The 1987 Topps baseball card set was unique in that it featured many star players who would go on to have hugely successful careers and whose rookie cards would become extremely valuable in the decades that followed. Some of the most coveted and expensive 1987 Topps cards today include stars like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Randy Johnson. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top cards from the ’87 set that fetch big money in the current trading card market.
Perhaps the most notable and valuable rookie card from the 1987 Topps set is that of Hall of Famer Barry Bonds. Bonds made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986 and had established himself as one of baseball’s top young outfielders by 1987. While not spectacular in his rookie season, Bonds would go on to have one of the greatest careers in MLB history, smashing the all-time home run record and winning a record seven MVP awards. In top-graded Gem Mint condition, Bonds’ 1987 Topps rookie card presently sells for $15,000 or more. Even well-worn near-mint copies still pull in thousands.
Another legendary slugger whose rookie card debuts in the ’87 Topps set is Mark McGwire. Like Bonds, McGwire got his start in 1986 but 1987 was his official rookie card year. McGwire burst onto the scene by blasting 49 home runs in his first full season in 1987 to set a new MLB rookie record. He would go on to have one of the biggest power strokes in baseball history, breaking Roger Maris’ single season home run record along with Sammy Sols in 1998. High-grade 1987 McGwire rookie cards sell for $8,000-$10,000 today.
Two other formidable power hitters whose rookie cards rank among the most valuable from the 1987 Topps set are Gregg Jefferies and Juan Gonzalez. Jefferies came up with the Mets in 1987 and showed prodigious power potential by smacking 19 home runs as a 21-year old rookie. Top graded PSA 10 Jefferies rookie cards sell for $3,000-$4,000 now. Meanwhile, Gonzalez made his debut with the Rangers in 1989 but his official rookie card came in 1987 Topps. “Juando” would go on to hit 373 career home runs, including 50 in 1998. His scarce ’87 rookie fetches $2,500-$3,000.
On the pitching side, future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux had his rookie card appearance in 1987 Topps. Maddux broke in with the Cubs in 1986 but 1987 marked his true rookie status. He would dominate over two decades, winning 355 games to go along with 4 Cy Young Awards. High-grade Maddux rookies sell for $1,500-$2,000 currently. Another notable pitcher rookie from the ’87 set is Tom Glavine’s. Like Maddux, Glavine debuted in 1986 but 1987 was his first card year. Glavine emerged as one of the greatest left-handed pitchers ever, winning 305 games and 2 Cy Youngs across 22 seasons. His rookie exchanges hands for $1,000-$1,500.
One of the most dominant pitchers of the 1990s also had his rookie card year in 1987 Topps – Randy Johnson. “The Big Unit” broke in with the Montreal Expos late in the 1988 season but 1987 was when Topps first featured him on a baseball card as a prospect in the Expos organization. Johnson would develop into a legendary 6’10” flamethrower, piling up 303 wins and 5 Cy Young trophies in his Hall of Fame career. Near-mint Johnson rookies cost $800-$1,000 presently.
In addition to star rookies, the 1987 Topps set also featured valuable cards of established superstars of the era like Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, and Ozzie Smith. High-grade copies of their main ’87 Topps cards sell for $300-$700 each depending on condition. The 1987 Topps baseball card set stands out for featuring so many future Hall of Famers and MVP-caliber players early in their careers. The rookie cards of talents like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Greg Maddux, and Randy Johnson make the 1987 issues highly desirable for collectors today.
