Both Puckett and Clemens do have an '84 Fleer Update card, but no Topps until the next season. Clemens debut was May 15 1984 and he started 20 games and threw 133 innings. Puckett was even earlier, May 8 1984 and had 583 plate appearances.
Other 1984 rookies who *did* make the '84 Topps Traded set, along with their MLB debut:
Saberhagen - April 4
Jose Rijo - April 5
Gubicza April 6
Jimmy Key - April 6
Gooden - April 7
Mark Langston - April 7
Alvin Davis - April 11
All debuted a month earlier than Clemens and Puckett. Was timing an issue?
Also notable, Eric Davis debuted May 19, 1984 and would have 200 PA's in 1984, but no '84 TT card.
Hershiser actually debuted in September '83 and pitched the entire '84 season, but no Topps card until '85.
Side note - Severely off topic but why the HECK doesn't Maddux have an '88 Score card!!!???!!!
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