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TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS 1987 COMPLETE SET TRIVIA

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and collectible card issues of all-time. As the flagship set released during the height of the baseball card boom era in the late 1980s, the ’87 Topps cards hold a significant place in the history of the hobby. Let’s take an in-depth look at some interesting trivia and details surrounding the complete 660 card base set.

The ’87 Topps set marked the 26th year Topps had produced baseball cards under an exclusive license with Major League Baseball. Some of the bigger storylines and players featured included Roger Clemens’ record-setting 20 strikeout game, the Cardinals capturing the World Series title, and rookie sensation Mark McGwire launching his career with the Athletics. Beyond the on-field action, the visual design of the 1987 cards also pioneered several trends that would carry through to future issues.

One of the most iconic aspects of the ’87 Topps design was the team logo plastered across the entire bottom portion of each card front. This was the first year Topps incorporated such a bold use of team logos in the foreground of the cards. It helped instantly identify each player’s team affiliation. The liberal usage of bright team colors and logos on the borders and backgrounds also remained a visual staple for Topps through the late ’80s and early ’90s.

Of the 660 total cards in the ’87 set, there was an unprecedented mix of 656 different major and minor league players plus 4 manager/coach cards. The manager cards featured Tommy Lasorda of the Dodgers, Sparky Anderson of the Tigers, Dick Howser of the Royals, and Whitey Herzog of the Cardinals. Giancarlo Maldonado became the first Puerto Rican-born player featured in the main Topps base set with his inclusion at card #25.

Every team was assigned a unique box design found on the reverse of each player card. Organized alphabetically, teams ranged from the Angels box design at cards 1-32 to the White Sox box found on cards 629-660. Each box highlighted the team name, logo, and stats from the previous season. This was another visual innovation Topps incorporated to brand each MLB franchise for collectors.

Beyond the base 660 card issue, Topps also produced severalparallel and specialtysubsets. Some of the more notableinclude:

53 card Traded set highlighting players who switched teams via trades between the 1986-87 seasons.
98 card Update/Late Issue series added players who debut late or were left out of the main set.
91 card Stadium Club premium retail issue spotlighting each MLB park.
20 unnumbered Turn Back The Clock retro style cards featuring older stars.
6 card U.S. Olympians subset saluting players who competed in the 1988 Summer Games.

Proving to be one of the toughest cards to find in mint condition is the basic checklist card found at position #660. With such a late number in the sequence, the checklist endured a lot of wear and tear versus higher number cards. The #1 Roger Clemens card is also notoriously tricky to locate in pristine condition due to its premier position as the flag bearer for the entire set.

In terms of notable rookie cards included, the ’87 Topps issue introduced Hall of Famers Tom Glavine at #521 (Mets), Jeff Bagwell at #572 (Red Sox), and Trevor Hoffman at #647 (Reds). Mark McGwire’s rookie card resides at #480 as the slugger began taking the league by storm with the Oakland A’s. Barry Bonds also had his rookie card appearance at #250 as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

When it comes to autograph variations, the most treasured of the 1987 Topps autographed cards features a signed Cal Ripken Jr. residing at position #87 in the base issue. Renowned artist Norm Saunders also contributed an autographed sketch card that was given exclusively to the Topps Board of Directors as a bonus/promo item outside of the main released set.

The 1987 Topps baseball card set defined the sport’s late 1980s “junk wax” era while also possessing several aspirational rookie cards and unique design traits that keep it an engaging collectible today. Whether seeking pristine conditioned examples of stars like Clemens or McGwire, or simply appreciating the visual time capsule of vintage team logos and uniforms, the ’87 Topps cards hold a storied place in the 120+ year history of the iconic American trading card company.

1988 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS TRIVIA

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The 1988 Topps baseball card set was released at the start of the 1988 MLB season and included cards for all teams and players in the American and National Leagues. Some interesting trivia and facts about the 1988 Topps baseball cards include:

The set includes 792 total cards with photographs of players and managers from the 1987 season. This includes short printed rookie and star cards as well as team cards and multi-player inserts. The designs on the 1988 Topps cards featured a simple white border around each card with the team logo or insignia placed above the player’s photograph. The card numbers were printed on the bottom right corner and statistics for each player were included on the back.

