How Did The 1985 Topps Gary Pettis Error Card Happen?

The 1985 Topps Gary Pettis card is a notable card from the 1985 Topps set, not for the player but is not on the card.

It’s a little piece of sports memorabilia history with a twist. Pettis played a crucial role with the California Angels throughout the mid-1980s. However, what makes this card unique special Pettis’ performance on the field—it’s that the photo on the card doesn’t feature Gary. It’s not even a teammate or an MLB player at all.

This article shall cover everything about the story behind this card and why it’s an interesting card for baseball collectors.

Gary Pettis

Gary Pettis, born on April 3, 1958, is an American former professional baseball center fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Pettis was selected in the 6th round of the 1979 draft by the California Angels.

He played minor league baseball for the Salinas Spurs of the class “A” California League and the Holyoke Millers of the double “A” Eastern League in 1980 and 1981, respectively. In 1982, Pettis was promoted to the California Angels, where he played for six seasons.

During his career, Pettis was known for striking out often, he was a prolific base runner and performed extremely well on defense. Pettis’ defensive excellence earned him five Gold Glove Awards, solidifying his status as a premier center fielder of his era.

Throughout his career, from 1982 to 1992, Pettis played for multiple teams, including the California Angels, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, and San Diego Padres. After retiring in 1992, Pettis transitioned to coaching, continuing to impact the game.

1985 Topps set

The 1985 Topps set has a lot of positives going for it, even as a junk wax-era set. Its 792-card checklist is packed with several Hall of Famers. The 1985 Topps set has held up well over time and remains quite popular even today.

It’s a nostalgic trip back to the mid-80s for baseball enthusiasts and collectors alike, which was the decade several of today’s collectors began collecting cards.

One of the top features of the 1985 Topps set is its simple yet vibrant design. Each card features a large, clear photograph of the player. The player’s name is displayed prominently in a banner at the bottom, with the team name and logo standing out.

The 1985 Topps baseball subsets include;

• Record Breakers (1-10)
• Fathers & Sons (131-143)
• 1st Draft Picks (271-282)
• 1984 U.S. Olympic team (389-404)
• All-Stars (701-722).

The 1985 Topps baseball set also had several key rookie cards, such as #181 Roger Clemens, #401 Mark McGwire and #536 Kirby Puckett.

The 1985 Topps set had a 1985 Topps Tiffany set, which contains one of the most valuable cards from the junk wax era.

Seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger “Rocket” Clemens, who was recently put on the 2023 Contemporary Veteran Hall of Fame Ballot, has one of the most valuable Topps Tiffany cards. One of his 1985 rookie Tiffany cards sold for an impressive $13,8772.

1985 Topps Gary Pettis error card

The 1985 Topps Gary Pettis card is a fascinating oddity in the world of baseball error cards. At first glance, the 1985 Topps Gary Pettis card looks like a typical card from the set.

However, a closer look reveals something unusual: Gary Pettis’s face looks rather young. That’s because the picture on the 1985 Topps Gery Pettis card isn’t Gary Pettis himself but his younger brother, Lynn Pettis, who somehow ended up being featured on his brother’s card.

For comparison, here’s the 1984 Topps Gary Pettis photograph

While mix-ups with players’ images are unheard of today, they were pretty common during the junk wax era.

What makes the 1985 Topps Gary Pettis card particularly unique is that mix-ups with player images almost always involve another player from the same team. But to replace an MLB star with someone who wasn’t even a professional player? Unheard of.

The story behind the 1985 Topps Gary Pettis photo

There were several stories about how the mix-up with Gary Pettis’ 1985 Topps card happened. However, thanks to an MLB Carded episode, we have the definitive story from Pettis himself.

Gary first noticed something was off when a friend called to say he looked really young on his card. He says he was 24/25 years old at the time, so he brushed it off. It wasn’t until someone showed him the card during the season that he realized what his friend meant. Staring back at him wasn’t his face but his 14-year-old brother’s.

As for how the mix-up happened, Gary recalls the picture was taken on a Sunday afternoon. His teammate, Juan Benitez, often brought his son to the field, and Gary’s brother, who was friends with Benitez’s son, would join in. Both kids would run around the field, chasing fly balls.

Topps’s photographers must have come to grab a few photographs of the players, including Gary Pettis. Despite being only 14, his brother was as big as Gary at 24, which led the Topps photographers to mistake him for the MLB player, capturing him in the dugout. Unaware of the error, Topps used the wrong picture for the entire print run of the card.

On a side note, Gary Pettis always refuses to sign the 1985 Topps Gary Pettis card since it’s not him, and will recommend you get his brother Lynn to sign it.

Value of the 1985 Topps Gary Pettis card

Indeed, the 1985 Topps Gary Pettis card holds a unique place in baseball card collecting. However, it has very little monetary value. The reason for this is due to the sheer number of copies produced.

This is a junk wax-era card. Additionally, Topps didn’t care enough to correct the error, so this card is an uncorrected error card.

Considering how many cards were printed in the junk wax era, millions of these cards are available in the market today, which is more than enough to meet any demand without the price rising significantly.

We shall look at the last five PSA 10 sales according to PSA. However, prices typically range from $0.5 to $49, depending on the card’s condition.

While there is a little financial incentive to collect this card, its appeal lies not in how much it can be flipped for but in the nostalgia/humor it brings. The card might not be a valuable investment, but it certainly brings joy and a smile to those who know its story. Hence, the 1985 Topps Gary Pettis card remains popular for its delightful story.

Why the 1985 Topps Gary Pettis is fondly regarded in the hobby

While the 1985 Topps Gary Pettis card might not be worth much in monetary terms, it still holds value in today’s market for several reasons.

Historical quirk

The unique backstory on how Gary’s younger brother came to be on his card makes it stands out. This kind of story adds a layer of charm and intrigue that several collectors find irresistible.

Collector’s appeal

Error cards, especially ones with such endearing mistakes and backstory, have a special place in the hearts of collectors. They represent the human side of the sports card industry, where mix-ups and mishaps happen.

Affordability

Given that millions of these cards are available, it’s an affordable addition to any collection. You can easily pick one up for a few dollars, making it accessible to new collectors or those looking to add a piece of 1980s nostalgia without breaking the bank.

Conversation piece

Owning a 1985 Gary Pettis card gives you an interesting story to share with fellow collectors and even friends who are not collectors. It’s not just about the card itself, but the narrative behind it that makes it a captivating item.

Bottomline of the 1985 Topps Gary Pettis card

While the 1985 Gary Pettis card may not hold significant monetary value, it is a recommended addition to any baseball collection. With its funny backstory – featuring Gary’s younger brother instead of Gary – this card has a unique and charming twist.

It’s affordable, too; you can grab one for just a few bucks. This is one of those occasions where a card’s value doesn’t lie in its financial worth. The 1985 Topps Gary Pettis card is a beloved item among error card enthusiasts.

Whether you’re a dedicated collector or a casual fan, the 1985 Topps Gary Pettis card and its representation of the heartwarming nature of baseball history would be a great addition to your collection.