The 1987 Topps Baseball card set is remembered as one of the most sought after releases of the 1980s. It marked the 65th year anniversary for Topps’ iconic trading cards and featured several future Hall of Famers in their prime. Various storylines and rookie cards captured the nostalgia of baseball fans at the time and still today. Let’s take a deeper look at what made the 1987 Topps set so memorable.
With 714 total cards, the 1987 Topps offering contained traditional team sets as well as special highlight subsets. For the base cards, each team was allocated cards numbered 1-N. The cardboard stock featured bright primary colors on the fronts with player photos and statistics on the backs. Topps’ commitment to baseball history was also evident as the set paid homage to deceased legends with three “In Memoriam” tribute cards.
Top rookie cards from the 1986 season that made their Topps debut in 1987 included future Hall of Famers Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Dennis Eckersley. No rookie was more coveted than Cincinnati Reds outfielder Eric Davis. Davis exploded onto the scene in 1987 by winning the NL MVP award and his card is considered one of the most valuable from the entire set. Other sought after rookies included Bret Saberhagen, Wally Joyner, and Greg Maddux in his first of many stellar campaigns.
Subsets added variety and chase cards for collectors to hunt. The “Record Breakers” subset highlighted notable individual statistical achievements from the previous season. “Team Leaders” included the best player stats from each franchise. An “All-Star Closeups” collection contained cards of the 1986 midsummer classic participants. The set’s most premium cards were found in the “Traded” subset, which paid homage to key player transactions from 1986 by pairing their new team photos with their former clubs. These parallel the modern “Hit” parallels in popularity.
Baseball’s lore was far from forgotten either as innovative subsets brought new fan appreciation. “Thanks” remembered milestones and random acts of gratitude from the previous year. “Quotebooks” showcased humorous baseball quips. Perhaps most significant were the “Turn Back The Clock” cards highlighting signature events from Topps’ first three decades of sets from the 1950s-1970s. These bridged nostalgia between the vintage and modern eras in a special way.
Condition and quality control was a mixed bag throughout the ’80s but the 1987 Topps issue delivered solid durability. The cardboard had just enough stiffness to not be flimsy yet maintained flexibility. Centering remained a minor concern but far exceeded the notorious off-centered Derek Jeter rookie issues from past years. Gumstains and handling marks diminished values less than other eras as well. Overall the condition standards allowed for a widespread collector interest to take shape.
Amidst the baseball nostalgia, the 1987 Topps release also documented historical context beyond the diamond. Tug McGraw’s October 20, 1986 World Series game six winning home run ball for the Mets was immortalized. The death of Red Sox legend Jim Rice’s number 14 was also paid respects. These touches resonated as they simultaneously honored the game’s lore while freezing a moment in baseball period.
Monetarily, the 1987 Topps set took valuation to new heights. Rookie stars like Davis, Saberhagen, and Maddux immediately shot up the price lists in high grades. Investment fervor surrounded notable traded cards as flagship franchises like Yankees and Red Sox were showcased. Thanks to strong authentication methods, condition sensitive high-dollar vintage parallels retained value better than some challenges experienced in the junk wax era. Overall the rising vintage card marketplace of the mid 1980s lifted the 1987 issue.
Three decades later, the 1987 Topps set remains a staple in collections worldwide. The perfect storm of rookie talent, historical context, innovation, and production quality made it a standard. While other years gained flashier chase cards, 1987 captured the pure essence of America’s pastime. Whether reliving childhood summers or pursuing the investment potential, this Topps release continues captivating collectors of all backgrounds. Its staying power is a testament to how transcendent moments in baseball can be preserved through the cardboard culture it inspired for generations.
