Loaded With Potential - The 1986 Topps Traded Set

Here it is! In my opinion, the 1986 Topps Traded set is the best of the cardboard box sets. Maybe not in monetary value, or design prowess, but to me this is the set with the most excitement! The rookie class in the set is second to none, and any set with myth/man/legend Bob Walk is a keeper.

The Hall of Famers in the set are of the grizzled veteran variety, though when the set came out, I'm sure most baseball fans and analysts would be shocked that these were the only three guys. Niekro was still tossing his knuckleball, Seaver was maybe not as Terrific as he once was, but still an excellent veteran pitcher. Dick Williams is a Hall of Famer for his managerial career, which included the "Impossible Dream" Red Sox of 1967, 2 World Series Titles in Oakland, turning the Expos from and expansion team to a playoff contender, and taking the Padres to their first World Series in 1984.

On to the Rookies! Bonds may still be joining the three Hall of Famers someday, he is the All-Time leader in Home Runs, Walks, Intentional Walks, and won 2 batting titles, 7 MVPs, went to 14 All-Star games, 8 Gold Gloves, and 12 Silver Sluggers. Bobby Bonilla will get his last paycheck from the Mets in 2035, part of a unique contract structure that is worth reading about. Jose Canseco, of course has been covered at length on this blog and others. The Oakland great probably could have been in the Hall as well if not for the Steroid controversy swirling around him. Bo Jackson may have been the most hyped of all. A Football Superstar and Baseball prodigy, Bo was an athlete without a peer in 1986.

He played just 53 minor league games before being called up to the Royals, and would only return for injury rehab stints in later years. Probably no other player in the 80s was filled with so much potential for greatness, and the hip injury he sustained as a Raiders running back robbed him and fans of a promising baseball career. Jackson has no regrets, however, and his comeback in Chicago and with Angels proved just how remarkable his determination and strength was.

This set was so loaded with rookies, there's a whole crop of just 1st basemen / future 1st basemen!

This post doesn't even include guys like Todd Worrell, Milt Thompson, Pete Incaviglia, Dan Plesac, who had solid MLB careers.

Just one Twins player in the set, so you know I'm not playing favorites - they'll get the star treatment in next week's post on the next year's traded set. Pastore was a long time Cincinnati Reds pitcher, joining the team in 1979. '86 was his final season in the big leagues.

Some of my favorite pictures from the set. Technically, that's a Jim Leyland rookie card, as the Pirates were his first managing gig. I just heard a fun anecdote about Franklin Stubbs on an MLB Network clip. Mark DeRosa was talking about Michael Brantley, and mentioned that his swing reminded him of Garrett Anderson, very smooth and fluid mechanics. DeRosa went on to say one of his minor league hitting instructors was Franklin "Ticket" Stubbs, and that Stubbs told DeRosa that he needed to have a love song playing in his head at the plate, so his body could move to the right rhythm to hit.

Oh No! Poor Claudell has the dreaded "airbrushed pinstripes" treatment from Topps. He'd go on to have some of the best seasons of his career in the Bronx, though, so he got the last laugh.