The year 1987 was one of the most iconic years in the history of the baseball card hobby. Players like Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine were just beginning to make a name for themselves in their rookie seasons. Meanwhile, future Hall of Famers like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, and Mike Schmidt continued putting up big numbers in the late stages of their impressive careers. As a result, 1987 offered collectors some highly sought after rookie cards as well as cards showing star veterans of the era at the peak of their powers. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable 1987 baseball cards that still fetch high prices in today’s market.
Perhaps the most valuable 1987 baseball card is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey lived up to the enormous hype surrounding him as one of the best all-around outfielders in baseball history. With his effortless sweet swing and dazzling defense in center field, Griffey was a fan favorite who helped rejuvenate interest in the game during the 1990s. His impossibly clean rookie card from 1987 Bowman has always been one of the most desired in the hobby. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples have sold for over $100,000, though even well-centered PSA 8 copies in excellent condition can sell for $10,000 or more. Griffey’s tremendous career and iconic rookie card status make this one the undisputed heavyweight champion of 1987.
Another enormously valuable 1987 rookie is the Barry Bonds card from Topps. Like Griffey, Bonds went on to have a Hall of Fame career and is considered one of the greatest players ever. His 1987 Topps rookie card shows the then-slim Bonds in a Pirates uniform during his early days in the majors. High-grade PSA 10 examples have topped $25,000 at auction due to his legendary career that was full of controversy as well as unprecedented power numbers. Even in lower grades, this key Bonds rookie consistently sells in the four-figure range.
Staying in Pittsburgh, the Andy Van Slyke rookie from 1987 Fleer Update is another noteworthy seven-figure card. Van Slyke had a long, productive career patrolling center field for the Pirates and Cardinals while displaying an uncanny ability to get on base. Though not quite in Griffey or Bonds’ stratosphere statistically, his flashy play and key role on 1990s Pirates teams has given this rare Van Slyke rookie lasting appeal. In pristine PSA 10 condition, it has reached $20,000. Most graded copies sell in the $3,000-$7,000 range.
Another rookie to fetch five figures is Gregg Jefferies’ 1987 Donruss issue. Jefferies was a can’t-miss prospect coming out of high school and showed promise early in his career for the Mets and Royals. Injuries hampered what could have been an elite career, but the potential he showed makes his rookie a strong speculator card even today. High grades have sold for $15,000, with most others in the $1,000-$3,000 range depending on condition.
Veteran stars were also strongly represented in the 1987 set. Perhaps the most famous is the Ozzie Smith 1985 Topps Traded error card, which is actually part of the 1987 set due to the printing error holding up its release. Featuring “Ozzie Smith” on the front but showing Darrell Porter’s photo on the back, this mistake card rivals any other in baseball for rarity and intrigue. Just a handful are known to exist, and one in decent shape sold for over $50,000 in a 2013 auction.
Wade Boggs’ card from 1987 Topps is also a consistent five-figure earner. The hit machine Boggs was a perennial batting champion and the heart of the Red Sox lineup throughout the 1980s. His ’87 Topps issue is one of the best looking in the set. High grades have topped $10,000, with most others ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 based on condition.
Another popular 1987 issue showing a Hall of Fame hitter in his prime is the Mike Schmidt card from Fleer. Schmidt was still in his 20s but was already a three-time MVP and one of the most feared power hitters in baseball. This great action shot captures him at the plate and remains a standout in the vintage Fleer designs. Top grades have crossed $5,000, with most average copies selling around $1,000.
Two expensive stars from the Los Angeles Dodgers round out the most valuable 1987 cards. The Fernando Valenzuela card features “Fernandomania” in one of his best seasons before arm injuries slowed his stellar career. High grade PSA 10s have reached $3,000 for this popular relic of the 1981 rookie phenomenon. The Kirk Gibson “walk-off” World Series card from 1987 Topps Captures one of the greatest playoff moments in history. Top condition copies have exceeded $2,000 due to Gibson’s iconic home run.
The hallmark rookie cards of future all-time greats Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds continue to drive prices for 1987 issues. But standout veterans like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, and Mike Schmidt also made invaluable contributions to the set. Thirty-five years later, pristine examples of their best 1987 cards remain collectors’ most coveted investments from the vintage era.
