The 1988 Score baseball card set is considered one of the best and most valuable sets from the 1980s. While it didn’t feature any true superstar rookies, it did include key rookie cards of solid future major leaguers as well as stars’ cards that are highly sought after by collectors today due to its iconic designs and photography. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the 1988 Score cards that can be worth good money in today’s market for collectors and investors.
One of the most valuable 1988 Score rookie cards is that of San Francisco Giants starter Scott Garrelts. Garrelts went on to have a solid 11-year MLB career primarily as a starter for the Giants. What makes his rookie card especially sought after is the rarity factor. It’s believed only about 100 of his rookie card were printed, making it one of the scarcest in the entire set. In top graded gem mint condition, a PSA 10 Garrelts rookie has sold for over $4,000. Even lower graded examples in EX-MT condition can still fetch $300-500.
Another relatively obscure but valuable rookie is that of Chicago White Sox reliever Bobby Thigpen. Thigpen wouldn’t emerge as a star until 1990 when he set the single-season saves record with 57. Collectors recognize his 1988 Score issue as the true rookie card. Higher graded versions have sold for $800-1200 in recent years with EX-MT copies bringing in $150-300. Thigpen is a good example of how market values can be driven higher by achievement down the road versus just rookie status alone.
Two future Hall of Famers also have highly sought 1988 Score rookie cards – Cal Ripken Jr. and Ozzie Smith. Ripken was already establishing himself as one of baseball’s best all-around players by 1988. PSA 10 copies of his ’88 Score rookie have sold for over $1,000 with most EX-MTs bringing $150-350. The Wizard Ozzie Smith was in his prime with the Cards in ’88 and collectors love his iconic defensive pose on his rookie card. High graded PSA 10 Smith rookies have reached $800 with EX-MT closer to $100-200 range.
Besides rookies, collectors flock to star players’ base cards from this set as well. Arguably the most valuable is that of Boston Red Sox great Wade Boggs. By 1988, Boggs was already a five-time batting champ and the face of the Red Sox franchise. His trademark stance and technique are captured perfectly on his ’88 Score card. PSA 10 Boggs regularly sell for $500-800 with most EX-MT copies at $75-150.
Another Red Sox legend with a highly-prized ’88 Score issue is Roger Clemens. By his fifth MLB season in 1988, “Rocket” Clemens was already considered one of baseball’s most intimidating hurlers on his way to a Hall of Fame career. His classic windup is preserved on his base card in this set which has reached $400-600 in PSA 10 condition, with EX-MTs around $80-150.
Arguably the biggest star on the 1988 baseball landscape was Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser. After his record-setting 59 consecutive scoreless innings during the 1988 season, collector demand for his ’88 Score card skyrocketed. Top graded PSA 10 and BVG 9 examples routinely sell for over $300-500 given his celebrity status at the time. Even well-centered EX-MT Hershiser base cards can go for $75-150.
Speaking of dominant Dodgers pitchers, another sought-after ’88 Score regular issue is that of future Hall of Famer Don Sutton. By 1988, Sutton was wrapping up his Hall of Fame career but collectors love adding a card from one of the game’s most accomplished right-handed hurlers to their collections. Higher graded Suttons in PSA 10 and BVG 9 quality have sold in the $200-400 range. EX-MT copies still fetch $50-150.
While star players drive the biggest prices, there are certain subsets and insert cards from 1988 Score that hold value as well. The Diamonds subset, featuring top players photographed with diamond backgrounds, are popular with collectors. A PSA 10 graded Rickey Henderson from this subset has reached $400 while an EX-MT Kirby Puckett sold for $130. The League Leader subset, highlighting statistical champions, has also garnered collector interest. A PSA 10 Wade Boggs from this subset sold for $250.
Thirty four years later the 1988 Score baseball set remains a highly collectible issue, especially for classic rookie cards of big leaguers like Cal Ripken, Ozzie Smith, and Bobby Thigpen. Demand is also very strong for fantastic action shots and iconic poses of superstars in their prime like Roger Clemens, Orel Hershiser, and Wade Boggs. For condition-sensitive collectors, securing high graded PSA 10 or BVG 9 examples of these valuable cards could prove a sound long-term investment. But even well-centered near-mint copies still hold value, making this entire vintage set worth digging for in the collection box.
