30 Year Top 50: 1984 Fleer Update

#11-After yesterday's Hall of Fame shutout this post might be opening a fresh scab for some, but it's just the day I happened to land on this set.  The 1984 Fleer Update set is considered by many to be one of the two best update sets of all-time along with the 1982 Topps Traded set.  However, I did not collect cards in 1982, so that set is not apart of my countdown.  In fact, this set was Fleer's first attempt to create an update set.  While it is exactly the same as the 1984 Fleer base set in terms of design, the set hit two home runs on its player selection.

1984 Fleer Update Pete Rose 

The 1984 Fleer Update set is the home to the first Kirby Puckett and Roger Clemens rookie cards.  I know we, as a hobby, have confusion over what is a rookie card, an XRC, and what other labels a certain Dallas-based magazine has floated out there throughout the years.  Both cards were the first issue of both player and are treated that way by collectors.  While I do own this set, I actually prefer the Pete Rose Expos card over both the Clemens and Puckett cards.  Nothing against Clemens or Puckett, but I've always thought it was cool to see Charlie Hustle wearing the Expos uniform.  I am sure that the Pete Rose Expos cards should get a cult following like the Piazza Marlins cards.  

1984 Fleer Update Roger Clemens

Now, I am not here to debate the steroid issue in baseball.  Just talking about the cards.  The Clemens rookie card is the most important card in this set and is treated like his true rookie card by collectors.  Despite the controversy surrounding the former pitcher, this card still frequently sells for over $100 both raw and graded copies.  Graded copies with high grades can still approach $500.   This card is also one of the most forged cards out on the market, so beware of who and where you pick up a copy of this card.  While the card is still over $100, at the height of its popularity it frequently crossed $200 all the way up to $250.  It just hasn't fallen as far as other controversial players like Mark McGwire in terms of card value.  

1984 Fleer Update Kirby Puckett 

The Kirby Puckett card is the token Hall of Fame card on this blog post.  Raw copies of the Puckett rookie card can be found for around $75 to $80 with graded copies crossing into the hundreds of dollars.  A high graded copy of this card might fetch more than $250 to $200.  Besides having a nice Kirby Puckett autograph, this is a must have for any Puckett collector.