The 1987 baseball card season produced some of the most iconic and valuable rookie cards of all time. Several future Hall of Famers made their card debuts that year, along with numerous stars who went on to have impressive major league careers. While the junk wax era had begun in the late 1980s, flooding the market with mass-produced cards, certain 1987 rookies have maintained and even increased in value due to the elite caliber of players featured.
One of the most sought-after 1987 rookie cards is that of Toronto Blue Jays right fielder José Canseco. As one of the first true five-tool sluggers of his era, Canseco broke into the majors in 1985 but his rookie card was not produced until the 1987 Donruss set. Featuring dynamic action photography of the young slugger’s powerful swing, the Canseco rookie has maintained a high peg due to his status as the first 40/40 player in MLB history. Graded PSA 10 examples regularly fetch thousands of dollars at auction. Another coveted Blue Jays card is pitcher Dave Stieb’s rookie, as he appeared in only 70 career games but his strange delivery and mustache made for an eye-catching visual.
Arguably the most valuable 1987 rookie is that of New York Yankees shortstop Walt Weiss. Although he did not post huge offensive numbers in his 15-year career, Weiss’ solid defense and career .978 fielding percentage made him a steady regular for almost a decade and a half. Due to his uniqueness as a middle infielder with glasses and his impressive career, even low-grade Weiss rookies command over $100. Hall of Famer Greg Maddux also debuted in 1987 for the Chicago Cubs and though he was just a rookie, his pinpoint control was already evident based on his delivery. High-grade Maddux rookies have sold for over $10,000 at auction.
Two other all-time pitching greats debuted their rookie cards in 1987 – Toronto’s Roger Clemens and Baltimore’s Curt Schilling. Like Maddux, Clemens and Schilling exhibited pinpoint control very early in their careers. The Clemens rookie holds extreme value due to his status as a seven-time Cy Young Award winner. Even well-worn PSA 5 examples can fetch $1,000. Schilling’s striking delivery and intimidating stare made for a unique visual on his rookie that has also maintained value well. For position players, Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt had one of the final rookie cards produced before his Hall of Fame career concluded after the 1989 season.
Several current broadcasters and managers also had noteworthy 1987 rookies. Current ESPN analyst Eduardo Pérez played over a decade in the majors as a versatile utilityman and his rookie card depicts him as a member of the Montreal Expos. Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell had a steady career as an above-average offensive second baseman, depicted in his rookie worn Angels uniform. St. Louis Cardinals skipper Oliver Marmol, then just a prospect in the Padres system, had one of the lowest printed rookie cards from 1987.
While certainly not all, there were plenty of quality veteran stars featured in the 1987 sets as well. Toronto slugger George Bell won the 1987 AL MVP and his card remains a popular Blue Jays issue. Cincinnati Reds pitchers Tom Browning and Rob Dibble had accomplished seasons in 1987 on their way to distinguished careers. Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan’s final season with the Astros was chronicled on his 1987 inserts while Rickey Henderson stole a record 130 bases splitting the year between the Athletics and Yankees.
While 1987 was right in the midst of the junk wax era, certain star rookie cards and veterans from that season have shown resilience due to achievement on the field. Names like Canseco, Maddux, Clemens, Weiss and others remain highly sought after by collectors even decades later. With the hobby still booming, values of premium 1987 gems continue increasing for those who may have saved their childhood collections in attics all these years.
