1988 was a landmark year for baseball cards as it was the final year produced by the legendary Score company before their acquisition by Fleer. The 1988 Score set is highly regarded by collectors as one of the best designs of the 1980s and features some of the most iconic rookie cards and players from that era. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the standout cards and rookies from the 1988 Score baseball set.
One of the most valuable and sought after rookie cards from 1988 Score is Ken Griffey Jr. Griffey was one of the most hyped prospects in baseball and living up to the hype in his rookie season with the Seattle Mariners. The Griffey rookie card featured a beautiful action shot of “The Kid” taking a big swing. This card has only increased in value and desirability over the decades as Griffey cemented his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats. PSA 10 Gem Mint versions of this card now sell for well over $10,000. Even lower graded copies still command prices in the hundreds due to Griffey’s popularity and status.
Another huge rookie card from 1988 Score was Chicago Cubs’ shortstop Shawon Dunston. Dunston was a key part of the Cubs’ rebuild in the late 80s and had a solid career at shortstop. His rookie card shows Dunston fielding a ground ball and also features a colorful and unique design that stands out from the rest of the set. While not as expensive as Griffey, graded PSA 10 Dunston rookies can still sell for over $1000. This was an important Chicago rookie card that remains popular with Cubs collectors.
A third star rookie from 1988 Score was Oakland A’s slugging first baseman Mark McGwire. “Big Mac” launched his career with 49 home runs in his first full season and immediately established himself as one of the game’s top power hitters. His rookie card, with a powerful swing captured mid-motion, hinted at the mammoth shots to come. High-grade McGwire rookies have also cracked the $1000 price point in recent years as interest in his career home run chase with Sammy Sosa was rekindled.
In addition to the top rookies, 1988 Score also had cards featuring superstars like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, and Rickey Henderson that could be considered among the best in the set. But one card that stands above the rest for its rarity and subject is the Mike Schmidt “Farewell To A Legend” short print card.
Schmidt, a first-ballot Hall of Famer and arguably the greatest third baseman ever, was retiring after his final season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1988. Score produced a special short print card to commemorate his legendary career. It shows “Mike Schmidt” in giant letters across the top with a classic action shot of Schmidt swinging. Only 10 of these cards were inserted per case, making them incredibly rare compared to the base cards. In high grades, a PSA 10 Farewell To Schmidt has sold at auction for over $50,000, a true record for any standard size card from the 1980s.
Another valuable short print from 1988 Score was the “Ozzie Smith Tumbling Backwards” card, so nicknamed for its amazing action photo. Only 15 of these short prints were included randomly in cases of the base set. High graded examples have sold for $5000-$10,000 depending on condition due to Ozzie’s popularity and the rarity of this specific card variation.
Some other notable star players who had excellent base cards in the 1988 Score set included Dodgers ace Orel Hershiser, Red Sox slugger Jim Rice, Expos fireballer Dennis Martinez, Tigers ace Jack Morris, and Yankees star Dave Winfield. These cards captured iconic players and moments from that season. For team and player collectors, 1988 Score had representation from across MLB.
The design aesthetic of 1988 Score has held up extremely well over the decades. Bright team colors pop off the cardboard with sharp photos and minimal borders. The set size of 792 cards was also a sweet spot, not too small but not overwhelming either. Combined with the star rookies, short prints, and base cards of Hall of Famers, it’s no wonder 1988 Score remains a collector favorite to this day among people who enjoyed the sport in the late 80s. Prices have risen steadily to match appreciation for the players, photography, and nostalgia this set delivers. For baseball card investors and enthusiasts, 1988 Score was truly one of the best issues of the entire 1980s period.
The star rookies like Ken Griffey Jr, Mark McGwire, and Shawon Dunston launched from 1988 Score go down as some the most iconic and valuable cards ever produced. Short prints like the ultra-rare Mike Schmidt Farewell and Ozzie Smith Tumbling Backwards cards take collector demand and prices to new heights due to their remarkable rarity within the set. And base cards of all-time greats like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, and Roger Clemens remain highly collectible and affordable for most hobbyists. For all these reasons, the 1988 Score baseball card set remains one of the most revered issues in the entire hobby. Its combination of top rookie talent, memorable photography, and fun 1980s design sensibilities have secured its place as one of the true classics of the baseball card world.
