The 1987 baseball card season produced some of the most valuable and iconic rookie cards in the history of the hobby. Fueled by the success of the ’84 Topps Traded Ken Griffey Jr. card and a boom in interest in collecting, card manufacturers like Topps, Donruss, and Fleer flooded the market with cards during the mid-1980s. While this increased availability ultimately led to a crash in the early 1990s, it also meant that the ’87 set featured several all-time great players making their cardboard debuts.
Perhaps the most well-known and valuable rookie from the 1987 set is Chicago Cubs’ Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. His Topps, Donruss, and Fleer cards are considered the holy grail of the vintage era for many collectors. In pristine mint condition, Sandberg’s Topps rookie has recently sold for over $10,000. Even in worst condition, a copy in worn but intact shape can still fetch a few hundred dollars. What makes Sandberg’s card so iconic is his dominance during his career as a consistent .290 hitter and nine-time All Star for the Cubs. He also took home the 1984 NL MVP award.
Another extremely valuable rookie that debuted in 1987 is Oakland A’s slugger Mark McGwire. Known best for breaking the single-season home run record in 1998, McGwire’s explosive rookie season made his Topps, Donruss, and Fleer cards all highly sought after. Pristine McGwire rookies have exceeded $20,000 at auction recently. Even in poorer shape, a copy can sell for $500-$1000 depending on condition. What propels McGwire’s value is his status as one of the game’s most prolific power hitters and his central role in the steroid era home run surge of the late 1990s.
Outside of rookies, one of the biggest stars featured prominently in the 1987 set is New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden. Known best by his nickname “Doc,” Gooden burst onto the scene in 1984-1985 by winning the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards. His dynamic pitching made him one of the most marketed athletes of the mid-1980s. In pristine mint condition, Gooden’s flagship Topps card has sold for over $15,000 due to his popularity and fame during baseball’s resurgence. Even well-worn copies in played condition can still net several hundred dollars for knowledgeable collectors.
Another offensive force enjoying stardom in the late 1980s was Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Bell. Winning the 1987 AL MVP, Bell’s power surge made him one of the premier sluggers in baseball. His Topps and Donruss rookie cards, while not quite as iconic as McGwire or Gooden, have still gained value in recent years. In a PSA 10 gem mint state, a Bell rookie has topped $4,000. More average worn copies still sell for $100-300 based on demand from Toronto and Caribbean baseball fans. Bell’s dominance in 1987 helps sustain collector interest in commemorating his MVP season.
Beyond these biggest stars, the 1987 Topps, Donruss, and Fleer sets featured other talented young players who would go on to have solid careers like slugging first basemen Will Clark and Mark Grace. They also included veterans still in their primes like Ozzie Smith, Mike Schmidt, and Nolan Ryan. While these players’ cards don’t reach the stratospheric values of stars like McGwire, they still hold significance as affordable options for completing vintage sets or fondly remembering the players. The 1987 season has proven to be a benchmark year that card collectors still eagerly explore for finding iconic rookie gems or enjoying the era’s prolific talents.
Grading and centering also play a huge role in a 1987 card’s value today. While raw ungraded copies may sell for affordable prices, once a card attains a high PSA or BGS grade, numbers can vastly increase. A McGwire or Sandberg rookie in PSA 10 condition can demand a premium over even a PSA 9. With 1987 being one of the earliest mainstream issues for third-party authentication, condition rarities are still possible to uncover. Centering also makes a difference – an off-center McGwire is far less valuable than a perfectly centered copy. Understanding such nuances is key for savvy investors evaluating 1987’s allure and potential.
The 1987 baseball card season has firmly cemented its place in the vintage collecting landscape due to its legendary rookies. Stars like McGwire, Gooden, and Sandberg have attained a mythical presence coveted by fans and admired for their excellence. While the glut of ’80s issues means examples are fairly plentiful if not in top condition, the historic significance of debuting these talented players gives 1987 a special allure. With booming popularity in vintage cards, values for desirable ’87 rookies continue rising due to nostalgia, on-field achievements, and the increasing scarcity of pristine specimens over time under careful care. The season represents one of the true high water marks that perpetually draws appreciation from the collecting community.
