The 1987 Kmart baseball card set was one of the more popular and iconic sports card issues of the late 1980s. At a time when the baseball card industry was booming, Kmart launched its own successful house brand of cards that became coveted by collectors both young and old. The 1987 set showcased every Major League player and even included short biographies on the backs of each card. With its affordable prices and wide distribution through Kmart stores, the 1987 Kmart baseball cards captured the attention of a generation of fans and created many lifelong collectors.

Kmart had released baseball cards under its name in prior years but the 1987 set stands out as one of the most complete and noteworthy issues. That season was a pivotal one in Major League Baseball as well, with players like Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, and Tom Glavine beginning to make their mark on the league. Capturing the stars of that era for a mass-market price point helped the 1987 Kmart cards find immense popularity. The set totaled 792 cards and featured every player on a Major League roster at the start of the 1987 season, with separate cards for regular season and playoff/World Series performance.

Perhaps the biggest draw of the 1987 Kmart baseball cards was their affordable price. At a time when the hobby was getting increasingly expensive, with premium wax packs from Topps and Donruss costing $1 or more each, Kmart sold its entire base set of 792 cards for just $9.99. For collectors on a budget or kids pestering their parents at the checkout aisle, the Kmart cards offered an entry point into the exciting world of sports card collecting. Their widespread availability through Kmart stores across America also made them highly accessible.

In addition to the full-blown roster set of 792 cards, Kmart also sold smaller subsets at slightly lower prices. These included a 100-card “mini-set” of the Top 100 hitters, a 50-card subset of rookie cards, and 100-card sets focusing on pitchers or specific leagues/divisions. Kmart even produced special “traded” subset cards to depict player transactions that occurred after the regular season rosters were finalized. All of these extra cards added tremendous variety and chase appeal to the overall 1987 Kmart issue.

The design aesthetic of the 1987 Kmart cards was straightforward yet effective. On the front, each card featured a simple black-and-white player photo along with the team nameplate and player identifiers. The backs provided statistics from the previous season as well as a 30-40 word biography of each player highlighting career achievements up to that point. While not as flashy as higher-end issues from Topps, Donruss, or Fleer, the Kmart cards offered enjoyable retro designs that have stood the test of time. They remained decidedly “vintage” even as newer technologies were adopted across the wider hobby.

When it came to condition and durability, the 1987 Kmart baseball cards were constructed on thicker stock paper compared to earlier Kmart issues or budget brands from that era. While not quite on par with the slickness of gum-included trading cards, the thicker paper helped the Kmart cards hold up reasonably well to the rigors of being endlessly shuffled, sorted, and traded by enthusiastic young collectors. Light surface scuffs or edge wear affected most examples found today but serious damage is comparatively rare for a set that was so widely circulated in its time.

In the years since their 1987 release, the Kmart baseball card set has achieved strong nostalgia appeal and recognition as an iconic piece of sports card history. On the thriving vintage trading card market, complete sets routinely command over $200 while especially desirable rookie cards from the likes of Barry Bonds or Tom Glavine can exceed $100 individually. The affordability and widespread distribution that made them a hit in 1987 is now complemented by the warmth of nostalgia they invoke. Cleaner examples graded by services like PSA also bring premium prices from intense completionists seeking pristine copies of their childhood cardboard treasures.

For any collector, researcher, or fan interested in understanding the 1980s baseball card boom period, the 1987 Kmart issue stands out as an important touchpoint. It showed how the marriage of Major League rosters, budget pricing, and wide retail distribution could create a true mass-market phenomenon. For countless kids and adults at the time, it was also likely their first experience opening wax packs and admiring the photocards of their baseball heroes. Over 35 years later, those memories and the allure of the players featured still give the 1987 Kmart baseball cards a treasured spot in hobby history.

The 1987 Kmart baseball card set was one of the more unique issues of the late 1980s. At the time, Kmart was one of the largest retailers in the United States and wanted to get into the booming baseball card industry. They took a decidedly different approach than the traditional card manufacturers like Topps and Donruss.

Instead of the standard design of teammates on one card that fans had become accustomed to, Kmart opted to feature individual players on their own cards. This allowed for more photos and stats per card at the expense of the dual format. But it also freed up valuable real estate for promotions and advertisements. Each 1987 Kmart card prominently displayed the Kmart logo at the bottom alongside messages like “Visit Kmart for all your baseball card needs.”

Part of Kmart’s strategy in branching out into cards was to leverage their massive retail presence. The cards were exclusively sold through Kmart stores, not available through traditional hobby shops and convenience outlets. This was a new distribution model for the baseball card market. Kmart hoped fans would visit their stores to collect the set just as they did for other branded items.

Some collectors found the self-promotional nature of the 1987 Kmart cards distracting. Having the company logo and messages took attention away from the players and photography that was the typical focus. The cards also lacked uniform aesthetics compared to competitors as each player’s image was displayed differently. But these design aspects were secondary to Kmart in promoting their brand identity.

