The 1987 Topps baseball card set featured 792 total cards and was the last year before the MLBPA licensing agreement that began in 1988. As a result, the 1987 set holds great nostalgia and popularity among collectors. Several iconic rookie cards from future Hall of Famers were first issued in the ’87 Topps set as well. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable and desirable 1987 Topps baseball cards:
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (#90): Widely considered one of the best rookie cards of all time, Griffey’s 1987 debut is the crown jewel of the set. Cardinals pitcher Andy Benes actually appears on the checklist at #90 but his card was omitted so Griffey could have that coveted low number. In pristine mint condition, Griffey Jr.’s rookie card can fetch over $10,000. Even well-centered Near Mint copies sell for $4,000-$6,000. Griffey would go on to become a 13-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner in his Hall of Fame career.
Barry Larkin Rookie Card (#653): Larkin burst onto the MLB scene in 1986 but wasn’t included in the ’86 Topps set since it went to print prior to his debut. Thus, his first baseball card is the 1987 Topps issue. Larkin went on to win the 1995 NL MVP award and amass nearly 2,400 hits in his 19-year career, which earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame. PSA 10 Gem Mint Larkin rookies trade hands for $1,500-$2,000.
Greg Maddux Rookie Card (#480): Maddux began his legendary career with the Chicago Cubs in 1986 but, like Larkin, missed the ’86 Topps set. His rookie card saw him sporting Cubs pinstripes. Maddux would go on to rack up 355 wins and 4 Cy Young Awards over a 23-year career. Pristine PSA 10 copies sell for $800-$1,200 currently.
Tom Glavine Rookie Card (#456): Another Hall of Fame starter who debuted in 1987, Glavine’s Topps rookie shows him as a member of the Atlanta Braves. Glavine racked up 305 career wins and two Cy Youngs mostly with the Braves and Mets. A PSA 10 Gem Mint Glavine rookie easily fetches over $500.
Rafael Palmeiro Rookie Card (#679): One of the early stars of the ’87 Topps rookie class, Palmeiro slammed 430 home runs and tallied over 3,000 hits in his career before PED allegations tarnished his legacy. Still, his rookie remains iconic from the powerful 1987 set. In PSA 10 condition they sell in the $300-$500 range.
Bip Roberts Rookie Card (#90): Better known as part of the all-rookie quartet in the ’87 Fleer set, Roberts’ Topps issue features him with the Milwaukee Brewers. A talented speedster and hitter, injuries limited Roberts’ career. Still, as one of the lesser-known ’87 rookies, his pristine graded Topps rookie trades for $150-$250.
Bo Jackson Rookie Card (#645): While Jackson never achieved MLB stardom due to injuries, his short career and fame from endorsements keeps his rookie in demand. The card features Bo tearing it up as an NFL and MLB talent. High-grade PSA 10 Jackson rookies sell for $100-and-up regularly.
Ozzie Smith Record Breakers Card (#768): This special insert card celebrates Smith breaking the single season fielding percentage record in 1987. The “Wizard of Oz” was a wizard with the glove throughout his Hall of Fame career. High-grade versions of this sought-after parallel card command $80-and-up.
Darryl Strawberry Update Card: Strawberry is photographed in New York Mets duds on this “Traded” update card after being dealt from the Dodgers in 1987. Even low-numbered graded examples fetch $50-$75 for collectors.
While star rookies of Griffey, Maddux, and Larkin understandably garner top dollar, other key cards like Palmeiro, Glavine, and Smith provide tremendous value for collectors on a budget. Factor in the nostalgia of the players’ early days and the allure of the 1987 design, and it’s easy to see why collectors remain so enthusiastic about chasing stars from the premier Topps baseball card set from 1987. Over three decades later, these classic cardboard issues maintain their mystique in the vintage market.
