Dave Justice was a power-hitting right fielder who played in Major League Baseball from 1986 to 2000. Known for his big home runs and clutch playoff performances, Justice had a long and productive career, mostly spent with the Atlanta Braves. As one of the stars that helped lead the Braves to a record 14 straight division titles, Justice remains a beloved figure in Atlanta sports history. His baseball cards from the late 1980s through the 1990s capture a Hall of Very Good career and make him a sought-after player for collectors.
Justice’s rookie cards came in 1987, during his first full season with the Atlanta Braves. Topps issued his basic rookie card that year as part of their standard baseball card set. The design features a blue and white color scheme with Justice’s picture on the left and stats/details on the right. As a rookie who got regular playing time, Justice’s ’87 Topps rookie fetched around $10-15 in the late 80s. Due to his breakout years ahead and the Braves success, graded high-end versions of this card now sell for over $100.
Fleer also included Justice in their 1987 set, giving collectors an additional rookie option. With a photo centered in front of a purple backdrop, Justice looks determined in his Fleer debut. While not quite as iconic as the Topps design, graded Fleer rookies have seen steady price increases to the $50-75 range. Both Topps and Fleer recognized Justice’s potential right away by including him in their flagship sets as a rookie.
In 1988, Justice broke out with 27 home runs and an .810 OPS in his first full season. Topps and Fleer continued to feature Justice prominently, now as an established young star for Atlanta. The ’88 Topps card shows Justice in a classic batting stance, with a clean blue and white design. High-grade versions regularly sell for $15-25. Fleer went with an action photo of Justice swinging, surrounded by purple again. Both are common in collections but hold value for Braves and Justice fans.
Justice’s best season came in 1990 when he blasted 36 home runs with 107 RBI and finished 6th in NL MVP voting. Topps and Fleer commemorated this breakout year with some of their most iconic Justice cards. The ’90 Topps card depicts Justice in the on-deck circle with a yellow and red color scheme. It’s one of the most popular and aesthetically pleasing Justice cards out there. PSA 10 gems can fetch over $100. Fleer also chose to feature Justice’s power with a photo of him following through on a home run swing. Both captures Justice at the peak of his abilities in Atlanta.
The early 90s brought the Braves’ dominance and Justice’s role in three World Series appearances from 1991-1993. Topps and Fleer loaded up on Braves stars during this run, ensuring Justice had plenty of representation. The ’92 Topps card shows Justice batting left-handed with a classic blue design. High grades command $30-50 due to the Braves success. Fleer went with an action close-up of Justice’s intense face for ’92. Justice continued raking home runs through 1993, with Topps and Fleer issuing numerous inserts and parallels as interest grew.
Justice was traded to Cleveland before the 1994 season, ending his first stint in Atlanta. Topps and Fleer acknowledged the move with new team logo cards featuring Justice in an Indians uniform. While less iconic than his Braves years, these transition cards hold value for Justice and Indians collectors. He remained a force with Cleveland, hitting 40 home runs in 1995. Topps captured this with a powerful photo on their ’95 card. Justice returned to the Braves in 1996 and enjoyed two more productive seasons, giving collectors plenty more Braves-era cardboard.
In the late 90s, Justice began winding down his career with stops in Colorado and the Yankees organization. Collectors still sought out any remaining Justice cards they needed for their sets. Products like Stadium Club Select, Finest, and Ultimate issued some of Justice’s best and most visually striking cards late in his career. While less common than his earlier years, high-end versions can still attract bids into the triple-digits due to Justice’s popularity.
Overall, Dave Justice had a tremendous run in Major League Baseball from 1987-2000 that was well-documented on baseball cards. As a consistent power hitter and clutch postseason performer, Justice remains one of the most beloved Atlanta Braves of all-time. His cards from the late 80s and 90s Braves dynasty era are some of the most iconic and sought-after in the hobby. Whether it’s rookie cards, star years, World Series runs, or late career inserts, Dave Justice baseball cards hold value for any collector of the Braves or 90s baseball memorabilia.
