The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and beloved issues in the brand’s legendary history. Released at the height of the 1980s baseball card boom, this 660-card release featured a modern and eye-catching design that captured the flashy aesthetics of the era. While not the most extensive Topps set ever printed, 1987 remains a fan favorite due to its memorable visuals, star players, and historical moments that were featured extensively on the cards.
1987 was a year of transition in Major League Baseball. Longtime icons like Pete Rose and Carl Yastrzemski were playing their final seasons, while young superstars like Mark McGwire and Barry Larkin were just beginning to emerge. The MLB season itself was highlighted by the Cardinals’ 100-win campaign that saw them capture the World Series title. On the business side, large publishers like Fleer and Donruss had entered the baseball card market to compete with the longtime leader Topps. This new competition likely pushed Topps’ designers to create one of their boldest and most visually intricate sets to date for 1987.
The cardinal red borders that framed each card in the 1987 Topps issue became a signature style element. They popped dramatically against the white or light gray card stock that was used. Within these borders, multiple color gradients and geometric shapes were layered to make each card background dynamically designed. Bright yellows, oranges, and blues were mixed together in distinct patterns on every card back. Scoreboxes and statistics were integrated creatively into the imagery rather than simply listed as text. It gave the set a contemporary industrial design vibe that matched the booming tech and fashion trends of the late 80s.
Topps also embraced new photographic technologies with the 1987 issue. While previous sets used simple action shots or posed team pictures, many 1987 cards featured candid close-ups with soft focus effects. Some even utilized unusual angles or partially obscured views of the players. This added an artistic nuance that made each image feel unique. Action photographs were also becoming more sophisticated, often captured mid-swing or throw to emphasize motion. The quality and variety of photographs made players almost jump off the cards compared to previous more static imagery.
In addition to the aesthetics, the 1987 Topps set is renowned for the iconic players and memorable moments it commemorated. Rookies featured included Mark McGwire, Jay Bell, and Tim Belcher. Rising talents like Will Clark, Barry Larkin, and Wally Joyner were starting to establish themselves as young stars. Veterans like Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith, and Tim Raines also had defining cards in the set. Recent Hall of Fame inductees like Alan Trammell also made their Topps debuts in 1987.
Perhaps the most renowned cards from the 1987 issue revolve around historical events from that season. Cards #1 and #660 spotlighted the 100-win St. Louis Cardinals World Series championship team. #420 captured Pete Rose’s last Major League hit as he was closing his legendary career. #107 showed the final at-bat and farewell from aging Red Sox great Carl Yastrzemski. Moments like these added tremendous nostalgia and significance beyond just the players’ stats and abilities.
While the Fleer and Donruss entries from 1987 wound up being short-lived, Topps clearly put immense time and resources into making sure their set stood out above the rest. They created not only a beautiful aesthetic design but also ensured the cards spotlighted the biggest names, stories, and events from that MLB season. This combination of visual excellence and historical relevance is why the 1987 Topps baseball card set has developed such a passionate collector following that endures over 35 years later. Even for those not born yet in 1987, the vibrant graphics and iconic images transports fans back to a peak era for the hobby.
In mint condition, a complete 1987 Topps baseball card set in factory-sealed wax packaging can fetch thousands of dollars today. Individual cards also carry strong market value. Rookies of McGwire, Larkin, and Bell regularly sell for $50-$100 each graded andencapsulated in mint condition. Superstar cards for Ryan, Smith, Raines, and others command $20-$50. Even memorable moments on lesser-known players like #420 Pete Rose still sell for $10-$30 because of their nostalgic significance. With its perfect storm of design aesthetics, legendary players, and historical moments captured, the 1987 Topps baseball card set remains an iconic pillar in the hobby that will surely retain its collecting passion and set value for decades to come.
