The 1986 New York Mets became one of baseball’s most beloved teams. Down three games to two and down to their final out, the Mets battled back to win Game 6 behind Bill Buckner’s crucial error at first base. New York found themselves behind again in Game 7, trailing 3-0. However, they tied the game in the sixth inning before going on to win the team’s second World Series title.
There’s nothing quite like looking back at a moment in time through baseball cards, so with that, here are 10 fun 1986 Mets cards you can own for a song.
Dwight Gooden 1986 Meadowgold Dairy
Gooden was smoking hot 30 years ago and even in the middle of the country, you could find collectors chasing his cards. Meadowgold Dairy included Dr. K in sets of cards distributed with its products including the awful tasting Bubble Gum Coolers ice cream product. Gooden had cards and, along with several other stars, appeared on packaging as well. Check them out here.
Gary Carter 1986 Mets Jiffy Pop Disc 
Carter was a huge reason the Mets earned those World Series rings. After coming over from Montreal, The Kid provided stability behind the plate and a solid bat in the lineup.
That season, Jiffy Pop produced a set of discs and Carter was one of 20 players selected for inclusion. Despite their relative scarcity, they still only sell for a few dollars.
Kevin Mitchell 1986 Mets Sportflics Rookie
Mitchell became famous for his years with the San Francisco Giants, but he began his career with the Mets. In 1986, Topps, Donruss, and Fleer all included him in their traded/update releases. One that’s harder to find than those issues is his 1986 Sporflics.
Despite the fact that Mitchell later won an MVP award, you can still find this one for next to nothing.
Keith Hernandez 1986 Mets 7-11/Slurpee Disc
Manning first base for the 1986 Mets was All-Star Keith Hernandez, who had already become one of the most popular players in team history. Hernandez appeared on a bunch of cards that season but one of his more unique items was a 3D disc sold with Slurpees at 7-11. He was featured with Don Mattingly and Cal Ripken.
Want one? It will only cost you about $5.
Lenny Dykstra 1986 Mets Topps Tiffany Rookie 
His post-career behavior has stained the memory but the young Dysktra was the sparkplug of the 1986 Mets, hitting just under .300 in his first full major league season.
He had rookie cards in the three major 1986 sets, Topps, Donruss, and Fleer. All three cards are easy to find and inexpensive as well. But if you want something a little rarer, go for his Topps Tiffany rookie. Ungraded, you can still find one for a few bucks.
Mookie Wilson 1986 Mets Topps Tattoo
Topps created temporary tattoo sheets in 1986 with eight players to a sheet. Included in this oddity release was Mookie Wilson, one of the team’s starting outfielders who hit the ball that bounced through Buckner’s legs.
The ever-grinning Mookie is captured nicely on this quirkly little product from Topps and it definitely won’t break the budget.
1986 OPC Ray Knight
Knight is smiling on just about all of his cards, including this one that shows a light moment while he’s at the plate but a brawl he was in with the Dodgers in late May of ’86 really set the tone for the feisty nature the Mets had under manager Davey Johnson. And of course, it was Knight who scored the winning run in that dramatic Game 6 chopper by Wilson.
Canadian youngsters pulled these from packs that season and today you can grab one for a buck or less.
Darryl Strawberry 1986 Mets Drake’s 
Drake’s issued a run of trading cards in the 1980s and Mets slugger Darryl Strawberry was included in the 1986 release. The card is one of Straw’s earlier cards and he was ironically included on a panel along with the aforementioned Buckner.
Strawberry’s individual card is generally available for $1 or $2.
Ron Darling 1986 Mets Kay-Bee
Darling was one of the top pitchers on the staff and got the nod for the club in Game 1 of the World Series. Kay-Bee produced a few sets from 1986 to 1990 and the first one in 1986 focused on some of the game’s younger stars.
Darling was included in that inaugural release and you can usually find this card on eBay for $1 or less.
Dave Magadan 1986 Mets ProCards Minor League
Magadan was drafted by the Mets in the second round of the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft and made his debut with the team towards the end of 1986. He didn’t disappoint, batting .444 in 18 at bats, collecting three RBI in his short time.
He wasn’t a factor in the postseason but joined the club just in time to grab a World Series ring. His 1986 ProCards minor league card is plentiful and only about $1.
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Notes: Conlon, Cowboys’ Crook Caught?, Keith and Keith
Ramblings: Doc’s Birthday Recalls Days When Gooden Was Plenty Good
