The 1988 Topps baseball card set marked the 27th year of production for the famed card company. The iconic design featured players images in action shots with team logos predominately displayed across the bottom. That year Topps released 660 total cards in the base set including future Hall of Famers such as Ozzie Smith, George Brett, and Nolan Ryan.
With the 1988 set now over 30 years old, many of the rookie cards and stars of that vintage hold significant value for collectors. Plenty of 1988 Topps cards remain available through online marketplaces, local card shops, auction sites and more. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the notable 1988 Topps cards that regularly sell and what prices they tend to command in the current market.
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (#158)
Considered one of the most iconic and valuable rookie cards in the modern era, Jr.’s debut Topps issue remains a highly sought after gem. Coming off his impressive 1987 debut season where he hit .326 with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs in 100 games, big things were expected of the young centerfielder. Nearly 35 years later and Griffey would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and is still revered as one of the greats to ever play the game.
In top graded gem mint condition, Griffey Jr.’s 1988 Topps rookie has sold for upwards of $10,000. More common well-centered near mint copies in the PSA/BGS 8-9 range will sell for $500-1500. Even lower graded copies in the 6-7 range can still fetch $100-300 due to the card’s nostalgia and significance in the hobby. No rookie card collection is complete without the famous Air Jordan jumping image of a rookie Griffey.
Greg Maddux Rookie Card (#180)
While not as heralded as some other rookies from the set, Maddux’s debut Topps issue is still a key card for collectors to pursue. The four-time Cy Young award winner and 355 career game winner has proven to be one of the best pitchers in MLB history since breaking in with the Cubs in 1986.
In mint condition, a PSA 10 of Maddux’s rookie has topped $1000 at auction. More available well-centered NMs in the BGS/PSA 8-9 range sell in the $150-400 range. Even lower quality copies still move for $20-100 based solely on Maddux’s pitching excellence and Hall of Fame resume over his 23 year career.
Mark McGwire Rookie Card (#630)
Big Mac’s rookie season saw him bash 49 home runs for the Athletics, a rookie record at the time that started his rise to stardom. His debut Topps card featured one of the most recognized action images from the set with McGwire crushing a ball.
Mint PSA 10 copies of McGwire’s rookie have cracked $2000 at auction amongst serious collectors. Near mint copies in the PSA 8-9 range will bring $300-800. Well-centered lower graded copies in the PSA 6-7 range still sell for $75-200 due to the notoriety of McGwire’s home run feats. Even with steroid controversies, his rookie remains a driving card from the 1988 set.
Barry Larkin Rookie Card (#445)
A career .295 hitter with nearly 2,500 hits and an impressive resume that landed him in the Hall of Fame, Larkin was one of the stars for the Reds throughout the late 80s and 90s. His rookieTopps issue shows promise of what was to come for the shortstop.
In pristine gem mint condition, a PSA 10 Larkin has brought over $1000 at auction. More available PSA/BGS 8-9 near mint copies trade hands between $150-400. Even well-centered lower graded copies in the PSA 6-7 range still attract $20-100 based on Larkin’s elite career. As one of the set’s top rookie shortsops, his card remains a key piece for collectors.
Bob Welch (#11)
Welch went on to win 207 games and two World Series titles over his 16 year big league career after breaking in with the A’s back in 1978. By 1988, Welch was a two-time All Star and had finished third in AL Cy Young voting just two years prior while with the Dodgers.
In PSA 10 condition, Welch’s flagship Topps issue can exceed $500. Near mint PSA/BGS 8-9 grades will sell in the $75-200 area. Even well-centered lower graded copies still attract $5-50 for the veteran pitcher whose career spanned three decades.
Nolan Ryan (#181)
By 1988, Ryan was already a six-time All Star long removed from his early days with the Mets organization. But at age 40, he was still overpowering hitters while pitching for the Astros and on his way to career strikeout mark 7216 – a record that may never be topped.
Ryan’s iconic image on his 1988 Topps issue remains one of the set’s most recognizable. Pristine PSA 10 copies exceed $200 regularly. Near Mints in the PSA 8-9 range sell between $35-100. Even the lower graded copies always attract attention given Ryan’s status as perhaps the greatest power pitcher in MLB annals.
The entire 1988 Topps baseball set remains highly collectible and has proven to stand the test of time. Beyond the above headliners, stars like Rickey Henderson, Wade Boggs, Tony Gwynn, Dennis Eckersley and more are names that continue to pop up regularly in online auction results and sales across the hobby. Whether its chasing rookie gems, All Star variants, team subset short prints or even common players – there are 1988 Topps cards at many different price points for collectors. This vintage is a premier one that remains filled with investment and nostalgia potential for the foreseeable future.
