The 1987 baseball card season featured some of the most iconic and valuable cards in the modern era. Led by stars like Roger Clemens, Ozzie Smith, and Donruss’s “Diamond Kings” parallel set, the 1987 offerings from Topps, Donruss, and Fleer highlighted many of the game’s biggest names from the late 1980s.
At the top of most collectors’ lists of the best 1987 baseball cards is the Roger Clemens card from Topps. Fresh off winning his first Cy Young award in 1986 with a 24-4 record and a league-leading 2.48 ERA for the Boston Red Sox, Clemens was capturing attention as one of the game’s most dominant pitchers. His colorful and intimidating stare on the 1987 Topps card made it one of the most visually striking in the set. Since Clemens went on to have a Hall of Fame career winning 7 Cy Young awards, his rookie cards from the mid-1980s have increased greatly in value over the years. A PSA 10 graded version of Clemens’ 1987 Topps card recently sold for over $10,000, showing its status as one of the most coveted modern-era cards.
Another hugely popular 1987 issue was the Ozzie Smith card from Donruss. Known as “The Wizard” for his dazzling defensive skills at shortstop, Smith was a fan-favorite for the St. Louis Cardinals throughout the 1980s. The photo on his ’87 Donruss card, with Smith posing with his glove outstretched, perfectly captured his elite fielding abilities. What made this card especially collectible was its inclusion in Donruss’s high-end “Diamond Kings” parallel subset, which featured foil lettering and numbering. Pristine Mint condition Diamond Kings versions of Smith’s card have sold for thousands.
Rookie cards were also highly sought after in 1987 sets, headlined by the debut issues of future Hall of Famers like Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux. Glavine’s card from Topps, showing him pitching for the Atlanta Braves as a 21-year old left-hander, hinted at the stellar career that would follow including two Cy Young awards. Meanwhile, Maddux’s first Bowman card depicted the 20-year old righty as property of the Chicago Cubs, foreshadowing more than 300 career wins and 4 Cy Youngs as one of the best pitchers of all-time. Both of these rookie cards from 1987 are considered extremely valuable today.
Another rookie to debut that year was Ken Griffey Jr. with the Seattle Mariners. At just 17 years old in 1987, Griffey Jr. was already generating buzz as one of baseball’s top prospects. His first Topps card showed why, with a picture of him unleashing a powerful swing during batting practice. Of course, Griffey would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie is one of the most iconic in the modern era. High-grade versions have sold for over $10,000 as one of the most sought-after rookie cards ever printed.
Donruss also featured some highly collectible young stars with cards of Will Clark, Mark McGwire, and Barry Larkin among their 1987 standouts. Clark’s intimidating glare on his Donruss issue foretold his dominance as a slugging first baseman for the San Francisco Giants. McGwire’s card for the Oakland A’s hinted at the home run fireworks to come. And Larkin’s rookie card for the Cincinnati Reds highlighted his skills that would eventually earn him an induction into Cooperstown. Each of these cards from emerging talents in 1987 have grown greatly in demand from collectors.
The 1987 season was a high point for baseball card collecting, showcasing future Hall of Famers and some of the game’s biggest names from that era in iconic rookie cards and common issues. Sets from Topps, Donruss, and Fleer gave collectors memorable images and stories from some of the most talented players to ever step onto a Major League Baseball field. Prices for the best 1987 cards have increased exponentially in recent decades, a testament to their staying power among fans and the memorable players and seasons they commemorate. The combination of star power, aesthetics, and the success of the players depicted make 1987 one of the most fondly remembered years for baseball card releases.
