The 1987 baseball card set featured some of the greatest players of the 1980s at the height of their careers. Several stars had milestone seasons in 1987 that make their cards particularly desirable for collectors today. With over 30 years having passed since issuance, many of these coveted ’87s have appreciated tremendously in value. Let’s take a look at some of the most expensive and sought-after 1987 baseball cards on the current market.
Perhaps the most iconic and valuable 1987 card is none other than the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie. Young Junior was just breaking into the big leagues with Seattle that year and showed tantalizing skills that would make him a future Hall of Famer. His smooth left-handed swing and effortless defense in center field captivated fans from the start. The condition of a Griffey Jr. RC obviously greatly impacts its worth, but even well-worn copies in PSA 5 or 6 condition have 6-figure values. A PSA 10 Griffey Jr. would sell at auction today for over $100,000, making it one of the most expensive modern-era cards in the hobby.
Another highly-prized rookie from the ’87 set is Cubs’ pitcher Jamie Moyer. As the oldest player to ever start a MLB game, Moyer had an incredible 36-year MLB career but was still very much an unknown at the time of his rookie issue. Due to his long yet unheralded career arc, Jamie Moyer rookies have become quite collectible and scarce in high grade. A PSA 10 Moyer RC would bring around $7,500 today, while even a PSA 8 commands over $1,000 on the secondary market.
Staying in the NL West, the sky-high value of anything related to the San Diego Padres’ all-time hits leader makes the 1987 Tony Gwynn incredibly sought-after as well. Like Griffey, Gwynn was a seasoned veteran by ’87 but still in his physical prime at just 25 years old. He would go on to win 8 batting titles including a scorching .370 average this year. High grade T. Gwynns can reach $4,000-$5,000 for authentic PSA 10 specimens. Even well-centered near-mint copies in the PSA 7-9 range hold value around $500.
Other star position players whose ’87 issues command 4-figure prices include slugging Yankees’ outfielder Dave Winfield ($3,000 PSA 10), Orioles’ 3B Cal Ripken Jr. (over $2,000 PSA 10), and Red Sox’ OF Dwight Evans ($1,500 PSA 10). Ripken and Evans were seasoned all-stars but still gaining acclaim, while Winfield remained a dominant offensive force. Each displays the smooth, photogenic swing that made them fan favorites.
On the pitching side, one hurler truly stands out – Mets’ future 300-game winner David Cone. He was just 24 in 1987 but already developing into an ace as he went 20-3 with a 2.22 ERA and two complete game shutouts. The sterling stats and youth of Cone at the time make his base issue among the most valuable of any pitcher from the classic ’87 set. PSA 10s trade hands for $2,000-2,500 easily, with PSA 9s reaching $1,000-1,500.
A couple other notable hurlers whose ’87s hold 4-figure value are Atlanta Braves’ fireballer Steve Avery (PSA 10 around $1,500) and Yankee closer Dave Righetti ($1,200 PSA 10). Avery was just breaking in at 21 with a very promising sophomore campaign, while “Rags” demonstrated his dominance in the pen and would finish his career with a then-record 46 saves in 1986. Their ascending stats and youthful photos add to each card’s longevity.
While stars like Winfield, Evans, and Cone generated buzz as proven veterans, two rising young shortstops were also establishing themselves in ’87. Alan Trammell of the Detroit Tigers had his best offensive campaign with a .343 average, 5 HR, 49 RBI line from the 6-spot. Meanwhile, Angels’ youngster Dick Schofield contributed solid defense and a .270 BA from both middle infield positions while displaying 5-tool potential. High grade specimens of their base issues can reach $800 for a PSA 10.
The compelling rookie and early career cards of future Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. and Tony Gwynn anchor the 1987 issue as true blue-chip gems. But stars in their baseball primes like Cone, Ripken, and Winfield also produced exceedingly scarce and visually pleasing cardboard that maintains strong grades of desirability and value among collectors today. With such iconic talent featured, it’s no wonder the 1987 baseball cards remain a seminal release prized by enthusiasts of the golden age of the hobby.
