The 1987 Topps baseball card set featured some of the biggest names in the game, including Keith Hernandez’s recognizable mugshot on card number 226. Hernandez was a veteran star first baseman for the New York Mets coming off a World Series championship in 1986. His card captured him in the midst of another stellar season that would help propel the Mets back to the postseason.
By 1987, Hernandez had established himself as one of the premier defensive first basemen in baseball history. He had already won four Gold Glove Awards and would go on to win two more before his career was over. Hernandez took as much pride in his defense as he did his offense, constantly studying opposing hitters so he knew exactly where to position himself for each pitcher-batter matchup. His strong and accurate arm was also a valuable asset for turning double plays.
At the plate, Hernandez was a talented hitter who could spray line drives to all fields. Though he lacked traditional power, he had a keen eye at the plate which led to a career .296 batting average. In 1987, the 33-year-old Hernandez batted .297 with 7 home runs and 54 RBI for the Mets. He remained a reliable run producer at the top of their lineup.
Hernandez was also renowned for his obsessive-compulsive behavior both on and off the field. He was legendary for controlling every aspect of his equipment from his uniform to his batting gloves. His pre-game rituals were meticulously planned out. Hernandez even admittedly double- and triple-checked situations in his mind during games to ensure he had not missed any detail. While some found his quirks amusing or off-putting, it was clear Hernandez’s preparation and attention to detail contributed greatly to his sustained excellence over a 15-year MLB career.
The 1987 season marked Hernandez’s fifth year with the Mets after beginning his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. By this point, he had emerged as a veteran team leader both through his words and example. Dubbed “Captain Keith” by fans and media, Hernandez helped set the tone for a hard-working, detail-oriented Mets clubhouse culture. His fellow players looked up to and respected him enormously.
That 1987 Mets team was loaded with stars, including slugging first baseman/outfielder Darryl Strawberry, ace pitchers Dwight Gooden and David Cone, and future Hall of Famer Gary Carter behind the plate. Managed by the beloved Davey Johnson, New York stormed to a 100-60 record, easily winning the National League East division title. Hernandez played in all 160 games and batted third in the lineup, contributing mightily to the team’s offensive consistency.
In the NLCS against the Cardinals, Hernandez exploded at the plate. He went 10-for-19 with 2 doubles, driving in 4 runs as the Mets won the series three games to none. His multidimensional contributions—both with the leather and lumber—were critical to defeating an equally talented St. Louis squad. Hernandez was named NLCS MVP for his heroic performance.
The Mets then faced the powerhouse Minnesota Twins in the 1987 World Series. In a dramatic seven-game series, Hernandez recorded multiple clutch hits and made several standout defensive plays. In one of the signature moments, he dove for a tricky bouncing ground ball in Game 6 with two outs in the ninth inning and no-hopped an off-balance throw from his backside that barely nipped Kent Hrbek at first base to keep the Mets’ rally and season alive. They would go on to win that game and clinch the championship the following night.
Hernandez’s 1987 Topps card perfectly encapsulated his reputation as a crafty, consummate professional at the height of his fame with the Mets dynasty. The photo shows him in a batting stance, bat up and back as he peers intensely at the camera through his trademark aviator sunglasses. His no-nonsense expression radiated Hernandez’s take-no-prisoners approach to the game. The card captured not just an individual player’s likeness, but also an era and identity for an iconic New York franchise in the midst of a golden age.
For collectors and fans of 80s baseball, Keith Hernandez’s 1987 Topps card remains one of the most memorable and respected in the set. It serves as a tribute to a leader, a champion, and one of the sport’s all-time greatest defensive first basemen. Hernandez went on to have several more productive seasons before retiring in 1990. His superb play and “take charge” personality as the Mets’ Captain helped cement his legacy as one of the franchise’s most beloved stars.
