The 1987 Topps baseball card set marked the 26th year for Topps as the lone producer of MLB wax packs and cards. After producing iconic rookie cards like Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire in previous years, 1987 brought another memorable rookie class and more star cards that have grown hugely in value over the past few decades. Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent and priciest 1987 Topps cards on the market today.
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card – Griffey’s rookie is arguably the most iconic and valuable card of the entire 1987 Topps set. Coming off his stellar debut 1987 season where he hit .264 with 16 home runs for the Mariners at just 18 years old, expectations were sky high for “The Kid.” His flawless swing and graceful style of play captivated fans and he quickly became one of the faces of the league. In pristine mint condition, Griffey’s rookie now easily fetches over $10,000 and some gems have even cracked the $20,000 mark.
Roger Clemens – The Rocket’s 1987 season was one for the record books as he went 24-4 with a 2.97 ERA and won his second Cy Young award. His dominance carried into the postseason as well where he won co-MVP honors in the Red Sox World Series victory. Clemens’ strong 1987 performance increased demand for his Topps card significantly over the years. A PSA 10 gem is valued around $3,000 making it one of the most expensive cards from the set outside of rookies.
Barry Bonds Rookie Card – Bonds exploded onto the scene in 1987 slashing .289 with 29 home runs and 76 RBI in his first full season. While he didn’t win Rookie of the Year, scouts could tell he had limitless potential. His 1987 rookie card from Topps is one of the most coveted in the hobby, fetching an average of around $2,500 for high-grade copies today. Slabbed PSA 10 examples can reach upwards of $5,000.
Mark McGwire Rookie Card – Many consider McGwire’s rookie season of 1987 one of the best ever for a first year player. He smacked 49 home runs between the minors and majors that year and showed prodigious power that foretold his future stardom. Naturally, his rookie card from that season is a must-have for MLB card collectors. While not quite as expensive as Griffey or Bonds, a PSA 10 McGwire can still sell for $1,500-2,000 due to his historical significance.
Ozzie Smith – Widely considered the best defensive shortstop ever, “The Wizard” was still putting up elite numbers at the plate in 1987. That year he hit .303 with 7 home runs and 71 RBI, winning his 5th consecutive Gold Glove. Smith’s defense was so mesmerizing that it made his Topps card a hot commodity, even surpassing $1,000 for a PSA 10 copy. He was one of the biggest stars in the league throughout the late ’80s.
Cal Ripken Jr. – While he didn’t have the gaudy stats or accolades of others on this list in 1987, Ripken’s “Iron Man” narrative was beginning to take hold as he became the everyday anchor for the Orioles. He played in 158 games that season, highlighting his incredible durability. As Ripken’s consecutive games played streak continued shattering records, his ’87 Topps card gained steam. Pristine PSA 10 versions can fetch $800-1,000 now.
Other notable expensive ’87 Topps cards include Don Mattingly’s last season with the Yankees (#416 valued around $500 PSA 10), Dwight Gooden’s dominant ’86 CY season (#141 around $400 PSA 10), and Rickey Henderson’s elite stolen base season with the A’s (#70 $300-400 PSA 10). Overall it’s evident there was no shortage of future Hall of Famers and all-time great players featured in the 1987 Topps set. For serious vintage collectors, high grade copies of the above mentioned cards represent some of the crown jewels from that iconic release.