Despite initial reservations in the collecting community, Kmart was able to produce an ambitious 440-card base set in 1987. This was larger than what Topps or Donruss offered that year. Beyond base rookies and regulars, Kmart inserts included traded players, second year pros, stars of the 60s/70s, league leaders, and Goudey reprints. One of the set’s most popular short prints was an Orel Hershiser rookie from his record 59 consecutive scoreless innings season in 1988.

The surplus of cards allowed Kmart to fill pro-sets in ways other manufacturers could not. But production values were generally lower and centered more around novelties than serious offerings for the growing subset of vintage collectors. The thin cardboard stock also made the 1987 Kmart cards prone to damage over time compared to the more durable cards from Topps and Donruss.

However, Kmart was still able to attract collectors just starting out or simply seeking variety in their collections. Their expansive sets at affordable prices brought enjoyment to many casual fans. And for knowledgeable collectors, the challenges of finding uncommon Kmart parallels and variations produced excitement in the hunt. Their self-printing model also eliminated concerns over counterfeits that plagued other issues.

Despite the large size of the 1987 Kmart baseball card set, finding complete sets today is difficult. This is partly because they were only sold in Kmart stores instead of traditional hobby shops. Collectors were also leery of their lesser build quality. But many players featured are important pieces of history, like Rookie Cards for Barry Larkin, Mark McGwire, and others. A select group of key cards from the 440-card issue have found strong interest and value in recent years.

While Kmart hoped their baseball cards would further synergize with their retail sales, the project ended up losing money compared to projected returns. The novelty wore off quickly among dedicated collectors now accustomed to Topps and Donruss standards. After only two years of baseball card sets in 1987-1988, Kmart discontinued their foray due to lackluster performance. Their unorthodox strategy to grow the market proved some retailers could compete if willing to think outside the box.

For a short time, Kmart shook up the status quo of the 1980s baseball card industry. Although their cards never achieved the same stature of the sport’s leading brands, they offered affordable options to growing legions of fans. Whether viewed as novel oddities or just part of the annual card cycle, the 1987 Kmart issue documented a unique moment when a major corporation took a swing in a space they didn’t fully understand. While their cards are relatively obscure today, they remain a footnote in the history of both Kmart and the colorful early years of licensed baseball memorabilia.

The 1980 Kmart baseball card set was one of the more unique and fascinating issues from that era. While Topps dominated the baseball card marketplace in the 1970s and 1980s, companies like Kmart found creative ways to enter the lucrative hobby by offering alternative sets that collectors found appealing in their own right. The 1980 Kmart set stands out not just for its distinctive design and photography, but also because it reflects the state of baseball and card collecting at that pivotal time.

Kmart had dabbled in baseball cards before, producing a short 36-card set in 1978. The 1980 edition was their most ambitious to date, coming in at a then-hefty 132 cards. The large checklist allowed Kmart to cover most notable players from the 1979 season in depth. Roster spots on contemporary Topps and other mainstream issues were limited, so sets like Kmart’s helped fill needs for many avid collectors. Besides current stars, the Kmart cards also showcased veteran players who were late in their careers but still fan favorites.

On the design and production side, Kmart tapped a unique photography style for the cards. Many feature players in three-quarter or full body poses, often with some action rather than just static portrait headshots. This gave the cards a distinctive visual aesthetic compared to other brands. The borders and color schemes had a clean, straightforward look different than Topps’ ornate designs. Some have speculated that Kmart’s simpler style allowed for higher image quality and may have kept costs down compared to more elaborate contemporary card designs.

In terms of content, each Kmart card provided basic career stats and a paragraph of biographical information on the reverse. This level of detail was a step above many smaller issues of the time but not quite as in-depth as the statistical heavyweights in the hobby. Distributed mainly through Kmart retail stores, the cards also advertised the chain’s toy and game departments, putting a corporate promotional spin on the traditional baseball card formula.

Collectors found the 1980 Kmart set fascinating in no small part because it captured a unique transition period in both baseball and the card-collecting world. The late 1970s had seen the rise of free agency, bidding wars for top players, and higher salaries start to reshape the economics of the game. Steroid controversies were still in the future, but performance-enhancing drug use was an emerging issue. The old school publishing houses that had long dominated cards like Topps now faced encroachment from alternative brands eager to break into the lucrative marketplace.

Specific highlights from the 1980 Kmart roster shed light on this intriguing juncture. The set was one of the final card issues to feature Pittsburgh Pirates star Roberto Clemente, who tragically died in a plane crash in 1972 at age 38. Also present were still-active veterans like Hank Aaron and Willie Mays wrapping up legendary careers. Meanwhile, newer stars in the prime of their prowess like Reggie Jackson, Mike Schmidt, and Nolan Ryan had become the marquee names driving a new economic era in baseball salaries and promotion.

