The 1987 Fleer baseball card set featured some cards that have become highly sought after by collectors in the decades since. While the overall base set design was nothing particularly special consisting of classic Fleer black borders and team logo designs, there were several rookie cards and unique photo variations that made this set stand out. Chief among the key cards from the 1987 Fleer baseball release were those of future Hall of Famer Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire in his rookie season, and a very rare Roger Clemens printing plate proof.
Let’s start with the rookie card of Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Barry Bonds. As the son of former major leaguer Bobby Bonds, Barry was highly touted coming up through the minor leagues and his debut Fleer card captured him at the beginning of what would become a truly historic career. Over 22 seasons mainly with the Pirates and San Francisco Giants, Barry Bonds would smash the all-time home run record with 762 and win a record seven NL MVP awards cementing his place as one of the greatest players of all time. His 1987 Fleer rookie is one of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards ever produced with high grade examples often fetching tens of thousands of dollars or more at auction.
Another massive star featured as a rookie in the 1987 Fleer set was Oakland Athletics first baseman Mark McGwire. Known as “Big Mac,” McGwire smashed 49 home runs in his first full season in the majors and was recognized nationally after putting on an incredible power display down the stretch and into the playoffs. While injuries would hamper his career at times, McGwire later broke the single season home run record in 1998 alongside Sammy Sosa fueling renewed interest in the game. In pristine mint condition, McGwire’s rookie card today can sell for well over $10,000 showcasing the star power appeal of one of baseball’s most prolific sluggers.
Perhaps the true hidden gem among the 1987 Fleer cards though was the printing plate proof of Boston Red Sox ace pitcher Roger Clemens. Only one is believed to have been produced during Fleer’s platemaking process prior to the actual print run. This ultra-rare Clemens card has his name and complete stats on the back but features an uncut sheet with nine card fronts from the printing plate itself. Incredibly unique and arguably the most desirable baseball card in existence, the Clemens printing plate has sold at public auction for over $100,000 when it has become available demonstrating its importance as a true one-of-a-kind treasure for memorabilia collectors.
The high values seen for the best examples of the Bonds, McGwire, and Clemens ’87 Fleer cards are understandable given not only their place among the earliest representations of these legends’ careers but also the fact that the entire print run for the base set was much smaller compared to modern issues. Fleer produced only 150,000 series 1 wax packs which contained five random cards each meaning the player count for the base set was under 1 million total. By comparison, today’s sets sometimes exceed production levels 100 times larger. This naturally makes each individual card much scarcer and more desirable for collectors.
Besides the standout rookie cards, there were other notable star players and photo variations that added to the appeal of the 1987 Fleer set. For example, cards featuring sluggers like Wade Boggs, Darryl Strawberry, and Don Mattingly regularly attract bids in the hundreds of dollars for top-graded examples. Likewise, the Tim Raines ‘error’ card where the player’s name is misspelled “Tug Raines” has been known to sell for over $1,000 due to its one-of-a-kind status. There was also a ‘bat boy’ variation featuring an unfamiliar extra person in shot that is highly collected.
In summarizing what has made the 1987 Fleer baseball issue a true collector’s set of renown, it begins with starring early portrayals of eventually all-time legends like Bonds and McGwire. It also features a one-of-a-kind printing plate card that may be the most significant baseball collectible period. Factor in the very small original print numbers compared to later years and you have a set with inherent scarcity that continues to gain recognition and value decades after its production. For dedicated card collectors, owning a high quality example of a key player from the 1987 Fleer release stands as a trophy acquisition and sound long term investment in the rich history of the hobby.
