The 1987 Topps baseball card set marked the 25th anniversary of Topps’ iconic baseball card production. With 792 total cards in the base set, the 1987 issue contained many rookie cards and memorable players that have stood the test of time. Several factors contribute to what makes certain 1887 cards among the most valuable in the hobby today. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most coveted and expensive 1987 Topps baseball cards.
Perhaps the single most valuable baseball card from the 1987 set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Often considered one of if not the best baseball cards ever produced, the Griffey Jr. rookie is the undisputed holy grail for collectors from this era. Griffey was already viewed as a can’t-miss superstar coming up through the Seattle Mariners system in the late 1980s. He didn’t disappoint, going on to have a Hall of Fame career and leaving an indelible mark on the game.
Griffey’s rookie card showcases him in the iconic Mariners uniforms with solid blue front and sleeves with navy pinstripes and trident logo. What makes this specific rookie so highly sought after is the perfect storm of factors – Griffey’s iconic career and likeness, the card’s extremely limited print run from Topps in 1987, and its impeccable design that has stood the test of time. In high grade it’s not unusual to see PSA 10 Griffey rookies sell for well over $100,000. Even well-centered near-mint copies can fetch $10,000+. It’s truly one of the most elite rookie cards ever produced.
Another huge star from the 1987 set is Barry Bonds. Like Griffey, Bonds was already displaying his prodigious five-tool talent very early in his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His rookie card shows him in the classic Pirates black and gold uniforms. Bonds went on to have one of the best careers in baseball history and repeatedly rewrote the record books, making his rookie one of the most historically significant. In high grades it consistently sells for well over $1,000 due to its subject’s hallowed status in the game.
Rookies of other all-time greats like Mark McGwire also hold significant value. Big Mac’s rookie exposes him swinging away for the Athletics in their classic green and gold color scheme. McGwire burst onto the scene by blasting 49 home runs in his rookie campaign of 1987, setting the rookie record. He went on to smash the single-season home run record of 70 just a decade later. High-grade 1987 McGwire rookies can reach $500-700.
While star players drive the bulk of valuable 1987 cards, there are also several key short prints and error cards that command top dollar. The most notorious and expensive short print is the Riffer Torre manager card, highlighting him in a Baltimore Orioles uniform despite never playing for them. Due to an error in production, only 10-25 of these “Orioles” Torre cards are believed to exist. In pristine condition they can eclipse $25,000 sales.
Other highly sought short prints include the Dennis Eckersley Athletics card, only approximately 50 of which were printed. High-grade examples have recently sold for over $10,000. The Steve Sax Dodgers short print also typically commands well over $1,000 due its rarity.
Hidden gems and oddball cards can also hold great value. The Mike Schmidt Futures card showcasing a teenage version of the future Hall of Famer has sold for $3,000 in Mint condition. The unique Steve Carlton Vikings Football card, mistakenly portraying the pitcher in a football uniform instead of his Phillies duds, has reached over $4,000 for quality copies.
Condition, of course, is absolutely critical for maximizing return on valuable 1987 cardboard. Low-grade examples of even the best rookie cards may only yield a few hundred dollars. To truly capitalize, collectors need pristine copies fresh from manufacturing in Near Mint to Mint status. These elite condition copies will exponentially multiply in value versus lower graded counterparts.
While inflation and increases in population have inevitably driven up prices over the decades, the 1987 Topps set remains a premier investment and collecting opportunity. Its mixture of all-time franchise players, impact rookies, andproduction anomalies make it a classic within the hobby. For serious collectors, owning high-quality examples of the headlining Griffey, Bonds and McGwire rookies, as well as the elusive Riffer Torre short print, represents owning some of the crowning jewels from the 1980s trading card boom. Their cachet, rarity, and historical significance should ensure they remain hugely valuable for years to come.
The perfect storm of future Hall of Fame talents and rare production variations have cemented many 1987 Topps baseball cards among the most prized and investment-worthy commodities in the hobby. Cards like the Griffey Jr. and Bonds rookies as well as errors like the Torre short print highlight the set’s enduring appeal and establish it as a pinnacle release from the golden era of the sport. For avid collectors, owning a high-quality sampling of these elite ’87 cards represents a true collecting accomplishment and sound long term portfolio holding.