Perhaps most fascinating were the up-and-coming players included who would define the next generation. Toronto Blue Jays sensation Dave Stieb received a card a year before exploding as a rookie. Future Hall of Famers like Ripken Jr., Mike Schmidt, and Eddie Murray were among those in their early prime. The class of young stars also provided a hint of the “Steroid Era” still unseen – Lyle Alzado and Ken Phelps, included as coming prospects, would later be implicated in PED controversies.

In the realm of collecting, the 1980 Kmart set reflected broader trends as well. Speculation, investment, and boom/bust cycles were starting to transform the once simple childhood hobby into a more serious financial endeavor for some participants. The emergence of alternatives to entrenched “big two” Topps and Fleer demonstrated room in the growing market for niche manufacturers. Sets like Kmart added diversity and helped drive overall collector numbers, which continued upward through the 1980s bubble before corrections in the 1990s.

In the end, the 1980 Kmart baseball card set stands out not just for its large size, unique photography, and fun vintage vibe. Even more so, it provides a snapshot into a key transitional point both in baseball and the business of sports cards. Emerging stars and fading greats commingled, performance enhancers began affecting the record books, and collecting grew more sophisticated as alternative publishers entered the scene. For historians and fans of the era, the 132-card issue transports you back to an intriguing period of evolution and sets an illustrative time capsule from 40 years ago. Given its rich historical context, the 1980 Kmart baseball card set remains a standout even among the flood of issues from that golden age.

The 1982 Kmart baseball card set was unique as it was one of the only major baseball card releases outside of the ‘Big 3′ card companies of Topps, Fleer and Donruss. At a time when the baseball card market was dominated by these companies, Kmart saw an opportunity to get in on the lucrative hobby by producing its own exclusive set for sale in its stores.

Released in the spring of 1982, the Kmart set featured photos and stats on 132 active major league players from the 1981 season. The design and production values were much different than contemporary Topps and Fleer issue. The cards utilized a simpler rectangular design with a white border and blue team color boxes on the left side rather than the popular borderless or action shot designs of the big brands. Photos tended to be headshots without any colorful uniform or background elements. Stats included were batting average, home runs, RBI and were generally from the previous season only rather than full career stats.

Kmart distributed the cards with gum in wax paper packs like Topps but utilized a unique orange and white color scheme rather than the familiar team colors. Packs retailed for about 35 cents each, making them competitively priced compared to the 50 cent packs from Topps and Fleer available in hobby shops and convenience stores. While not as visually appealing to collectors used to the artistic designs of the big brands, the cards found an audience among kids and adults looking to build sets more affordably at Kmart stores.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the 1982 Kmart set for completest was its exclusive player content not found in other releases that year. Standout rookie cards included Future Hall of Famers Cal Ripken Jr., Wade Boggs and Rickey Henderson. Other notable rookie inclusions were Steve Sax, Ron Guidry and Dwight Gooden. More established stars like Mike Schmidt, Reggie Jackson and Nolan Ryan also appeared without photo or statistical updates from the prior year’s Topps and Fleer issues, giving the Kmart cards a unique exclusive feel. This helped drive initial sales and interest in pursuing a full 132-card set.

While not endorsed by the MLBPA like the flagship brands, Kmart was still able to utilize team logo licensing, giving the cards an authentic league affiliation. Roster and team changes from 1981 were also accounted for, with players moved to their new clubs for 1982. The lone exception seemed to be a photo mix-up mistakenly showing relief pitcher Jesse Orosco in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform despite being traded to the New York Mets prior to the 1982 season.

While initial distribution was wide through Kmart’s store network, demand far outstripped supply of the discounted packs. The popularity of stars like Ripken and Boggs combined with the accessibility of Kmart locations competing with specialized shops selling baseball cards led to rapid sellouts in many areas. Within a few months of release, it became increasingly difficult to find intact packs on shelves. As a result, the allure and scarcity of the 1982 Kmart set only grew among collectors seeking complete sets or rookie cards of future Hall of Famers.

The lack of extensive print runs compared to the bigger manufacturers also contributed to the cards’ rising collectibility in subsequent years. Despite attempts by Kmart to ramp up production for a 1983 follow-up set, quality control issues and distribution problems prevented another full release. As a true one-year wonder in the baseball card scene, the 1982 Kmart offering became one of the most coveted and valuable sets for vintage collectors to pursue. Prices for sought-after rookie cards and finding unopened mint packs approached or exceeded the same year’s pricier Topps and Fleer issues on the thriving secondary market.

For Kmart, getting into baseball cards proved a profitable but short-lived experiment. Production and licensing headaches combined with the dominance of the major card companies likely soured them on continuing to invest resources into annual sets. Their brief foray left an indelible mark on the hobby. The 1982 Kmart baseball cards remain one of the quirkiest and most desired issues for collectors due to its exclusive content, limited distribution, and status as a true oddball release outside the established brands during the golden age of the sport. Over forty years later, it still captivates collectors chasing the elusive complete 132-card rainbow.