The 1988 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable issues from the late 1980s. Issued at the height of the baseball card boom, the ’88 Fleer set showcased great future Hall of Famers and rising young stars. While the set does not have quite the same cachet as the iconic 1952 Topps or 1957 Topps sets, certain 1988 Fleer cards have skyrocketed in value in recent years. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable and desirable cards from this vintage 35-year old set.
The true cover boy for the 1988 Fleer set is Roger Clemens, featured prominently on the pack wrappers and box fronts. Clemens’ card #1 is one of the most sought after rookie cards from the late 1980s. In near mint condition, Clemens’ rookie card currently sells for around $800-1000. Graded mint 9 or higher examples can fetch $2000-4000 at auction based on recent sales. What makes Clemens’ rookie so valuable is he went on to capture a record seven Cy Young Awards and stake his claim as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. For collectors looking to add a true icon to their portfolio, a pristine Clemens rookie provides fantastic returns.
Another superstar pitcher who made his Fleer debut in 1988 was Orel Hershiser. After winning both the Cy Young and World Series MVP award in 1988 by leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a championship, Hershiser’s rookie Fleer card skyrocketed in demand. In top grades of mint 9 or greater, Hershiser’s card consistently sells in the $500-800 range. Like Clemens, an intact near mint copy in the $100-200 range makes for a solid addition to any collection. Hershiser went on to have a long and successful career, cementing the value of his legendary ’88 rookie issue.
The third most desirable rookie card from the 1988 Fleer set belongs to Tim Belcher. Though not a household name today, Belcher had a solid 16 year MLB career and at one point showed ace-like potential. His shiny Fleer rookie is one of the more visually striking from the set. In top grades of mint 9 or above, Belcher’s rookie has been known to reach over $500. Most ungraded near mint copies you’ll find listed between $75-150. For Beltcher completists, this is a must-have that represents one of his best seasons statistically.
In terms of established superstars, two Hall of Famers stand out far and away from the 1988 Fleer checklist- Ryne Sandberg and Ozzie Smith. Sandberg, arguably the greatest second baseman of all time, is featured on card #56. High-grade versions regularly cost $75-150. The true blue chip from this set is Card #1- Ozzie Smith. Not only is Smith typically regarded as the greatest defensive shortstop ever, his trademark backflips made him one of the most exciting and popular players of the 1980s. Higher graded versions of Smith’s card in the 8.5-9 range will set you back $400-600. Even well-centered near mint copies fetch $150-250. This is one of the true crown jewels from Fleer’s 1988 offering.
While rookies and future Hall of Famers garner top dollar, perhaps no other 1988 Fleer card reflects the boom period mania quite like Mark McGwire’s #349 issue. One of the first true “Muscle Era” stars, McGwire blasted a then rookie record 49 home runs in 1987. His massively powerful physique and slugging prowess made Big Mac an instant fan favorite. Near mint McGwire rookies sell consistently for $75-150. Higher graded gems at PSA 8.5 or above have been known to command over $500 with the right bidding war. McGwire’s legacy is of course complicated by steroid allegations later in his career. But for nostalgia and ’80s baseball card appeal, his ’88 Fleer remains a potent symbol of the boom years.
While it does not have the same iconic status as the great vintage 1950s/1960s sets from Topps, 1988 Fleer holds tremendous nostalgia and significance as arguably the definitive baseball card issue of the 1980s collector boom. Rivaled perhaps only by 1987 Topps and 1989 Upper Deck, cards like Clemens, Hershiser, Smith, Sandberg and McGwire represent the biggest names and talents from that era. Higher graded examples in the $500-1000 range offer still reasonable entry into elite rookie cards of all-time greats like Clemens while mid-range versions provide budget access to stars like Smith and McGwire. Overall, 1988 Fleer endures as one of the most iconic and entertaining issues to collect from the modern era.