One of the standout rookie cards in the 1988 Topps set was Tom Glavine of the Atlanta Braves. Glavine pitched in 8 games for the Braves during the 1987 season after being drafted directly out of Boston College. His 1988 Topps rookie card would be one of the most coveted cards in the set and is valued today in near mint condition at over $150 due to Glavine’s Hall of Fame career that included 2 Cy Young Awards and 305 career wins.

Another notable rookie in the 1988 Topps set was Gregg Jefferies of the New York Mets. Jefferies made his MLB debut on August 31, 1987 and hit .321 in 33 games that season to earn the starting second baseman job for the Mets in 1988. While he did not have the staying power of Glavine, Jefferies’ rookie card from the 1988 set remains popular with collectors.

One of the insert cards in the 1988 Topps set was the “Gaze Into the Crystal Ball” subset which featured cards picturing players who were expected to break out in the 1988 season. Players on these “crystal ball” cards included Manny Ramirez, Randy Johnson, and Will Clark. While not all panned out as superstars, it’s still interesting to see which up-and-coming players Topps editorial staff selected for this popular insert set 27 years ago.

Another insert set found in the 1988 Topps baseball cards was the “Hall of Famers” subset, which paid tribute to the greatest players already enshrined in Cooperstown at that time. Icons of the game like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Hank Aaron were included in this 24-card salute to baseball royalty. Over a quarter century later, many of the players featured in Topps’ prescient “Gaze Into the Crystal Ball” subset have joined these legends in the Hall of Fame.

One of the more bizarre additions to the 1988 Topps set was card #775 featuring San Francisco Giants manager Roger Craig. The photographed image used on Craig’s card was actually of then-free agent outfielder Brett Butler wearing Craig’s uniform. Topps had mixed up the photos and issued Craig’s card with the wrong picture by mistake. This “photo error” card has become a novelty collectible sought after by fans for its atypical nature compared to a standard player card.

One of the standout player cards from the 1988 Topps baseball set was that of Pittsburgh Pirates star Barry Bonds. Bonds had just begun to emerge as one of the game’s elite all-around players, winning his first batting title and MVP award in the 1987 season featured on his ’88 Topps card. What really makes his card notable is the prophetic message written across the bottom – “This Year’s MVP…And Maybe Next Year’s…And The Year After’s…” As Bonds went on to win a record 7 MVP awards, this unsigned quote on his rookie card proved remarkably prescient.

The 1988 Topps baseball card set provides a unique snapshot into the rosters and faces of Major League Baseball as it existed in 1987. While production and design elements are dated compared to modern cards, the ’88 Topps set remains popular with collectors due to its historical significance and many memorable rookie cards of future Hall of Famers. Trivia gems like unusual photo errors, notable inserts showcasing rising young stars, and eerily foreshadowing messages make the 1988 Topps cards an appealing and engaging product from baseball’s past.

1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS TRIVIA

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the 1980s. It was the 66th annual set produced by Topps and consisted of 792 total cards. Some key trivia and facts about the 1987 Topps set include:

Rickey Henderson Becomes the Cover Athlete: For just the third time in Topps history, a player was featured by themselves on the cover rather than as part of a team photo. Rickey Henderson graced the cover as he was coming off a season where he set an MLB record with 130 stolen bases. Henderson would go on to remain the career stolen base leader until 2015.

Introducing Traded Players: For the first time, Topps included “Traded” subsets highlighting players who were traded during the 1986 season. Eight cards made up the Traded subset, with the biggest names being Doug Drabek, Tom Candiotti, and Wally Backman. These subsets helped collectors keep up with all the midseason transactions.

Debut of Mark McGwire: Rookie card collectors in 1987 were treated to the debut card of Oakland A’s slugger Mark McGwire, who would go on to smash the single season home run record in 1998. McGwire’s rookie card is considered one of the key rookie cards from the late 80s.

Rare Error Variations: There were a small number of error variations discovered in the 1987 set. The most significant was an error on Don Mattingly’s card where the word “batting” was misspelled as “baatting.” Other minor errors included swapped team logos or other misprints. These variations fetch a premium among collectors today.

Star Rookies Abound: In addition to McGwire, other top rookie cards included Hall of Famer Tom Glavine, Juan Gonzalez, Gregg Olson, and Terry Mulholland. Collectors could start PC builds of future stars right from this iconic set.

League Leader Subsets: Topps’ League Leader subset highlighted statistical champs in 1986. A total of 24 cards featured hitters and pitchers who led their respective leagues in key categories like batting average, home runs, wins, ERA and more. The subsets provided stats geeks more content to pore over.

