Will Clark Rookie Cards: Values, Checklist & Best Picks

Best Will Clark Rookie Cards

Topps Traded XRC

1986 · Topps Traded · #24T

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Donruss The Rookies XRC

1986 · Donruss The Rookies · #32

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Fleer Update XRC

1986 · Fleer Update · #U-25

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Values & Trends

Will Clark rookie cards focus on his 1986 XRC-style issues from Topps Traded, Donruss The Rookies, and Fleer Update, along with his 1987 flagship base rookies from Topps, Donruss, and Fleer. Most copies sit in the budget tier, with raw and mid-grade examples often under the 100 dollar mark and only the cleanest PSA 10 copies for key cards reaching into the mid three-figure range.

Core rookie scope: Collectors usually start with 1986 Topps Traded #24T, 1986 Donruss The Rookies #32, and 1986 Fleer Update #U-25, then add 1987 Topps #420, 1987 Donruss #66, and 1987 Fleer #269 for a full Will Clark rookie run.
Accessibility with upside: Because these mid-80s sets were printed heavily, most Will Clark rookies remain affordable, which makes it realistic to chase better centering and strong eye appeal without needing a huge budget.
Grade and eye appeal: Top grades, especially PSA 10s of 1986 Topps Traded and Donruss The Rookies, still earn clear premiums, so centering, corners, and clean surfaces matter if you want long-term keeper pieces.

Buying Guide: How to Pick Will Clark Rookie Cards

Start with a flagship Topps Traded XRC and target 1986 Topps Traded #24T in the best centering and surface quality you can find; it is the most recognizable Will Clark rookie for many collectors.
Add Donruss The Rookies and Fleer Update from 1986 with 1986 Donruss The Rookies #32 and 1986 Fleer Update #U-25 to round out his key boxed-set rookies before you move into the 1987 flagship base cards.
Collect the 1987 flagship trio: 1987 Topps #420, 1987 Donruss #66, and 1987 Fleer #269 give you classic wood-grain, black-border, and gray-border looks that many 80s collectors grew up with.
Decide on raw vs graded: Graded copies from major graders make it easier to compare recent sales and condition, while raw copies can be more budget-friendly but require closer inspection for corner wear, print dots, and small surface issues.
Use grading and pricing guides together: Compare recent sales for the exact card and grade you are targeting and read a grading overview to decide when fees make sense for a Will Clark rookie. For more detail, see the grading guide and the eBay buying guide .

Full Rookie Card Checklist

Card	Year	#	Details	90d Avg RAW	90d Avg PSA 9	90d Avg PSA 10	eBay
Topps Traded XRC Will Clark · Topps Traded	1986	24T	—	—	—	—	eBay
Donruss The Rookies XRC Will Clark · Donruss The Rookies	1986	32	—	—	—	—	eBay
Fleer Update XRC Will Clark · Fleer Update	1986	U-25	—	—	—	—	eBay
Topps Rookie Card Will Clark · Topps	1987	420	—	—	—	—	eBay
Donruss Rookie Card Will Clark · Donruss	1987	66	—	—	—	—	eBay
Fleer Rookie Card Will Clark · Fleer	1987	269	—	—	—	—	eBay

True RC, XRC and Boxed Sets

For Will Clark, the hobby usually treats 1986 Topps Traded #24T, 1986 Donruss The Rookies #32, and 1986 Fleer Update #U-25 as his key XRC-style rookie cards from boxed and factory sets, with 1987 Topps, Donruss, and Fleer base rookies rounding out the flagship run. Those 1986 issues are not standard wax-pack base cards, but they have long been accepted as core rookie cards for Clark and sit alongside the 1987 base rookies in most checklists. If you want a simple answer, focus on 1986 Topps Traded #24T as the centerpiece and treat the rest as parallel paths to build depth in a Will the Thrill PC.

Best Boxes & Sets to Pull Will Clark Rookie Cards

Grading & Population

Will Clark rookies from 1986 and 1987 show the usual 1980s condition mix: plenty of raw supply but a much smaller pool of truly sharp copies. Population reports for 1986 Topps Traded, Donruss The Rookies, and Fleer Update show a clear drop as you move from PSA 8 and PSA 9 into gem-mint grades, which explains why clean PSA 10s earn stronger premiums even when raw copies are easy to find.

Review population data and recent sales snapshots for 1986 Topps Traded #24T, 1986 Donruss The Rookies #32, and 1986 Fleer Update #U-25 to understand how many high-grade copies exist before you submit or buy.
Inspect centering, corners, and surfaces closely; black and dark borders on Donruss can chip, while Topps and Fleer show typical 1980s centering and print variability.
When choosing between graded copies, compare eye appeal within the same grade, since two PSA 9s can look very different once you factor in centering and overall presentation.

About Will Clark

Will Clark, known to fans as Will the Thrill, was a left-handed first baseman who starred for the San Francisco Giants and later the Rangers, Orioles, and Cardinals from 1986 to 2000. He put up a .303 career average with 2,176 hits, 284 home runs, and 1,205 runs batted in, earning six All-Star selections, a Gold Glove, two Silver Sluggers, and the 1989 NLCS MVP while leading the Giants to the World Series. His consistent bat, intensity, and the Giants’ decision to retire his number 22 keep steady interest in his rookie and early-career cards for both team collectors and wider 1980s baseball fans.

Resources & Related Guides

FAQ

What is Will Clark’s true rookie card?

Most collectors treat Will Clark’s core rookie cards as his 1986 XRC-style issues from Topps Traded #24T, Donruss The Rookies #32, and Fleer Update #U-25, along with his 1987 base rookies from Topps, Donruss, and Fleer. The 1986 cards come from boxed and factory sets rather than standard flagship packs, but they have long been accepted as key rookie cards for Will the Thrill.

Which Will Clark rookie card is best to start with?

If you want a single centerpiece, start with 1986 Topps Traded #24T in the best centering and surface quality your budget allows. Many collectors then add 1986 Donruss The Rookies #32 and 1986 Fleer Update #U-25, followed by the 1987 Topps, Donruss, and Fleer rookies to complete the main run.

How much is a Will Clark rookie card worth?

Values depend on the specific set, grade, and eye appeal. Raw and mid-grade copies of most Will Clark rookies often sit in the budget tier, while the sharpest PSA 10 examples of 1986 Topps Traded #24T and Donruss The Rookies #32 can reach into the mid three-figure range. Always check recent sales for the exact card and grade you are considering.

What are the most expensive Will Clark rookie cards?

The most expensive Will Clark rookie cards tend to be high-grade PSA 10 copies of his 1986 Topps Traded #24T, 1986 Donruss The Rookies #32, and 1986 Fleer Update #U-25, along with strong copies of the 1987 flagship base rookies. Scarcer, high-grade examples with great centering and eye appeal usually lead recent top sale snapshots.

Where can I buy Will Clark rookie cards?

Large marketplaces such as eBay have the widest mix of Will Clark rookie cards, with options for raw and graded copies from 1986 and 1987. Use filters for set, grade, and price, review seller feedback and photos carefully, and favor clear return policies when you are buying higher-value or graded cards.

Should I grade a Will Clark rookie card?

Grading makes the most sense for Will Clark rookies that show strong centering, clean borders, and minimal surface wear, especially key cards like 1986 Topps Traded #24T and Donruss The Rookies #32. Well-loved copies can be fine to keep raw if grading fees would use up too much of the card’s value.