The 1987 Topps baseball card set was the 56th series issued by Topps and is considered a classic among collectors and fans. The 1987 set marked several milestones in the long history of Topps baseball cards. It was the first year Topps used their new photo-scanning technology to reproduce the player images. It also featured the debut rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr., Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine. Because of these factors, as well as strong player performances and team success in the late 1980s, 1987 Topps cards remain very popular with collectors today.
The 1987 set contains 792 total cards and includes rookie cards, stars of the day, team checklist cards, and manager/coach cards. Some of the biggest stars featured include Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Rickey Henderson, and Mike Schmidt. The design is clean and simple with a solid color background behind each player photo. Statistics are provided on the back along with a career summary. Topps also added a fun “Traded” subset highlighting notable player trades from the 1986-87 offseason.
Rookie cards are always highly sought after by collectors and 1987 contained several future Hall of Famers. Arguably the most coveted is Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie which features him as a Seattle Mariner. His smooth left-handed swing and effortless style of play made him a fan favorite for many years. Other top rookie cards include Greg Maddux as an Atlanta Brave, Tom Glavine also as a Brave, and Mark McGwire as an Oakland A’s. These players would go on to have incredible careers and their rookie cards appreciate greatly in value.
Beyond rookie cards, the 1987 set also highlights the dominance of several legendary players at the peak of their careers. One of the most iconic cards is Roger Clemens’ as a Boston Red Sox pitcher. In 1987, Clemens won a record-tying 20 games and captured his second Cy Young Award. His intimidating stare and rocket right arm made him one of the most feared pitchers in baseball. Wade Boggs of the Red Sox also had a monster 1987 season batting .363 with 24 home runs and leading the American League in hits. His card remains a favorite for collectors.
The success and popularity of teams in the late 1980s is also reflected in the 1987 Topps set. The St. Louis Cardinals won 95 games and the National League pennant behind stars like Ozzie Smith and Vince Coleman. The Detroit Tigers made headlines by drafting Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker and later winning the World Series in 1984. The Oakland A’s dynasty continued with the “Bash Brothers” of Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire mashing home runs. These teams and their stars from 1987 hold nostalgia for collectors today.
In terms of condition, 1987 Topps cards are considered fairly durable but still require care. The most valuable copies will be high graded gems in near-mint to mint condition. There is still strong demand for nicely centered examples in excellent condition as well. Common players can usually be found for $1-5 while stars are $10-50 depending on grade. Rookies of future Hall of Famers like Griffey, Maddux, and Glavine are much pricier, ranging from $50-500+ for their best copies. The 1987 set as a whole remains very collectible and prices hold steady thanks to its memorable rookie class and team/player performances.
For collectors, 1987 Topps baseball cards represent a special time in the sport’s history. They perfectly captured the talent and excitement of stars from the late 1980s. Future Hall of Famers like Griffey, Maddux, and Glavine had their collecting careers begin with these iconic rookie cards. Team successes by clubs like the Red Sox, Cardinals, and A’s are also commemorated. Even 35 years later, 1987 Topps cards remain a staple in collections for their nostalgia and investment potential. The set’s classic design, memorable rookies, and star players ensure it will continue to be a favorite for collectors and fans for generations to come.
