The 1987 Topps baseball card set was released during an era of change for both the baseball card and major league baseball industries. Topps released their standard 792 card set in 1987 that highlighted players from all 26 Major League Baseball teams at the time. This set is notable for several reasons, including the debut of future Hall of Famers, the introduction of new photography techniques, and capturing a period of labor disputes that threatened the upcoming season.
One of the most significant aspects of the 1987 Topps set was that it featured rookie cards for a highly touted group of players who would go on to have outstanding careers. This included future Hall of Famers such as Mark McGwire (card #312), Greg Maddux (card #375), and Tom Glavine (card #470). While none of these rookies made an immediate impact in 1987, collectors recognized their future potential and these cards have substantially increased in value over the past few decades. Of particular note is McGwire’s rookie card, as he would go on to hit a then-record 70 home runs in 1998 and establish himself as one of the game’s most feared power hitters.
Beyond strong rookie talent, the 1987 set featured established stars who were entering their prime such as Wade Boggs (card #22), Ozzie Smith (card #119), and Tim Raines (card #360). Raines in particular was coming off a season where he led the National League in stolen bases, batting average, and on-base percentage in 1986. His impressive performance helped make his Topps card more desirable to collectors at the time compared to earlier in his career. Other seasoned veterans with significant cards in the 1987 set included Mike Schmidt (card #58), George Brett (card #73), and Tony Gwynn (card #488).
From a photography standpoint, the 1987 Topps set began experimenting with new techniques and card designs. For the first time, Topps incorporated action shots and posed photos on the same card surface. Prior to 1987, sets generally contained either action photography or posed portraits consistently throughout. By blending the two styles, Topps was able to provide more visual variety for collectors. Closer cropping sizes and experimentation with off-centered posed shots brought more dynamism to card designs. While not a radical departure, these modest adjustments reflected Topps’ effort to keep traditions while gradually modernizing its seminal baseball card product.
Behind the scenes, the baseball industry was in a state of flux entering the 1987 season that had ramifications for Topps and its card release. Major League Baseball was dealing with ongoing labor disputes between team owners and players that threatened to cancel the season. This culminated in a two-week spring training lockout that delayed the start of the regular season. As a result, Topps went to print without finalized team rosters or knowledge of late offseason transactions. Some cards ended up featuring players on the wrong teams or missing players who were traded right before the season. While a blemish, it captured the turmoil surrounding the sport at that moment in time.
Once the season commenced, stars like Andre Dawson (card #256) and Don Mattingly (card #527) led their teams to division titles. Others such as Eric Davis (card #208) and Mark McGwire posted breakout seasons. For collectors at the time, following the 1987 rookie class and that year’s top performers held great interest, especially with questions around whether the labor issues would permanently damage the game. Topps’ release benefited from spotlighting a season that restored stability and saw talented young cores develop across MLB.
In the decades since, the 1987 Topps set has gained esteem among collectors for documenting a crossover period. Future Hall of Fame careers launched alongside established stars and labor discord captured the dynamics shaping the game. Key rookie cards like McGwire’s have appreciated tremendously, while stars of the era remain widely sought after. The photos blending action and portraits previewed evolution also within Topps’ production. The 1987 set endures for commemorating a year when unknown potential emerged and challenges threatened baseball’s prosperity anew each day, as ever does within its story.
