The 1988 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic sets in the modern era. With 525 total cards printed, the ’88 Fleer issue featured some true heavy hitters that would go on to become extremely valuable. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most notable rookie and star cards from the 1988 Fleer release.
Perhaps the most famous card from the set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was already wildly popular coming up through the minor leagues due to his electrifying play style and pedigree as the son of a major leaguer. Stepping right into the Mariners lineup as a 19-year-old, Griffey blasted 24 home runs in just 100 games to finish second in rookie of the year voting. His rookie card would rocket to the top of want lists for collectors everywhere. Today, high grade Griffey rookies in PSA 10 condition regularly sell for over $10,000 due to his iconic status in the game.
Another huge star rookie in 1988 was San Diego Padres shortstop Garry Templeton. Templeton had bounced around a few teams in his early career but found a home in San Diego in 1987. He hit .288 with 44 steals to earn the starting job full time. His rookie Fleer card shows Templeton swinging the bat from the left side. While not as valuable as fellow ’88 rookies like Griffey, high grade Templeton rookies still fetch hundreds of dollars on the secondary market.
Mark McGwire’s Fleer rookie landed in the 1988 set as well. While he didn’t explode onto the scene power-wise like he would later, McGwire still smacked 16 homers and drove in 77 runs in just 108 games for the A’s as a 24-year-old rookie. Images of his hulking physique and left-handed swing made his Fleer RC very desirable, though it has since been overshadowed by other more prolific McGwire rookie cards from different brands. Still, pristine McGwire ’88 Fleers sell for $100-200 today.
Superstar reliever Dennis Eckersley also earned a rookie card in 1988 Fleer even though he had been in the league since 1975. Eckersley was dealt from the Cubs to the A’s before the 1988 season and reinvented himself as one of the game’s top closers. He would go on to set the single season save record with 51 in 1992 en route to Hall of Fame induction. His iconic rookie Fleer showing him closing out a game is a highly collected piece of cardboard from the set.
The ’88 Fleer issue also included several other established all-stars at the height of their powers. Arguably the most famous non-rookie was Oakland Athletics slugger Jose Canseco. After launching 33 homers in 1986 and 42 in 1987, Canseco exploded with an MVP and Rookie of the Year campaign in 1988—blasting 42 dingers with 117 RBI and leading the A’s to a pennant. His swinging action pose became a defining baseball card image of the late 80s boom. Today, high grade Canseco ’88 Fleers can sell for hundreds.
Another superstar A’s card was all-universe shortstop Walt Weiss. Weiss enjoyed his best offensive season in 1987, batting .305 with 33 steals, and his defense was Gold Glove caliber as always. His sweet lefty swing captured for collectors on his ’88 Fleer issue remains a highly coveted piece for Oakland fans. Rounding out the A’s contingent, slugging first baseman/DH Dave Parker also earned inclusion after putting up another 20-homer campaign in green and gold.
Additional big name stars that landed ’88 Fleer cards included Twins hurler and 1987 AL Cy Young winner Frank Viola striking his characteristic pose, power hitting Cubs first baseman Mark Grace in his second major league season,Expos ace Dennis Martinez on the heels of consecutive 20-win campaigns, Yankees dynasty-era holdovers Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield, and Padres fireballer Eric Show.
In terms of inserting rarer chase cards to incentivize collections, Fleer included parallel short prints of stars like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, and Nolan Ryan at a ratio of around 1:90 packs. They also offered error variations like a photo negative Rickey Henderson card that is hugely valuable today. The 1988 Fleer baseball set is still considered among the most collectible of all time thanks to its star power and memorable rookie debuts that have become iconic in card collecting lore.
