The Will Clark Project – 1986 Cards

I have quite a few Will Clark cards to sort out and I am hoping to finally get my collection organized. What better way to move the project along then post about it. So I will start with my Will Clark cards from 1986 and a little on how he performed in his first year.

Will Clark made his Major League debut on April 8, 1986 with the San Francisco Giants on the road against the Houston Astros. In his first at-bat off the legendary Nolan Ryan, he hit a solo home run (see video below). At the time he was the 53rd player in history to achieve that feat. Clark played in 111 games during his rookie season, batting .287 with 11 home runs and 41 runs batted in. He finished 5th in the National League Rookie of the Year voting behind Todd Worrell (St. Louis), Robby Thompson (San Francisco), Kevin Mitchell (New York), and Charlie Kerfield (Houston) and just ahead of Barry Bonds (Pittsburgh). The San Francisco Giants finished third in the National League West with a 83-79 record (52-47 in games he started and 57-54 in games he appeared in).

1986 WILL CLARK CARDS

1984-1989 O’Connell and Son Ink #208 (Need for my collection)

There is some question as to what year the 1984-1989 O’Connell and Son Ink #208 Will Clark was actually produced. It is part of a 244 card set put out by artist T.S. O’Connell in the 1980’s. I read that he produced about one series a year starting in 1984 and the Will Clark was part of Series #7 which would put it in 1991. If anybody out there could clear up this confusion that would be great!

Topps Replica 1984 USA Baseball Olympic Team Promo Card

Despite batting .393 with 13 home runs and 35 runs batted in for the U.S.A. Olympic baseball team in 1984 he was not included in the 1985 Topps set with other Olympic standouts like Oddibe McDowell, Mark McGwire, and Cory Snyder.

1986 Broders #37 (Need for my collection)

1986 Donruss Highlights #1

1986 Donruss The Rookies #32 (XRC)

1986 Fleer Baseball’s Best Sluggers vs. Pitchers #6 of 44

1986 Fleer Update #U-25 (XRC)

1986 Mother’s Cookies San Francisco Giants #7 of 28

1986 Sportflics Rookies #6

1986 Topps Traded #24T (XRC)

1986 Topps Traded – Tiffany #24T (Need for my collection)

If you have any of the missing cards I have listed above I would love to hear from you – jlculley@gmail.com.