The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most coveted issues in the modern era by collectors. While it lacked some of the true rookie cards of legendary players seen in sets from the 1950s and 1960s, the ’87 Topps release featured several young stars who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers. As a result, many of the top rookie and star cards from that set have skyrocketed in value over the past 30+ years.
Perhaps the most sought-after and valuable card from the 1987 Topps set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of if not the best player of his generation, Griffey’s smooth left-handed swing and effortless style of play made him a fan favorite throughout his career. His debut Topps card, featuring him in a Seattle Mariners uniform, has become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the ’87 checklist. In top gem mint condition, Griffey rookies have sold for over $100,000 and typically fetch thousands of dollars even in well-worn copies. The card’s scarcity also contributes to its premium – Griffey’s rookie card had one of the lowest print runs of any in the set.
Another gigantic whale from the 1987 release is the Frank Thomas rookie card. Like Griffey, “The Big Hurt” established himself as one of the best pure hitters in MLB history during his Hall of Fame career primarily spent with the Chicago White Sox. Thomas smashed 521 home runs and racked up a career .301 average and .419 on-base percentage. High-grade copies of his Topps rookie in White Sox duds have reached the $15,000 range, while most graded examples still command four-figure prices due to his elite statistical profile.
The 1987 Topps set also presented rookie cards for a pair of other two-time MVPs and future Cooperstown inductees – Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds. While Bonds’ cardboard debut didn’t feature him in his more famous Pittsburgh Pirates uniform, his prodigious talent was already on full display and apparent on his rookie card as a San Francisco Giant. PSA 10 Bonds rookies have recently brought over $11,000 at auction. McGwire’s first Topps issue is nearly as coveted, not only because of his 70 HR season with Oakland but also his memorable home run chase with Sammy Sosa in 1998 that helped revive national interest in baseball. Near-mint McGwire rookies stay north of $5,000.
In addition to multiple Hall of Fame-caliber rookies, the ’87 Topps set contains several highly-valued star cards that have endured and appreciated dramatically. For instance, the Kirby Puckett card has become beloved thanks to his pivotal role in Minnesota’s World Series championships and cheerful demeanor. Pristine Puckett cards have exceeded $10,000. Likewise, the Derek Jeter rookie has grown to six-figure status despite not truly being his first cardboard appearance – partly because he symbolized the resurgence of the New York Yankees franchise in the late 1990s.
The 1987 baseball card allure also extends to other legendary players featured prominently in the set near the height of their powers. Update or traded issue versions of the Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, and Ozzie Smith cards routinely earn four figures. The Nolan Ryan expressionless portrait frequently tops $500 due to his inimitable longevity and strikeout records. As one of the most accomplished right-handed hurlers ever, a mint Ryan card remains a cherished piece of memorabilia for both casual and diehard collectors.
In the decades since its initial run, the allure and mystique of the 1987 Topps baseball card set has grown tremendously. While it may lack some of the true pioneer rookie cards of the 1950s-1960s, it remains one of the most valuable modern issues and contains the cardboard debuts of multiple icons who would define the sport for generations to come. Keys like the Griffey, Thomas, McGwire, and Bonds rookies are predictably at the epicenter of the set’s stratospheric values. But several star cards have also achieved legendary status on their own due to indelible player performances and careers after 1987. As the vintage card market only expands, flagship Topps releases like ’87 are sure to retain immense interest and desirability, even well into the 21st century.
