The 1987 Fleer baseball card set was issued during one of the most exciting eras in baseball history. Led by superstars like Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, and Ozzie Smith, the late 1980s featured incredible talents and intense pennant races. Not surprisingly, cards from the 1987 Fleer set remain highly sought after by collectors decades later. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top cards and their estimated values today.
One of the headliners of the ’87 Fleer set is the Roger Clemens rookie card. Clemens would go on to record a historic 20-strikeout game just a year later and cement his status as one of the greatest pitchers ever. In excellent mint condition, his rookie now fetches prices up to $8,000. Other rookie gems include Hall of Famers Barry Larkin, Will Clark, and Tim Raines. In top shape, a Larkin rookie can sell for around $500-800 while Clark and Raines rookies range from $150-400 depending on centering and corners.
Sluggers like Don Mattingly and Mark McGwire also have coveted rookie cards. A pristine Mattingly rookie has sold for over $2000. McGwire rookie prices have increased significantly since he admitted using steroids later in his career – a near-mint copy could cost over $1000. Perhaps the most iconic card in the set is the Wade Boggs “Chicken Man” issue, featuring the hitter enjoying a post-game meal. High grade Boggs “Chickens” have brought in well over $500 at auction.
Veteran superstars like Ozzie Smith, Rickey Henderson, and Kirby Puckett had cards that have held strong value over time as well. The “Wizard of Oz” Ozzie Smith is a fan favorite, with a PSA 10 specimen changing hands for around $600-700. Rickey Henderson, MLB’s career stolen base king, has a PSA 10 that sells for $350-450 range. Kirby Puckett’s sweet swing made him a fan favorite in Minnesota – his ’87 Fleer has sold for $200-300 in top condition.
Other notables like Dennis Eckersley, Dwight Gooden, and Jack Morris have cards retaining significant collector interest decades later. Eckersley’s transition from starter to closer brought him newfound fame and his card sells for $150-250. Dwight Gooden, nicknamed “Doc,” was the NL Rookie of the Year in ’85 and won the ’85 Cy Young – his ’87 Fleer in pristine condition fetches $125-175. Jack Morris won the ’91 World Series with the Twins after years of excellence – his ’87 Fleer goes for $100-150.
Less heralded but solid veterans like Tim Raines, Bob Boone, and Tony Gwynn round out positions of value. A near-mint Raines sells in the $75-125 range. Bob Boone, who caught for the Angels and Royals, has seen modest appreciation – one in top condition sold for $50. Tony Gwynn, who became a Hall of Fame hitter, has cards that price around $60-100 based on his excellence and recent passing.
Of course, for every star listed, there were role players and prospects whose cards hold little intrinsic value. But for a set issued during baseball’s “Steroid Era,” ’87 Fleer cards of superstars, franchise players, and soon-to-be elite talents command respectable prices from dedicated collectors even decades later. The vintage appeal and nostalgia factor will ensure interest remains high for flagship cards showcasing the sports’ immortals from this exciting period. With scarcity a factor as the years pass, prices for ’87 Fleer standouts in pristine condition may continue their climb.
