The 1987 Fleer baseball card set is one of the most iconic and recognizable issues in the modern era of the hobby. Coming on the heels of Donruss and Topps’ dominant run through much of the 1980s, Fleer debuted their first licensed MLB product in 1986 which was a huge success and helped grow the hobby significantly. Looking to build on that momentum, the 1987 set would take collectors and the card industry by storm with its innovative design elements and memorable rookie cards that still hold value to this day.
Released in late spring of 1987, the regular issue Fleer set totaled 397 cards and had an innovative photo-collage design on most cards that showcased action shots of the players. This was a break from the traditional static full body portraits found in most other releases up to that point. The cards also featured yellow borders and player info boxes with fun retro fonts that gave them a very distinctive aesthetic compared to competitors.
Out of the gate, some of the biggest stars and names delivered exciting rookies or memorable inserts. Perhaps most prominent was the much-hyped Chipper Jones rookie card. As the top draft pick and can’t-miss prospect in that year’s class, his Fleer card carried a hefty price tag in packs and is still one of the crown jewels of any serious vintage collection today. Other rookies like Mark McGwire, Barry Larkin, and Gregg Olson also debuted and still hold value for collectors today.
Another big hit was the Billy Ripken “F*** Face” error card that showed an obscenely carved bat. Only a small number made it into packs but news of its existence spread like wildfire. It’s undoubtedly one of the most notable errors ever produced and examples in high grade still command premium prices. Tom Seaver’s moving portrait insert was also popular at the time for being one of the set’s more distinct chase cards beyond the rookie chase.
Perhaps the defining card, or at least the most iconic from the visual design standpoint, was the Nolan Ryan Express Post card insert. Featuring a dramatic action shot of Ryan in mid-windup with the words “The Express” across it, this card captured the attention of the kid collecting crowd and solidified Ryan’s superstar image. It’s arguably the most recognizable single card from the entire 1980s. Loads were pulled, admired, and ended up in scrapbooks across the country in the late 80s.
In terms of chase cards for investors and enthusiasts today, the Chipper Jones and Mark McGwire rookies are sure bets to retain or gain value given their all-time status. But there are also many other stars featured that provide opportunities. Rafael Palmeiro, Frank Thomas, Jeff Bagwell, and Craig Biggio all had rookie or early career cards that have held up very well. Ken Griffey Jr.’s Fleer rookie is one of the more recognizable and valuable from the era as well despite not being his true “first” card in packs like the admittedly more scarce Donruss issue.
On the pitching side, Gregg Maddux, John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine all had rookie cards or early appearances that remain quite collectible and hold value as respected veterans with Hall of Fame potential or induction. Dwight Gooden and Orel Hershiser also flaunt powerful 1980s imagery on iconic cards that get plenty of attention from fans. Even star closers like Dennis Eckersley, Jeff Reardon, and Lee Smith have nice options for collectors.
For teams, the Toronto Blue Jays’ roster in 1987 holds great nostalgia and value. Rising talents like Tony Fernandez, Lloyd Moseby, and Jim Clancy appear on cards that saw plenty of use alongside superstars Dave Stieb and George Bell in 1987. Cards of Expos in-demand players like Tim Raines, Andre Dawson, and Gary Carter are also highly regarded. And the defending World Series Champion Mets like Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, and Lenny Dykstra hold appeal as well for collectors.
In the years since, 1987 Fleer has solidified its place as one of the true iconic sports card sets. The innovative designs, unforgettable rookies, and notable chase cards captured the imagination of collectors around the world and helped take the hobby to new heights. Prices for top cards have grown significantly thanks to strong nostalgia and genuine baseball history captured within the photos on these cardboard slices. The set represented a true changing of the guard between the early and modern eras of baseball cards and is one collectors still search packs for to this day in hopes of finding a valuable piece of memorabilia from the golden age.
In the end, for fun and affordability there are still plenty of stars and Insert cards available at moderate rates. But the biggest names will always remain out of reach of most budgets. For collectors it’s an opportunity to get cards of familiar heroes, and for investors it’s a proven commodity with decades of strong performance. Either way, the 1987 Fleer baseball set is cemented as one of the true icons that still captivates collectors across generations. Its innovative spirit and timeless content will ensure its popularity for years to come.
