The 1987 Score baseball card set launched during a time when the hobby was booming in popularity. Many consider the 1987 season to be the “Golden Age” of baseball cards as it was one of the last times production numbers remained relatively low before exploding in later years. Not surprisingly, there are several highly coveted rookie and star player cards from the ’87 Score set that have maintained significant value over the past 35 years. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most expensive and desirable 1987 Score baseball cards on the modern market.
Perhaps the most iconic and valuable 1987 Score card is the Kirby Puckett rookie card (card #679). Puckett went on to have a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Minnesota Twins, capturing six All-Star selections and winning two World Series championships. His rookie card holds extra significance as it was one of the first mainstream releases showing Puckett in a Twins uniform. With a production run estimated at only around 500,000 copies, the Puckett rookie is extremely scarce in high grades. Mint condition PSA Gem MT 10 examples have sold for over $20,000 in recent years. Even moderately graded copies in the PSA 8-9 range can fetch $1,000-$4,000 based on demand.
Another extremely valuable 1987 Score rookie is that of Hall of Famer Barry Larkin (card #553). Larkin enjoyed a 19-year career entirely with the Cincinnati Reds that included 12 All-Star selections and an NL MVP award in 1995. Like Puckett, Larkin’s rookie card marked one of the first popular releases showing him in a big league uniform. High grade PSA 10 Mint copies have brought in excess of $15,000 at auction. More attainable PSA 8-9 versions still sell for $1,000+ due to Larkin’s status as a hometown Reds legend.
Two star pitchers that had legendary careers also have exceptionally rare and pricey 1987 Score rookie cards. Cardinals great Bob Gibson poses on card #630 in his post-playing days as a St. Louis coach. Gibson’s Hall of Fame playing tenure included two MVP awards and a record setting 1.12 ERA season in 1968. His rookie manager card commands over $10,000 in PSA 10 condition. Meanwhile, Atlanta Braves/Boston Red Sox phenom Greg Maddux debuts on card #473. Maddux is considered one of the greatest control pitchers in baseball history, winning four Cy Young awards between 1992-1995 with the Braves. Pristine PSA 10 copies of his scarce rookie have hit the $15,000 mark.
Moving beyond rookies, the 1987 Score set also featured superstar veterans who were entering the prime of hall of fame careers. One of the most expensive examples is card #91, depicting New York Mets third baseman and 12-time All-Star Dave Kingman locked in his powerful swing. While no longer in his peak home run hitting days of the 1970s, Kingman was still a feared slugger for the Mets in 1987. His card’s rarity has driven PSA 10 prices up near $4,000 range in recent auctions.
Another power hitter with an extremely scarce and pricey ’87 Score card is #12, Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Bell. Bell was coming off an MVP season in 1987 where he led the American League with 47 home runs and 134 RBI. At just 27 years of age, Bell seemed poised to elevate his game even higher. With a low print run estimated under 100,000 copies, PSA 10 grades of Bell have sold for over $6,000. Cincinnati Reds ace Danny Jackson also appears on a highly valuable card, #540. Jackson won 20 games for the Reds in 1987 and went on to toss two no-hitters by 1990. His picture is a favorite of Reds fans and has realized over $3,000 in top condition.
Some other noteworthy 1987 Score baseball cards that routinely bring four-figure sums include PSA 10 copies of Ozzie Smith (#30), Nolan Ryan (#128), Jim Rice (#290), Dwight Gooden (#444), Darryl Strawberry (#527), Wade Boggs (#600), Mark McGwire (#650), and Roger Clemens (#688). While hundreds of other stars and future Hall of Famers populated the set, the scarcity and pedigree of the rookie and superstar cards mentioned make them the true blue-chip investments of the 1987 Score offering after 35 years. For dedicated collectors, finding high quality versions of Puckett, Larkin, Maddux or Bell rookies in particular would represent owning a slice of the most prized pieces in the entire vintage baseball card marketplace.
The 1987 Score baseball card set launched during the hobby’s commercial boom period of the 1980s. Despite large production numbers compared to earlier decades, certain rookie and star player cards have stood the test of time due to the legendary careers had by the likes of Puckett, Larkin, Maddux, and others. Strong nostalgia remains for 1987 as the final year before the explosion of mass-produced cards in 1988 and beyond. For these reasons, the most sought-after ’87 Score cards will likely always be destined for the high-end of the vintage market due to their enduring brand names and lasting iconic images from the “Golden Age” of trading cards. Even after 35+ years, the allure of owning gems depicting some of baseball’s all-time greats just starting their journeys remains as compelling as ever for dedicated collectors and investors.
