The 1988 Score baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable issues from the junk wax era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While packs and boxes of these cards could be found everywhere and were extremely affordable at the time, certain rare and sought after rookie cards have grown exponentially in value in the decades since. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable 1988 Score cards that card collectors seek to this day.
Perhaps the most well-known and coveted rookie card from the 1988 Score set is that of Toronto Blue Jays star third baseman Molitor. Molitor had an incredible 22 year career spanning from 1973-1996 and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018. His 1988 Score rookie card, with Molitor pictured in a Blue Jays uniform, continues to be one of the most iconic and valuable rookie cards ever produced. In top mint condition, a PSA 10 graded Molitor rookie fetches prices well over $10,000. Even well-centered near mint copies in PSA 8 or 9 condition can sell for $3,000-$5,000. The combination of Molitor’s elite playing career and the card’s iconic design make it the most sought after by collectors from this set.
Another hugely valuable rookie from 1988 Score is that of Chicago White Sox left-handed pitcher Wilson. Prior injuries slowed his career debut, but Wilson went on to become a 4-time All-Star, American League Cy Young Award winner, and he tossed a no-hitter in 1991. Despite not appearing on top prospect lists at the time of the card’s release, demand for Wilson’s rookie has skyrocketed in recent years. PSA 10 examples regularly eclipse $5,000 at auction now while PSA 9 copies are $2,000-$3,000. The combination of Wilson’s excellent career stats and the increasing rarity of high graded versions of this card make it the second most coveted by collectors from the ’88 Score set behind only Molitor.
Joining Molitor and Wilson amongst the most valuable 1988 Score rookies is that of slugging outfielder Gonzalez. Born in the Dominican Republic, Gonzalez made his MLB debut with the New York Mets in 1989. He went on to amass over 450 career home runs and was a 6-time All-Star between stints with the Mets, Dodgers, and Braves. As one of the most feared right-handed hitters of the late 80s/90s, “Moose” Gonzalez’s rookie card has held strongcollector demand for decades. High grade PSA 10 examples now bring prices averaging $3,000-$4,000, while PSA 9 versions are closer to $1,000-1,500. The rarity of this Dominican-born slugger’s first card combined with his prolific MLB stats create a valuable vintage rookie for collectors.
While 1988 Score included rookie cards of many future Hall of Famers like Piazza, Griffey Jr, and Martinez, three cards from the set stand above the rest in terms of demand – Molitor, Wilson, and Gonzalez. Having debuted in the majors either late in 1987 or 1988, these players’ rookie cards were accurately included in the ’88 Score checklist, making them the truest rookie presentations for these sluggers.
Beyond the big three, another very popular 1988 Score card resides in the Baltimore Orioles section – pitcher Mike Mussina. Although not technically a rookie card, Mussina’s very first Score issue card came in this 1988 set in just his first season in the league. Very talented but often overshadowed by contemporary stars like Pedro and Clemens, Mussina put together an outstanding career that should land him in Cooperstown someday. His low printed ’88 Score is a favorite of Oriole and Mussina collectors. High grade PSA/BGS examples now sell for $500-$1,000, showing this card’s steadily growing demand.
A few other noteworthy expensive cards from the 1988 Score baseball set include the cards of ace closer Eckersley, slugging catcher Piazza, superstar shortstop Rodriguez, and Hall of Famer Griffey Jr’s early Tigers issue card before his famous Donruss rookie. In top condition with strong grades, these cards can reach prices of $300-$500. It’s the Molitor, Wilson and Gonzalez rookies that have stood the test of time and hold premier value more than 30 years since the set’s original release due to their players’ Hall of Fame-worthy careers and the scarcity of superb condition copies remaining around.
While 1988 Score cards could easily be found in bargain bins for a quarter a pack back in the day, the enduring popularity of certain rookie stars like Molitor, Wilson and Gonzalez have made their cards some of the most expensive and sought after from the entire junk wax era. The combination of these players’ amazing MLB success, the iconic design of their rookie cards in the ‘88 Score set, and the natural rarity that comes with the passage of time have all contributed to their modern six and even seven figure valuations for top pristine specimens. Even in high grades of PSA 8 or 9, these prized rookie cards still cost thousands, a reminder of how certain vintage issues can retain collecting interest for generations to come. For hardcore baseball card investors and vintage enthusiasts, 1988 Score remains one of the great sets of the modern era thanks to prized rookie presentations like these.
