The 1987 Fleer baseball card set marked a comeback year for the Fleer brand in the baseball card industry after leaving the market in 1981. While not the most iconic or well-known design compared to flagship brands like Topps, the 1987 Fleer set featured several rookie cards and rookie versions of future Hall of Famers that have become extremely valuable in the decades since. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable and significant 1987 Fleer baseball cards to own if you’re a serious collector or investor.
One of the true gems of the 1987 Fleer set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of if not the most iconic rookie card of all time, Griffey’s smooth left-handed swing and effortless skills in center field made him an instant fan favorite. His rookie card captured the beginning of what would become a surefire Hall of Fame career. In near-mint to mint condition, Griffey’s rookie now regularly commands prices above $1000 and has sold for over $25,000 in gem mint 10 gradings. Even in well-worn condition, this card remains highly sought after and valuable given the legendary status of “The Kid”.
Another extremely valuable 1987 Fleer rookie is the Barry Bonds card. Distinctive for its photo showing Bonds in a crouched batting stance, this card had underestimated value for years since Bonds’ offensive stats grew rapidly later in his career. As Bonds neared and broke the all-time home run records, demand skyrocketed for his rookie card. In top condition its value has soared into the thousands, with one recent PSA 10 gem mint sale reaching nearly $30,000. For Bonds collectors, this 1987 Fleer rookie is truly a crown jewel.
The legendary Greg Maddux got his first major league card in 1987 Fleer as well. Though not technically a true rookie since he debuted in 1986 for the Chicago Cubs, it served as Maddux’s first card in a Fleer set after appearing in Donruss in 1986. Like Bonds, Maddux went on to put up Hall of Fame numbers and is considered one of the best pitchers of all time. In top condition his 1987 Fleer has sold for over $1700. It remains very popular for collectors looking to represent one of baseball’s most dominant hurlers at an early stage of his outstanding career.
Roberto Alomar’s rookie card from the 1987 Fleer set also holds tremendous value. Alomar broke in with the San Diego Padres in 1988 but was included in Fleer due to his MLB debut coming late in the 1987 season. He would go on to a career as a .300 hitter and one of the best fielding second basemen ever, earning Hall of Fame induction in 2011. In pristine mint condition, Alomar’s rookie has reached over $3000 at auction. It’s a true key card for any baseball card collection focusing on the stars of the 1990s.
In addition to high-profile rookie cards, the 1987 Fleer set featured several cards showing future Hall of Famers in the prime of their careers that carry immense price tags today. A notable example is the Kirby Puckett card, capturing the Twins legend at the peak of his hitting prowess in 1987 when he batted .332. High-grade examples have sold for over $1500. Also very costly is the Cal Ripken Jr. card from the set, reflecting his run at the all-time consecutive games played record. PSA 10 copies of Ripken’s 1987 Fleer card have reached the $2000 range.
Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson, and Wade Boggs are other examples of cards that have achieved astronomical prices in the most pristine of conditions. Even though they weren’t rookies, representing these legends of the 1980s at the height of their fame and ability is highly sought after by collectors. They’re true flagship cards that exemplify the talent level featured in the 1987 Fleer set.
While not the flashiest or most iconic baseball card release compared to brands like Topps, the 1987 Fleer set holds tremendous nostalgia and value due to its array of rookie cards as well as cards showing baseball immortals at the peak of their MLB stardom. Keys like Ken Griffey Jr, Barry Bonds, Roberto Alomar, and Greg Maddux set the standard for the most expense rookie cards money can buy. Coupled with star-studded veteran standouts, 1987 Fleer remains a benchmark year in the modern card collecting era and an asset for any dedicated baseball memorabilia portfolio. The allure of owning vintage cardboard featuring legends at the dawn of their fame continues to drive enthusiast demand and investment potential decades later.
