The 1987 Topps baseball card set introduced some of the most valuable rookie cards in the hobby’s history. Within the 792 card issued set, which featured players and managers from both the American and National Leagues, several rookie cards emerged that now command enormous prices due to the Hall of Fame careers of the players featured.
One of the most valuable from the ’87 Topps set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Considered one of the greatest five-tool players of all-time, Griffey Jr. was one of the most anticipated rookies to debut that season with the Seattle Mariners. Even as a rookie, he showed tantalizing promise by hitting .337 with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs in just 80 games. Topps certainly recognized Griffey Jr.’s tremendous upside and featured him prominently in the 1987 set, with his card occupying the coveted front-row spot of card number 1. Given his instant success as well as the budding superstardom and stature fans knew he would achieve, Griffey Jr.’s ’87 rookie has maintained its value as one of the finest rookie cards ever issued. In pristine mint condition, the Griffey Jr. ’87 Topps rookie can fetch over $10,000 today, with some sealed mint specimens selling for upwards of $25,000 or more at auction.
Another gem from the 1987 Topps set is the Barry Bonds rookie card. Like Griffey Jr., Bonds was one of the most heralded rookie prospects to arrive that season, and after a successful rookie campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he hit .223 with 4 home runs and 47 RBIs, expectations were high for Bonds to develop into a true superstar. Those expectations would prove accurate, as Bonds went on to smash the single season and career home run records and establish himself as perhaps the greatest power hitter of all-time. Due to Bonds’ all-time great status and the fact that his stellar rookie season was just the beginning of a Hall of Fame career that still captivates fans decades later, his ’87 Topps rookie is one of the set’s most recognizable and valuable cards. In a PSA 10 Gem Mint quality grade, which is exceedingly rare for any vintage card, a PSA 10 Bonds rookie recently sold for a staggering $93,000 at auction, though most raw or lower graded examples still command prices of $3,000-$10,000 based on condition.
Another rookie card from 1987 that demands big bucks is that of Tom Glavine. As a member of the Atlanta Braves, Glavine emerged as one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1990s, going 305-203 over his 22 big league seasons and winning two Cy Young Awards. From 1991-1998, Glavine led baseball in victories, helping the Braves capture the 1995 World Series title. There was no inkling yet of the accolades and success to come when Glavine arrived as a rookie in ’87, but collectors foresaw his promise and potential based on his minuscule 2.59 ERA in 18 starts that year. As such, his Topps rookie is one of the most popular cards for Braves fans and vintage collectors alike. In PSA 10 condition, Glavine’s ’87 Topps rookie has sold for over $4,000, with most graded examples selling in the $600-1000 range depending on condition.
Although not at the same price level as the Griffey Jr., Bonds and Glavine rookies, other valuable ’87 Topps cards include those of Will Clark and Mark McGwire. Clark was well on his way to a fine career after batting .286 with 16 home runs and 71 RBI in an All-Star rookie season with the San Francisco Giants. His combination of power and consistency made Clark a favorite of many casual and serious collectors alike during his playing days. As such, his Topps rookie remains very popular and sought after by Giants and Clark collectors. In a PSA 10 it can be worth over $1,000, with most graded cards bringing $150-400 depending in condition.
Mark McGwire had an extremely impressive rookie season in 1987 with the Oakland A’s, leading the American League with 49 home runs while also driving in 118 runs and batting .289. While collecting took off in the late 80s/90s boom, fans and investors recognized McGwire’s tremendous power potential from a very early stage. Investors snapped up his rookie card looking to profit down the line if McGwire fulfilled his destiny, which of course he did after breaking the single season home run record of 61 three different times. As one of the true stars of the steroid era, McGwire’s ’87 Topps rookie remains a controversial collectible. Despite controversy, gem mint PSA 10 examples still sell for $3,000+, with most graded rookie cards achieving prices of $150-900 depending on condition.
Looking beyond just the star rookies, other notable and valuable cards from the 1987 Topps baseball set include those of Hall of Famers Tony Gwynn, Rickey Henderson, and Ozzie Smith, all of whom were established stars at that point with Hall of Fame careers still ahead of them. A PSA 10 Gwynn would net over $2,000, while a PSA 10 Henderson could be worth $1,500 or more. Even veterans like Wade Boggs, Tim Raines and Lee Smith command solid prices in high grades. Any major star player’s card from this set has a chance to be quite valuable in pristine mint condition due to the immense playing careers many featured players achieved in the 1980s and 1990s.
The 1987 Topps set holds a special allure for collectors due to its historical rookies and talent level and significance. For Griffey Jr., Bonds and McGwire collectors, finding high graded examples of their rookie cards in particular has become quite the investment priority. As the careers and legacies of stars from that era are cemented further in baseball history books, it’s almost certain the value of their cards from the iconic ’87 Topps set will continue to appreciate significantly over time for patient holders. The abundance of future Hall of Famers and all-time greats immortalized in their first Topps cards make 1987 one of the single most cherished and valuable vintage sets in the history of the hobby.
