The 1987 Sportflics baseball card set introduced some of the biggest stars of the late 1980s to the hobby. A select few rookie cards and players from that set have grown to become tremendously valuable in the decades since. These scarce and coveted pieces of cardboard have brought in huge sums at auction and helped define the 1987 Sportflics set as one of the all-time classics.
Heading the list of the most valuable 1987 Sportflics cards is none other than Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie card. Widely considered one of if not the single best rookie card ever printed, Griffey’s 1987 Sportflics card #130 is the true crown jewel of the set and hobby. Often fetching well into the thousands of dollars even in low grades, mint condition Griffey rookies have sold for astronomical prices topping $100,000 at auction. The card perfectly captures a young pre-superstar Griffey smiling with potential greatness still ahead of him. His rookie card endures as one of the most iconic and investment-worthy cards in the industry due to Griffey’s legendary career and continued fan popularity.
Another surefire first ballot Hall of Famer with an extremely valued 1987 Sportflics rookie is Frank Thomas. “The Big Hurt’s” card #480 routinely brings in healthy sums in high grades, with gem mint 10 copies easily clearing $1,000 at auction. Like Griffey, Thomas went on to have one of the best careers of his generation while also retaining a strong fan following in retirement. His rookie perfectly pays tribute to the beginnings of one of baseball’s most decorated sluggers of the 1990s and 2000s.
Staying with impact rookies, Mark McGwire’s debut Sportflics card #345 is highly sought after by collectors to this day. Big Mac came out swinging in his first major league season and went on to set the single season home run record, making his rookie one of the more historically significant in the set. Near-mint to mint copies routinely sell for several hundred dollars. Meanwhile, McGwire’s career may be tainted for some due to steroid connections, but demand has held strong for his vintage cardboard.
A true dark horse for value potential from the 1987 set is Darren Daulton’s rookie card #493. As the longtime Philadelphia Phillies catcher of the early 1990s “Macho Row” clubs, Dutch quickly became a fan favorite during his career and has retained popularity in the city and beyond. The combination of his status as an underrated star and Philadelphia roots have lifted his rookie card value considerably in recent years. Even well-centered near-mint copies can sell for $200 or more when auctioned off. Condition is crucial here too, as pristine gem mint Daulton rookies have sold for over $1,000.
Staying with catchers, 1989 Rookie of the Year Sandy Alomar Jr’s card #105 routinely fetches $100+ for quality copies due to his solid all-around MLB career spent mostly with the Cleveland Indians. Meanwhile, cards of Canseco, Clemens, and other future stars like Craig Biggio and John Smoltz feature prominently in value guides and enthusiastic collector demand as well due to Hall of Fame-caliber careers. Even mid-range stars like Lenny Dykstra, Wally Joyner, and David Wells command interest and dollars for their rookie cards in the set too.
Of the true stars featured who were past their rookie years by 1987, Nolan Ryan’s card #75 leads the way. As arguably the single greatest power pitcher in baseball history, and an active player still doing big things on the mound for the Astros at the time of the set’s release, Ryan’s Sportflics card has always held tremendous collectible weight. Mint copies now sell for hundreds due to his legend and the card’s old-school style featuring one of the game’s most intimidating hurlers.
Rounding out some of the headliners, Ozzie Smith’s signature backward flipping defensive wizard card #494 is a true fan favorite and always in high demand. Often described as the finest defensive shortstop ever, even Ozzie’s upbeat player photo makes for an iconic baseball collectible three decades later. Other big name veterans like Don Mattingly, George Brett, and Tony Gwynn round out consistent value performers in the set due to sustained Hall of Fame careers as well.
The 1987 Sportflics set defined the late 1980s baseball card market and created a who’s who of future Cooperstown inductees and beloved MLB stars through career-defining rookie cards and classic veteran images alike. Cards like rookie Griffey, Frank Thomas, McGwire, and Daulton have since emerged as truly epic finds for collectors, while perennial greats like Ryan, Smith, and others retain legendary status in the hobby as well. For anyone holding mint examples from this true classic set, they have pieces of cardboard history in their collections.
