikeout record while being named an All-Star for the first time. In addition to winning the Rookie of the Year Award, Gooden also placed second in NL Cy Young Award voting. Even though this card isn’t his “official” rookie, it was a special Record Breaker insert. The card typically commands solid prices in the hobby, with mint examples fetching anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars, depending on condition and grading.
Gooden went on to win the Cy Young Award in 1985 with a ridiculous 1.53 ERA, 24 wins, and 268 strikeouts — all of which led the league. This two-year run cemented his place as one of the decade’s most dominant pitchers before injuries and his battle with addiction derailed what could’ve been an even more legendary career.
Kirby Puckett: Minnesota’s Hall of Fame Treasure
As Gonos notes, Puckett emerged as one of the most beloved players of his generation, and his ’85 Topps rookie captures him right at the beginning of his big-league journey.
The Twins center fielder made an immediate impact in 1984. He slashed .296/.320/.336, which included 165 total hits. Puckett finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting, but can you believe he didn’t hit a single home run across 583 plate appearances? It’s true — after hitting just four total homers through his first two seasons (1,327 plate appearances), the right-handed hitter slugged 31 across 723 trips to the plate in 1986.
Over his 12-year career—all in Minnesota—Puckett accumulated 2,304 hits, won six Gold Gloves, made 10 All-Star teams, and was a part of two World Series-winning clubs.
His rookie card has remained consistently popular among collectors, with high-grade examples commanding premium prices. But if your eyes move lower on the right side of the pricing spectrum, you can still find decent copies for reasonable money.
The 1985 Topps Set: A Lasting Impact on the Hobby
The 1985 Topps baseball card release arrived at an interesting crossroads in the hobby. This 792-card set kept the classic Topps design elements that collectors loved while introducing future stars who’d define baseball through the next decade-plus.
This set is fascinating because of how it bridges different eras of collecting. You’ve got established stars from the ’70s and early ’80s, mixed with these incredible rookie cards. The set included both the traditional player cards and special subsets like Record Breakers, All-Stars, and Team Leaders, not only providing variety but also opportunities to chase certain cards that keep the set engaging even four decades later.
The 1985 set is still quite affordable for most collectors while still offering legitimate blue-chip rookie cards that’ve stood the test of time. Whether you’re hunting for a Clemens, chasing a pristine Puckett, or trying to complete the entire set, Topps’ 1985 release delivers a perfect blend of accessibility and genuine baseball history that is just lovely.
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2 responses to “5 Awesome 1985 Topps Rookie Cards Collectors Should Know About”
I’m glad that these cards were listed because I have them. After sending some cards to PSA I decided not to get them graded just to keep them in a folder. I have cards from the 70’s just not sure on how to organize them.
Hey, Elizabeth — that’s awesome! How you organize them is really up to you, which is probably a blessing and a curse, haha. Which one is your favorite?