MICHAEL JORDAN
Michael Jordan Rookie
1986 Fleer #57
Beckett Grade NM-MT+8.5
Centering 9
Corners 9
Edges 9
Surface 7.5
When Babe Ruth stopped playing baseball in 1935, a New York columnist wrote that we would never see another athlete like him. The world waited 50 years for Michael Jordan to arrive. Widely considered the greatest athlete of all time, Jordan brought something to the hardcourt no one had never seen before. He suspended himself in the air in a way that defied gravity. He took off from the free-throw line and made it all the way to the basket.
The 1986 Fleer Jordan is one of the most iconic cards ever. In all of hobby history, this card is at the pinnacle. An iconic card of one of the most iconic athletes of all time. The demand crushes any supply issues because it is coveted by both casual and more hardcore collectors and investors. The depth and breadth of the demand is enormous.
A few cards have become so legendary in the marketplace that we only need to refer to them by their name: the Wagner, Mantle, and Jordan, chief among them. Fans may need to wait 50 years before witnessing another athlete like MJ, but in the meantime, collectors can set their sights on the 1986 Fleer Jordan rookie. It is only fitting that it appeared in arguably Fleer’s most beloved set. In 1986, Fleer inked a licensing deal with the NBA to print 132 cards and 11 stickers featuring the game’s best players. Released in September 1986, fans could buy a box of cards for $9.00. Each pack contained 12 cards, a sticker, and a stick of gum. Packs sold for 40 cents. Thus, the odds dictated that fans could get at least one pack-fresh Jordan rookie if they shelled out $4.40 for 11 packs—not a bad ROI given that a PSA 10 examples regularly sell for hundreds of thousands.
Collectors typically prioritize cards based on a shared set of criteria. They tend to prefer cardboard over stickers, licensed cards over independent productions, brand names (Fleer, Donruss, and Topps were the most respected card companies in the 1980s), and card quality (i.e., card stock, photo resolution, graphics, etc.). NBA cards manufactured in the United States also tend to fare better. Despite its global appeal, the story behind Jordan’s most prized card is not widely known.
In the 1980s, few fans collected basketball cards, and thus, they could not have blamed Fleer for not putting much thought into their selection of a photo for Jordan’s rookie card. Although heavily scouted and fresh off a national championship, the Bulls drafted Jordan with the third pick behind Trail Blazer (and Kentucky alum) Sam Bowie. But Fleer had foresight that Portland did not, selecting a photo for Jordan’s inaugural issue that captures his essence, as no player has ever been more associated with a sports move than Jordan with his trademark dunk.
The ‘86 Fleer Jordan photo originates from his rookie season, which was not 1986. Jordan’s jersey displays “Chicago” in script. In the 1985-86 season, Chicago changed their red road uniforms to “BULLS” in block lettering. Michael Jordan played his first road game in the NBA on October 27, 1984, during which he wore the script jersey against Milwaukee. The Bulls last used the script “Chicago” away uniform on April 21, 1985. Thus, a photographer captured this photo of Jordan during his rookie season between October 27, 1984, and April 21, 1985.
The photo also shows a player wearing a Nets uniform. The Nets wore easily recognizable home uniforms in the 1984-85 season that contained a vertical blue and red stripe. Jordan’s red jersey indicates an away game at Brendan Byrne Arena, the Nets stadium at the time. The Bulls played the Nets three times at Brendan Byrne during the 1984-85 season. Thus, this iconic photo of Jordan was taken either on December 14, 1984, January 16, 1985, or April 13, 1985 (the season’s final regular season game). Even though this was not the first Jordan card printed, the photo was taken at least 17 months before Fleer released the card in September 1986 and might have been taken almost two years earlier. New York freelance photographer Noren Trotman has been linked to the photo, but Fleer has not publicly substantiated the claim. Although Trotman’s Getty Images portfolio does not contain the photo, it presents other Jordan photos from the era.
In terms of the card, no mortal can be like Mike, but his ‘86 Fleer issue offers fans an opportunity to own arguably the most popular card in the modern industry, which might be the next best thing.
Michael Jordan
1994-95 Finest #331
Beckett Grade: GEM MT 9.5
Centering 9.5
Edges 9
Corners 9.5
Surface 10
The 1994-95 Topps Finest basketball set is the sophomore installment of the premium NBA card brand. Boasting popular Refractors, a solid rookie crop, and several inserts, the chromium set remains a solid seller with collectors today. Highlights include Michael Jordan along with rookie cards for Grant Hill and Jason Kidd.
Split between two series, 1994-95 Topps Finest Basketball has 331 cards. The first has 165 cards. The second has the remaining 166 cards. Of the two, Series 2 is much stronger. It has the rookie cards of Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, Eddie Jones, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard and more. Michael Jordan is also in the second series. A silver border gives way to an aqua-colored backdrop that has colorful comets shooting forward. The Topps Finest logo takes up the majority of the nameplate at the bottom of the card. The player's name is in small block letters at the very bottom.
