Mark McGwire, nicknamed Big Mac, played in Major League Baseball from 1986 to 2001 primarily as a first baseman. He spent the bulk of his career with the Oakland Athletics from 1987 to 1997, followed by stints with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1997 to 2001. McGwire holds many MLB home run records and was one of the first players to draw widespread media attention for his power hitting abilities. His accomplishments made him one of the most collection-worthy players for collector of Topps baseball cards during the late 1980s through the late 1990s.
McGwire’s rookie season in 1987 was highly anticipated after he smashed 49 home runs in AAA the prior season. That year, Topps immortalized McGwire’s debut in their 1987 baseball card set with card #550. The photography on the card features McGwire smiling in an Athletics home uniform with his name and number prominently displayed on his jersey. While simple in design, the card foreshadowed McGwire’s future stardom and remains one of the most iconic rookie cards from the late 1980s. High grade copies of the ’87 McGwire rookie in near-mint to mint condition currently sell for $100-200 despite being printed in extremely high numbers.
McGwire’s breakout season came in 1988 when he led the American League with 32 home runs. Topps commemorated McGwire’s emergence with his 1988 card which depicted him in an action picture swinging for the fences. This marked McGwire’s transition into the early stages of superstardom. Graded copies in gem mint condition have risen exponentially in value to $500-1,000 in recent years as collectors seek out pristine examples of McGwire during his ascent up the all-time home run leaderboards.
But it was the 1988 Fleer update card of McGwire that created buzz as arguably the most widely recognized and desirable non-rookie McGwire card. Picturing McGwire crouched down gracefully in the on-deck circle at Oakland Coliseum, the photography exuded McGwire’s raw power and his laid-back California cool persona. High grade copies command prices up to $2,000-3,000 today. The ’88 Fleer update set the standard for McGwire’s best and most iconic baseball cards outside of his rookie issue.
The late 1980s and 1990s were a golden age of power hitting in Major League Baseball. Led by the “Bash Brothers” duo of McGwire and Jose Canseco, the Oakland Athletics rose to prominence by blasting prodigious home run totals. Topps continuously documented the A’s offensive fireworks through cards featuring McGwire and Canseco. McGwire’s 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992 Topps cards followed the trend of dynamic action photos accentuating his major muscle. Gem mint copies are valued between $50-200 depending on the specific season and photography.
McGwire experienced injuries in 1992 and 1993 that dampened his offensive output those years. But he recovered to have arguably his two best seasons in 1994 and 1995. In ’94, McGwire smashed a then career-high and A’s franchise record 39 home runs en route to finishing 3rd in AL MVP voting. His 1994 Topps card (#110) reflected McGwire in his physical prime, standing tall at the plate and captured his increased media recognition near the height of Moneyball-era Athletics popularity. Pristine copies often exceed $300 today.
The 1995 season saw McGwire obliterate his previous single-season best, blasting a staggering major league-leading and Athletics franchise record 52 home runs. Topps documented McGwire’s history-making power surge with one of his most iconic baseball cards (#125) in their 1995 set. Depicting a towering McGwire mid-swing, the photography exudes the sheer brute strength that allowed him to dominate MLB pitching. Pristine PSA/BGS graded gems are valued $500-1,000 given they showcase perhaps the single-greatest power hitting campaign of the 1990s baseball boom era.
Following the 1995 season, McGwire was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in a blockbuster deal. He spent the next five seasons patrolling the first base bag at Busch Stadium and became an instant fan favorite in St. Louis. Topps continued chronicling McGwire’s dominance for his new team. His 1997, 1998 and 1999 Cardinals cards showed McGwire locked in at the plate and embraced in mid-swing. But it was the 1998 season that elevated McGwire to worldwide fame and notoriety.
Chasing Roger Maris’ single season home run record of 61 seemed to galvanize baseball’s fanbase. McGwire and Sammy Sosa engaged in a down-to-the-wire duel for 62 throughout the summer of 1998. Their race captivated sports fans across America nightly on ESPN highlight shows. Topps captured the electricity and nostalgia of McGwire’s chase with possibly their most iconic modern issue – his 1998 card (#174). Pictured mid uppercut swing with a determined glare, the card became a ubiquitous piece of memorabilia. Pristine copies can demand $500-1,000 today.
Ultimately, McGwire eclipsed Maris, smashing a new record 70 home runs. He was named MLB MVP and Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year. His accomplishments entrenched him as one of the game’s all-time great sluggers. Topps further capitalized on McGwire’s superstardom with three retro-style parallel inserts in their flagship 1998 set – a ’94 style returning home run king card, a Maris-esque posed photograph, and a collage-style career accomplishments card. Each are highly sought after by collectors.
In 1999, McGwire came close to his 70 mark with 65 round trippers, but injuries cut short his 2000 and 2001 seasons. After retiring, McGwire became ensnared in baseball’s steroids scandal. He eventually admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs during his career home run blaze of the late 1990s. While tarnishing parts of his legacy, McGwire’s accomplishments and the magic of 1998 endure in the memories of fans and the nostalgia of his baseball cards from the era. In particular, his rookie, 1988 Fleer update, 1994, 1995, and 1998 Topps issues remain some of the most iconic slugger cards in the hobby.
In summary, Mark McGwire’s prodigious power hitting made him a superstar of the 1990s and one of the most collection-worthy players for enthusiasts of Topps baseball cards during baseball’s home run boom period. Topps excelled at commemorating McGwire’s meteoric rise and record-smashing seasons through iconic photography and design. As one of the key figures in arguably the most memorable single-season home run chase of all-time in 1998, McGwire’s cards are embedded in baseball nostalgia and continue gaining value many years after his retirement.
