The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues in the company’s long history. It was the 66th series produced by Topps and contained 792 total cards, split between traditional sized player and manager cards as well as oversized leader and record breaker cards.
As was customary for Topps releases during this era, the 1987 checklist featured major stars from both the American and National Leagues. Some of the biggest names included Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ryne Sandberg, Rickey Henderson, Dwight Gooden, and Ozzie Smith. The class of rookies debuting in this set made 1987 especially memorable. It introduced future Hall of Famers like Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas to baseball card collectors.
The design for the 1987 Topps cards had a clean, simplistic aesthetic typical of 1980s sports card artwork. A solid colored banner ran across the top containing the team name and position. Below was a centered vertical photo of the player in uniform. To the left was their name and statistics on the reverse. What stood out was the enlarged font size for players’ names, making them readable from a distance at a glance. This standardized appearance allowed for a high volume of cards to be efficiently produced on a tight publishing schedule.
A key factor to the success and popularity of any Topps release is obtaining rights to use team logos and uniforms. The brand had longstanding agreements in place granting these permissions, so fans could enjoy authentic and accurate representations of their favorite clubs and stars. This visual authenticity was particularly appealing to collectors seeking to build complete roster sets that mirrored the current season.
Some notable variations within the 1987 Topps checklist included “Traded” cards updating a player’s team midway through the season due to a deal. Specialty cards were issued highlighting individual and team accomplishments from the previous season. This included “Record Breaker” cards like Roger Clemens’ 20 strikeout performance and “Leader” cards honoring the league batting average champions from 1986 in Wade Boggs and Stan Javier.
While most cards depicted major and minor leaguers active in 1987, the set also contained special tribute issues. This included the hugely popular Donruss-style “Turn Back The Clock” cards recreating iconic moments in baseball history through retro graphics and photography. Fan favorites featured Babe Ruth’s called shot and Bill Mazeroski’s 1960 World Series walk-off home run. There were also “Farewell To…” sendoff cards recognizing the careers of recently retired veteran players.
The 1987 Topps checklist possessed an amazing wealth of young talent that would define the game for decades. This was best exemplified by the rookie cards of superstars Greg Maddux and Frank Thomas. Maddux’s Atlanta Braves rookie card remains one of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards ever produced due to his Hall of Fame career. Meanwhile, Thomas established himself as one of the most feared power hitters in the AL with the Chicago White Sox. Both are staples in collections to this day.
Beyond star rookies, the 1987 set had crossover appeal across all levels of fandom. Regional and minor league issues allowed fans to collect players throughout various baseball systems. Even managers, coaches and officials received dedicated cardboard to spark enthusiasm for the administrative roles powering the sport. The expansive nature of Topps’ coverage ensured something for everyone with an interest in America’s pastime.
When assembled, the 1987 Topps baseball card checklist formed an impressive visual document of that year’s Major League season. In the following decades, it has become regarded as one of the most beloved releases in the hobby’s history. Strong, consistent secondary market values reflect collectors’ affinity for this iconic set from their childhoods. Whether seeking stars, rookies or role players, the 1987 offering had it all – making it invaluable to building a complete collection and understanding where the game’s greats got their start.
