The 1987 baseball card season was one of the most memorable in the modern era. Legendary players like Mike Schmidt, Rickey Henderson, and Roger Clemens were entering their prime years and producing some of the most iconic cards of the 1980s. The 1987 Topps set in particular featured many of the game’s biggest stars and has become one of the most coveted vintage issues for collectors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout rookie and veteran cards from 1987 that still hold value today.
One of the undisputed heavyweight champs of the 1987 set is the Mike Schmidt card. Arguably the greatest third baseman of all time, Schmidt was entering his final season in 1987 after a simply astonishing Hall of Fame career with the Philadelphia Phillies. His ’87 Topps card shows Schmidt in the familiar Phillies crimson red, glaring intensely with fierce competitiveness. Schmidt would go on to win his last MVP award that season. In near mint condition, his ’87 card can fetch well over $100 due to his legendary status.
Another superstar third baseman who debuted in 1987 was the Mets’ Howard Johnson. Known as “HoJo” to fans, he smashed 25 homers as a rookie while playing stellar defense. His rookie card shows Johnson swinging confidently in blue and orange. Though not as valuable as some due to an overproduction of Mets cards in the late ’80s, HoJo’s rookie is still a key piece for any Mets or ’87 Topps collection. Graded mint copies can sell for around $30-50.
The 1987 season was also a coming out party for slugging first baseman Mark McGwire, who launched 49 home runs for the Athletics in just his second full season. McGwire’s imposing physique and raw power are evident on his ’87 Topps issue. Like Howard Johnson, McGwire benefited from the junk wax era and thus his rookie is fairly common – but for McGwire collectors, it remains a must-have around the $15-25 range.
No discussion of ’87 cards is complete without mentioning Rickey Henderson. Already a three-time All-Star and two-time stolen base champ for Oakland, Henderson took his game to new heights, swiping 66 bases and winning the first of his record-tying 9 career stolen base crowns. His dynamic pose and signature dreadlocks make the ’87 Topps Rickey one of the most visually striking in the set. High grade copies in the $50-100 range aren’t unusual considering Henderson’s hallowed status.
While veterans dominated the high-dollar ’87 cards, the season also featured future Hall of Famer Tim Raines’ rookie card. Like Henderson, Raines made a living on the basepaths, stealing 71 bags in his debut campaign for the Expos. The card shows Raines crouched on third, poised to dart home. Though the sheer number printed means it’s attainable for most collectors, any Raines card holds value due to his excellent career. Near-mint copies can be found for $10-15.
No discussion of ’87 cards is complete without mentioning the rookie of Red Sox flamethrower Roger Clemens. After winning the 1986 AL Rookie of the Year, Clemens took things to another level in 1987, going 20-9 with a 2.97 ERA and striking out a league-high 287 batters. His rookie card, with its crisp uniform colors and Clemens mid-windup, is one of the most iconic in the set. High grade Clemens rookies easily fetch $100-plus due to his Hall of Fame career. Even well-worn copies still hold value around $20.
While stars like Clemens, Raines, and Henderson dominated the 1987 season on the field, it was veteran sluggers like Andre Dawson, George Bell, and Don Mattingly who reigned supreme in the 1987 Topps set. Dawson’s Cubs card shows him in mid-swing, the embodiment of raw power. His 1987 season was one for the ages, as he hit 49 homers and won NL MVP. High grade Dawson ’87s can exceed $100. George Bell’s Blue Jays issue is also highly sought after by collectors, depicting the 1987 AL MVP winner at the height of his powers. Pristine Bell cards have sold for over $150.
Perhaps no 1987 card better captures the essence of the era than the Don Mattingly of the Yankees. The smooth-swinging first baseman was already a four-time All-Star and fan favorite by 1987. His iconic pinstripes and intense batting stance made his Topps card hugely popular. Mattingly remained one of the game’s top hitters throughout the late ’80s. High grade Mattingly rookies in near-mint to mint condition routinely sell for $150-250 due to his star power for the iconic Yankees.
The 1987 Topps baseball card set is a true vintage classic packed with future Hall of Famers, MVPs, and rookie stars. Keys like Clemens, McGwire, Henderson, and Mattingly retain huge demand, while stars of the era like Schmidt, Dawson, and Bell also hold great value. Even with the massive print runs of the late ’80s, select ’87 issues remain affordable and accessible for collectors on a budget. The iconic visuals and timeless players make it one of the most beloved sets from the golden age of baseball cards.
