The 1987 Topps baseball card set is renowned among collectors as one of the all-time great vintage sets for rookie cards. While it did not have the true rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like the 1989 Topps set, it featured the rookie cards of many talented players who went on to have fantastic MLB careers. Perhaps most notably, the 1987 Topps set contains the highly coveted rookie cards of Barry Larkin, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine. With strong rookie classes and talented young players, the 1987 Topps baseball cards continue to be a treasure trove for collectors decades later.
Some key things to know about the 1987 Topps baseball rookie cards include that the entire set contains 792 total cards. The cards have a classic purple and white design that is similar to Topps sets from the mid-1980s. On the front is a color photo of the player along with their team name and position. On the back is stats from the previous season as well as a brief career overview. As was common in the late 1980s, the cards are issued without gum. Card quality ranged from fairly sharp to dull and worn considering they were mass produced over 35 years ago. Now let’s take a closer look at some of the top rookie cards from the 1987 Topps set.
Arguably the most iconic and valuable 1987 Topps rookie card is that of Greg Maddux, who went on to become a legend of the game. Maddux’s rookie card shows him as a member of the Chicago Cubs wearing uniform number 31. At the time, he had just broken into the big leagues in 1986 where he pitched 22 innings over 9 games with an impressive 2.18 ERA. Little did collectors know he would go on to win 4 Cy Young awards and anchor pitching rotations for the Braves, Padres, and Cubs over a 23 year Hall of Fame career. PSA 10 graded Maddux rookies frequently sell for well over $1000 due to his all-time great status.
Another absolutely storied career depicted on a 1987 rookie card is that of Tom Glavine. Like Maddux, Glavine broke in during 1986 where he made 15 starts for the Atlanta Braves and flashed promise with a 3.68 ERA. His rookie card shows him as a Brave with number 47. Glavine would go on to be one of the greatest left-handed pitchers ever, winning 2 Cy Youngs of his own to go along with 305 career wins and 2,607 strikeouts over 22 MLB seasons split between Atlanta and the Mets. High grade Glavine rookies also command big money today.
Staying in Atlanta, the 1987 Topps set also gave collectors the first card featuring Ron Gant as a member of the Braves. Gant had played sparingly in 1985 and 1986 but was on the cusp of stardom. He enjoyed his first full season in 1987 where he blasted 25 home runs and stole 21 bases, showing the five tool promise that would make him a perennial All-Star and 30-30 threat for much of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While not in the stratosphere of Maddux or Glavine, graded Gant rookies still attract solid interest.
Shifting to the American League, the Cincinnati Reds’ Barry Larkin was given his first baseball card in the 1987 issues. Larkin broke in halfway through 1986 and hit .268 over 51 games to demonstrate his skills at shortstop. He was rightly projected to be the Reds’ starting shortstop for years to come. Of course, Larkin far exceeded those expectations by reaching the Hall of Fame and winning an MVP during a 19 year career spent entirely in Cincinnati. High grade Larkin rookies have blown past the $1000 mark in recent years.
A couple of other future All-Stars and accomplished players who debuted in the 1987 Topps set include Mark Grace of the Cubs and Ruben Sierra of the Texas Rangers. Grace went on to be a career .303 hitter and 5-time All-Star for Chicago in the 1990s, winning the 1989 NL batting title. Sierra emerged as a power-hitting outfield force for the Rangers and Athletics in the late 80s and early 90s, smashing 306 career home runs and twice leading the league in that category. Both Grace and Sierra rookies can still be acquired in the $100-300 range depending on condition.
While players like Maddux, Glavine, Larkin, Grace and Sierra understandably get the headlines, there are many other notable rookie cards and future big leaguers found throughout the 1987 Topps set. It served as the first card for talents such as Ellis Burks, Gregg Olson, Dave Martinez, Jeff Montgomery, and Jeff Reardon, among others. The 1987 issues also gave collectors a first glimpse of stars well before they blossomed like Will Clark, Barry Bonds, and Frank Thomas. The 1987 Topps baseball cards remain a legendary vintage release that maintains strong collector interest many decades after first being pulled from packs. With iconic rookie cards and talented players, it’s easy to see why this particular set from Topps is considered among the finest in the hobby.
