The Definitive Collection (Baseball Edition) – 1985 Mark McGwire

Player: Mark McGwire

Set: 1985 Topps

Card Number: 401

Why is This Card is a Must Have?: From 1986 – 1992 this was one of the hottest cards in the industry. In 1987 he swatted 49 home runs, the most by any rookie ever. We all know the steroids aspect and he probably did it, but he also saved baseball, along with Sammy Sosa in 1998 when he hit 70 homers. Look the guy obviously took steroids and his numbers were obviously influenced by the use of them. The truth is that he hit the homers, and you have to give him credit for that. I remember when he was in college and swatting them there. It wasn’t like he picked up a bottle of HGH and suddenly became a home run hitter. He will get into the Hall of Fame eventually and when he does his card should rebound. It is interesting that his card got as high as $175 before plummeting to the level it’s at today, around $50. Big Mac will always be remembered as the Babe Ruth of our generation, whether he is forgiven or not is another question. But you can’t tell me during that run to 70 homers, you didn’t tune in to every home run he hit. Or if you remember that 63 was done against the Cubs, with Sosa in attendance and that it barely even got over the wall. It’sone of those baseball moments that you will never forget.

On a Scale of 1 to 10, How Must Have Is This Card?: A 9, prior to him being the poster boy for steroids, this card was a $150+ card and easily a 10. Since that time it has slipped but I still feel it’s a 9 which places it in absolutely must have status. If he ever gets into the Hall it goes to a 10, but until then it stays at a 9. You can find this card for about $10 – $20 on eBay (more if graded).