Having played only 22 games in the #45 jersey, this particular card was an early-release for the “45” era. At the time of Michael Jordan’s first “comeback,” these came to shelves in a seemingly-rushed release history. On March 19th, 1995, Michael Jordan set the sports world on fire with just two words: "I'm back." This was the start of MJ's first return from retirement, following a break from the game he had so famously dominated.
Michael Jordan
1998 Topps Gold Label, #GL1
Black Label
PSA Grade: MINT 9
This 1998 Topps Gold Label depicts Michel Jordan Insert #1. This card also includes the coveted “black label” designation. The black label version is far more rare than the easily-found gold label.
Jordan capped off his fifth MVP season in 1997-98 by winning his record sixth Finals MVP. Jordan had one of the most dominant seasons on the books in 1997-98, he captured the MVP, the All-Star Game MVP, and the Finals MVP, and led the league in scoring in both the regular season and the playoffs.
Michael Jordan Rookie
1991 Upper Deck #SP1
Beckett Grade GEM MT 9.5
Centering 9
Corners 9.5
Edges 9.5
Surface 10
Though Jordan's baseball debut wouldn't come about until 1994, Upper Deck did manage to work him into their 1991 set as a short print chase card. Collectors were quite shocked that year to see this card featuring Jordan in a White Sox uniform taking batting practice at Wrigley Field before the annual "Windy City Classic" charity game between the Cubs and White Sox in 1990. Little did we know that Jordan would not only suit up for that charity game a few years later on April 7, 1994 but he collected a pair of base hits and knocked in two runs. It continues to be one of his most popular baseball cards. Jordan stepped away from basketball, and opted to try something new -baseball. MJ played baseball up until high school, and he wanted to return to his roots for his father. The Chicago White Sox signed him and the rest became history. The experiment lasted just one year but it was a memorable one for those who witnessed it and followed it.
It became a big deal in the card world as well. All of a sudden there was a fresh spin on Michael Jordan cards with plenty of opportunities. Upper Deck, in particular, took advantage, using Jordan as an anchor for many of their 1994 baseball products. But the history of Michael Jordan baseball cards goes back even further. The 1991 Upper Deck Michael Jordan #SP1 was one of the most coveted cards of the hobby’s peak. Showcasing Jordan taking batting practice at Comiskey, it’s one of the early mainstream chase cards. For those who bought one or two packs at a time, it did seem like a tough card at the time. Still, there’s a lot of nostalgia and novelty surrounding the 1991 Upper Deck Michael Jordan #SP1 today. It might not sell for anywhere close to the amounts it used to, but it’s still one of the most memorable cards from the hobby’s biggest era. The set marked the third year Upper Deck issued a 800-card standard-size set in two separate series of 700 and 100 cards respectively. Cards were distributed in low and high series foil packs and factory sets. Rookie Cards in this set include Jeff Bagwell, Luis Gonzalez, Chipper Jones, Eric Karros, and Mike Mussina. A special Michael Jordan card (numbered SP1) was randomly included in packs on a somewhat limited basis. The Hank Aaron hologram card was randomly inserted in the 1991 Upper Deck high number foil packs.
Michael Jordan
2007 Fleer #MJ3
Missing Links
Beckett Grade GEM MT 9.5
Centering 9.5
Corners 9
Edges 9.5
Surface 9.5
This 2007 Fleer card of Michael Jordan is entitled “Missing Links,” symbolizing that it has a piece of an authentic, NBA game-used jersey in the slab. Proudly displaying “5-time MVP,” this yellow and orange card reflects the 1992-1993 season in which Jordan was named Finals MVP for the second consecutive time.
Michael Jordan
1994 Upper Deck #19
Star Rookies
Beckett Grade GEM MT 9.5
Centering 9
Corners 9.5
Edges 9.5
Surface 9.5
Arguably Jordan's most recognizable rookie baseball card, the 1994 Upper Deck #19 shows him chasing down a fly ball in his White Sox uniform. Of the handful of Michael Jordan baseball cards to carry the RC tag, the one found in 1994 Upper Deck is probably the most recognized. Emblazoned with a massive Star Rookie banner running down the side, the foil front helps it stand out even further from the regular base cards in the set.
Michael Jordan vs. Joe Dumars
1996 Collector’s Choice #363
Assignment Jordan: File No. MJ23
PSA Grade: GEM MT 10
Distributed as Series One (#1-200) and Series Two (#201-400), the 1996 Collector’s Choice basketball set also included an update set #401-430 which was distributed via redemption exchange. The card #363 features Joe Dumars and “Assignment: Jordan.”
The two would face each other a total of 70 times in NBA games. Jordan had a 37-33 winning record over Dumars, but Joe Dumars won more matchups in the Playoffs for a 12-10 postseason record. It has been noted that both had a healthy rivalry but also great mutual respect for one another. Jordan considered Dumars one of the toughest defenders he ever played against. Dumars played 14 seasons for the Pistons, averaging 16.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game. Jordan would 15 seasons for the Bulls and Wizards, averaging 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.