The 1987 Topps baseball card set was one of the most famous and valuable sets ever produced. Featuring major stars and rookie cards that would go on to have Hall of Fame careers, the ’87 Topps set cemented its place in card collecting history. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the most notable cards from that legendary year.
The 1987 set included 660 total cards and featured many of the game’s biggest stars of the mid-1980s. Nolan Ryan’s card (#1) led things off as the starting pitcher for the Houston Astros held the single season strikeout record at the time. Another Houston starter, Mike Scott (#13) also made the list due to his 1986 Cy Young winning season where he led the NL with a 2.22 ERA.
Rookies populated the lower series with cards like #499 belonging to Mark Grace of the Cubs. Though not considered one of the premier rookie cards from the set, Grace went on to have a fantastic 19-year career hitting over .300 eight times. Card #657 was that of California Angels pitcher Chuck Finley, who threw two no-hitters in his career.
The real stars and most valuable cards of the ’87 Topps set were higher in the series. Rickey Henderson’s card (#141) as an Oakland A’s outfielder is one of the most coveted due to his record-breaking base stealing talents and Hall of Fame career. At the time, Henderson held the single season stolen base record with 130 in 1982. His card today in near mint condition fetches hundreds of dollars.
The mega-stars of the day like Wade Boggs(#156), Roger Clemens(#164), Kirby Puckett(#176) and Ryne Sandberg(#255) all had iconic cards as well. But two rookie cards in particular stand above the rest from the 1987 Topps set – Ken Griffey Jr(#316) and Barry Bonds(#401). Both Griffey and Bonds would go on to have phenomenal careers and are considered two of the best players in MLB history. In near mint condition, their rookie cards now sell for thousands of dollars each.
Griffey’s smooth left-handed swing made him a fan favorite as he broke into the league with the Seattle Mariners in 1987. Though injuries would later slow his career, Griffey slugged over 600 home runs and won 10 Gold Gloves in center field. He was also versatile being able to play all three outfield positions. His rookie card released that year by Topps perfectly captured the excitement around his debut and amazing talents.
Meanwhile, Barry Bonds was just starting to scratch the surface of his Hall of Fame power as a rookie outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. While he only hit 12 home runs his first season, Bonds would go on to break the all-time home run record with 762 in his career. He also won a record seven MVP awards. His rookie card from 1987 showed Bonds in Pirates black and gold – a highly sought after piece of cardboard for card collectors now.
Other notables from the set include the #99 card of Don Mattingly as the Yankees first baseman continued dominating batting titles, #114 Doc Gooden of the Mets as “Dr. K” followed up his Rookie of the Year season, and #133 Mark McGwire of the A’s before he began launching mammoth home runs. The #375 card of Baltimore’s Cal Ripken Jr. also gained prominence years later when he broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record.
In the decades since, the 1987 Topps baseball card set has grown tremendously in popularity and monetary value. As the careers of players featured like Griffey, Bonds, Ripken, McGwire, Clemens and others unfolded, their rookie cards took on new significance. The rise of the internet also boosted interest and research into vintage sets from the 1980s. Today, a complete base set in near mint condition can sell for thousands of dollars. Individual high-end cards like a PSA 10 Griffey or Bonds rookie could fetch five figures or more.
While producers like Topps, Fleer and Donruss released card sets annually, something about the 1987 edition resonated with collectors in a unique way. It was the last hurrah of the junk wax era before the industry crashed in the early 1990s. But the stars and rookie talent featured ensured 1987 Topps would stand the test of time. The combination of iconic photography, household names, and Hall of Famers bonded collectors to this release for generations. As one of the most complete capsules of 1980s baseball ever assembled, the 1987 Topps set is now regarded as a true treasure of the hobby.
