BY MARK A. LARSON
I’m going to go out on a limb and say the four major 1986 baseball card sets (Topps, Fleer, Donruss and Sportflics) are the best single-year group in the post-Topps-monopoly era. Topps’ 1986 set is a vast improvement over the ’85 effort. Donruss has once again outdone itself. The Fleer set, while not extraordinary, is handsome. And Sportflics – the new kid in town – is a unique and well-done set.
My random evaluation of this year’s offerings …
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1986 Topps • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Although gray backs are still with us, the Topps set features much improved photos and backs, especially compared to recent years. While scarce on anything much besides statistics, at least the red backs are easier to read than any major Topps set in recent memory. … Fleer’s dark blue borders are attractive. Frankly, I’m surprised a national company didn’t use dark blue borders before 1986. The only real problem with the Fleer fronts is that they are so similar to the 1983 and 1985 sets – with their color-coded borders and team logos. …
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1986 Donruss • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Donruss has produced a very nice follow-up to last year’s black-border set. This year’s alternating black and light blue stripes are unique, however, many of the photos again appear dark. Is it my imagination or do the fronts of the ’86 Donruss cards have sort of a glossy feel to them? … The large team name on the top of the Topps cards reminds me of the 1964, 1972 and 1975 sets. Topps, of course, hasn’t been known for its innovation lately. Therefore, it shouldn’t be surprising that after the 1985 Donruss black-border set received rave reviews, Topps incorporates a partial black border in this year’s set. …
I’m getting a bit tired of Donruss – and especially Fleer – using team logos year-after-year on their card fronts. … I’ve also grown weary of Donruss’ Diamond Kings. This idea has plum wore out. … Fleer’s photos don’t seem as crisp this year. … Topps’ subsets of Pete Rose Specials, All-Stars and Team Leaders are very nice. Yet, like the Diamond Kings, the Turn Back The Clock subset seems like an old retread. I like the idea of using old Topps cards on the Pete Rose Specials, but it is overdone when used again on Turn Back The Clock. Still, Topps has to fill out a way-too-large 792-card set with something, right? …
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1986 Sportflics • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
The need for a fourth national baseball card set is questionable. However, the Sportflics set is so different from the other three that it might survive the baseball card wars and continue for many years to come. Both the front three-way photos and the backs are excellent. I’m particularly glad thick cardboard was used. Hopefully, this will eliminate the curling that Kelloggs sets experienced. … Speaking of card stock, are the Topps cards thinner this year? …
Fleer’s Prospect cards are rather disappointing in that so little statistical or biographical information is given. … Donruss seems to do the best in this area with their Rated Rookies. … If I had one wish it would be for Donruss and Fleer to be more creative with their card backs. Fleer has used the same basic format with only color changes (and this year’s elimination of the second photo) since 1983. Donruss has been stuck in their rut of “Recent Major League Performance” for the past five years. …
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1986 Fleer • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
All in all, I really like the 1986 cards. Even considering some of their flaws, the four companies have produced attractive sets. Since the battle for national prominence among card companies began in 1981, I feel this is the first year there hasn’t been at least one clunker in the lot. I won’t rate the sets 1-2-3-4. Let’s just say the 1986 cards are a real treat – and leave it at that.
• • • • • •
• Originally Published in Apr. 1986 “Twin Times” •
THIS ARTICLE FROM THE “TWIN TIMES” NEWSLETTER – OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TWIN CITIES SPORTS COLLECTORS CLUB – IS REPRINTED WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR. IT HAS BEEN RETYPED, BUT NO CONTENT HAS BEEN CHANGED (EXCEPT FOR VERY MINOR ADJUSTMENTS, CORRECTIONS TO ANY TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS AND THE ADDITION OF GRAPHICS). COMMENTS OR INFORMATION IN THE ARTICLE MAY BE OUT-OF-DATE.
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