The 1988 Kmart baseball card set is a nostalgic reminder of summertime baseball for many collectors from that era. While the set doesn’t carry the same clout as flagship brands like Topps or Donruss, 1988 Kmart cards have developed a cult following in recent years. Let’s take a deeper look at this unique 1980s set and explore what certain cards may be worth to collectors today.
Kmart issued baseball cards as promotions each year from the late 1970s through the early 1990s. The stores would put packages of cards on shelves for kids to collect. The 1988 set stands out because it featured 432 total cards highlighting players from that current MLB season. While the photography and design quality wasn’t on par with the top brands, Kmart distributed the cards far and wide throughout its stores. This helped the 1988 set achieve wider distribution and recognition compared to other Kmart issues.
In the late 1980s, The United States was in the midst of a nationwide baseball card boom period. Major League Baseball was more popular than ever and collecting cards was a mainstream hobby. With their wide reach, the 1988 Kmart cards benefited from this mass appeal and popularity of the hobby. Many kids who collected them in 1988 still have fond memories of finding packs at Kmart. This nostalgia factor no doubt contributes to the growing interest in the set by modern collectors.
Let’s examine some key cards from the 1988 Kmart baseball set that tend to attract the most interest from collectors today:
Ken Griffey Jr. RC (Rookie Card): Arguably the flagship card of the set. Griffey was already one of the game’s brightest young stars in 1988 and his rookie is the most sought after by collectors. High graded versions in PSA/BGS slabs can reach $150-200.
Barry Bonds RC: Another star-studded rookie, Bonds’ 1988 Kmart RC follows Griffey in popularity. His card still carries more value as a rookie compared to later years due to off-field controversies. Expect to pay $50-75 for a well-centered near mint copy.
Mark McGwire: Big Mac was well on his way to superstardom in 1988 and anything relating to his pre-home run chase years holds value. His Kmart card in near mint condition sells in the $30-50 range.
Ozzie Smith error card: A rare error variation exists where Ozzie Smith is listed as a third baseman instead of shortstop. Only a small number are reported to exist. High graded examples can bring over $500 with the right bidder.
Nolan Ryan: One of the most respected and accomplished pitchers ever, Ryan’s name maintains strong nostalgia value. Near mint to mint copies trade hands for $15-25.
Other stars: Other big names that attract reasonable values include Kirby Puckett ($10-15), Cal Ripken Jr. ($12-18), Don Mattingly ($8-12) and Wade Boggs ($7-10).
Beyond individual star cards, there is also some value to be found in complete set collections depending on centering and condition:
Raw near complete sets (350+ cards): $40-70
Complete raw sets: $75-125
PSA/BGS 9 graded complete sets: $250-350
PSA/BGS 10 graded complete sets: $500-1000+
As with most older sets, higher grades will significantly increase an individual card or complete set’s worth, some that much more than others. The 1988 Kmart issue maintains a cult following and strong nostalgia factor which contributes to the rising values over time. While it lacks the premier status of Flagship brands, dedicated collectors are willing to pay respectable prices for their favorite stars and complete collections from this unique 1980s promotional baseball card set.
The 1988 Kmart baseball card set holds more value today than many likely expected back in 1988. Modern collectors appreciate its widespread distribution, star rookies, and nostalgia appeal from childhood summers. While condition is still very important, even lower grade common versions trade hands as collectors seek to recapture the fun of finding packs at local Kmarts over 30 years ago. The stars of that era remain the most invested cards, but complete runs also hold solid value based on centering and surface quality. The 1988 Kmart issue is a fun and affordable chunk of cardboard history from the peak of baseball’s 1980s boom.
