The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues in the entire franchise’s history. Featuring 660 total cards, the ’87 Topps set showcased some of the biggest stars and best teams from the 1986 MLB season. No player loomed larger that year than Texas Rangers right-hander Nolan Ryan, who graced the cover in one of his most memorable baseball card appearances ever.
Ryan had established himself as one of baseball’s most dominating pitchers by 1987, entering his age-40 season with over 4,000 career strikeouts to his name. In 1986, he went 16-10 with a 2.76 ERA and 225 strikeouts for the Rangers, leading the American League in K’s for the 10th time in his career. Ryan’s outstanding season earned him the #1 spot in the 1987 Topps issue, featuring a close-up action photo of the intimidating flamethrower winding up to deliver one of his blazing fastballs.
The ’87 Topps Nolan Ryan card stands out for several reasons. For one, it perfectly captures Ryan’s intensity on the mound, with his gritted teeth and fiery eyes communicating the intensity and competitiveness that had long defined his playing style. Seeing Ryan in mid-delivery made for an incredibly dynamic and dramatic cover image. Adding to the card’s iconic status was the fact it spotlighted Ryan during arguably the prime of his career, as he was still regularly topping 100 mph in his fastball into his late 30s and early 40s.
Interestingly, Ryan’s lone 1987 Topps card does not list any of his impressive statistical accomplishments from 1986. This was likely due to the card being finalized and sent to print before the season had fully concluded. Despite the omission of stats, the raw energy and explosiveness conveyed through Ryan’s full-effort pitching motion said it all. His no-nonsense, hard-throwing approach made him the perfect symbol to represent the raw competitiveness of America’s pastime.
Due in large part to its showcase of the legendary Nolan Ryan at the peak of his powers, the 1987 Topps issue is beloved by collectors today. In near-mint condition, PSA-graded examples of Ryan’s flagship card today sell for thousands of dollars. The cover artwork in particular has become one of the most iconic baseball card images of all time. Countless fans still have vivid memories of first seeing young Ryan staring back at them from the front of their 1987 Topps packs during childhood.
While not listing his stats, the 1987 Topps Nolan Ryan card did include some brief career highlights up to that point. It noted his four career no-hitters, led by his record fifth no-hitter thrown on September 26, 1981. It also gave credit to his then-record 329 career games started. Of course, Ryan would shatter numerous other career records in the years after his ’87 Topps appearance, including strikeouts and career wins, cementing his legacy as perhaps the greatest power pitcher in MLB history.
Within the full 1987 Topps set itself, Ryan’s action-packed cover image is followed by his main base card tucked inside at card number 462. This interior card finally provides stats from Ryan’s phenomenal 1986 season, including his 16-10 record, 2.76 ERA and 225 strikeouts. Clean-cut in his Rangers uniform, Ryan stares directly at the camera with an intimidating 1,000-yard stare that seems to dare any batter to step into the box against him. Even at age 40, Ryan remained the most feared righty in the game.
While highly memorable for its iconic showcase of the great Nolan Ryan, the 1987 Topps issue also featured several other talented ballplayers and teams from the ’86 campaign. Stars like Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Rickey Henderson and Jose Canseco all received prominent base cards early in the set. The World Series champion New York Mets were well-represented too, with memorable cards for Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry and Gary Carter. Rated sets from the mid-1980s are also known for their fun extras like manager cards, league leader cards and playoff summary cards added to the end.
In the 35 years since its original release, the 1987 Topps baseball card set has grown to legendary status among collectors both young and old. Nobody represents the vintage issue’s greatness better than the intimidating, and striking action image of Nolan Ryan featured so prominently on its iconic cover. Whether judging cards based on stats, storylines or just sheer artistic beauty, Ryan’s ’87 Topps cover stands above virtually all others as perhaps the single greatest baseball card ever produced.