Trading Card Pioneer Retires: The 1987 set marked the final card issued of Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett. Brett’s 21-year career was highlighted by his .305 batting average, 317 home runs, and 3,154 hits. He remains one of the greatest right-handed hitters in baseball history and a true trading card pioneer from the 70s and 80s.

Growth of MLB Expansion: With the addition of the Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins in 1969, Topps had room for four additional cards in the 1987 checklist compared to sets from earlier in the decade. This brought the total count to 792 cards, reflecting the continued growth and popularity of Major League Baseball across North America through the 1980s.

Increased Card Quality: The late 80s marked a shift in the production values for sports cards overall. The 1987 Topps set featured higher quality physical stock and improved color reproduction compared to issues in the late 70s/early 80s. The cards had a nice premium feel that card collectors appreciate to this day.

Unique Design Features: Topps’ designers crafted an array logo layout with team logos popped against a solid color banner across each card front. Statistics were neatly organized on the back. Subsets like Traded kept the same color pallet for easy identification. The visual continuity made for an attractive and organized presentation throughout.

Investment Potential Remains High: With the combination of star rookies, popular veterans, and quality designs, 1987 Topps cards retain significant collector interest and monetary value over 35 years later. A complete common set in near-mint condition can fetch over $2,000 today. Top rookie cards like McGwire and key stars like Henderson frequently sell for hundreds on the strong vintage baseball market.

The 1987 Topps set is considered among the most historically significant and visually appealing issues from the sport’s classic cardboard era. Featuring iconic players, valuable errors, and the rise of important rookies like McGwire, it remains an important part of the archetypal 1980s baseball experience for both young collectors at the time and those pursuing the vintage hobby today. The proven investment potential only adds to its repute as a collection cornerstone over three decades removed.

1990 SCORE BASEBALL CARDS AND TRIVIA CARDS FULL SET

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The 1990 Score baseball card set was one of the most iconic and historic releases from Score. The 1990 set marked many milestones and firsts for collectors. It was Score’s first full size card since 1979 and featured the exciting young players that would drive the game in the early 1990s like Barry Bonds, Frank Thomas, and Ken Griffey Jr. Along with the main 525 card baseball card set, Score also released a 60 card trivia card insert set called “Score Trivia Cards.” Combined, the 1990 Score products captured the nostalgia of the 1980s while looking ahead to the future of baseball.

The 1990 Score set switched to the standard 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch size for the cards after using smaller 3 x 2 inch sized cards for several previous years. Collectors were excited to get back to the more traditional larger size that made displaying and storing cards much easier. Getting players images and stats back to the larger canvas allowed for more vibrant photography and stats on the cards. Score was also known for their glossy photo stock which showcased players and action shots with exceptional quality for the era.

Some key factors that made the 1990 Score set highly desirable include:

Iconic Rookie Cards: Future Hall of Famers like Griffey Jr., Bonds, and Thomas were just starting to make their mark in the majors in 1990 and their cards have grown tremendously in value since. Both the Griffey Jr. and Bonds rookies are considered some of the most iconic and valuable modern rookie cards.

Star Power: Along with great rookies, the set featured the biggest stars of the late 80s/early 90s like Wade Boggs, Ryne Sandberg, Roger Clemens, Kirby Puckett, and Nolan Ryan in their prime. Collectors loved chasing these big names.

Design Elements: The set design incorporated classic old-time baseball imagery with retro colored borders and foil stamping. The “Score” brand name in classic baseball font added to the nostalgic vintage baseball vibe the company embraced.

Variety of Inserts: In addition to the base set, Score included several chase inserts like Golden Moments, Diamond Kings, MVP Leaders, and Topps style Traded versions to add to the excitement of the hobby.

Trivia Subset: The quirky 60 card Score Trivia insert set let collectors test their baseball knowledge and spark conversations with unique card back factoids. Questions ranged from player birthplaces to records held. This was funBonus for collectors beyond the base card chase.

While excitement was high for the 1990 Score release, production and distribution issues plagued the set. Only about one third of the planned print run was ever fully released to hobby shops, making complete base sets extremely difficult to assemble. Some areas of the country saw very little or no product at all. Many of the chase inserts were likewise scarce due to the limited production. This shortage served to heighten demand for 1990 Score cards over the following decades. Many collectors never completed their sets due to the constraints.

Score continued to have distribution problems for several years which ultimately led to the company’s fall from being a major baseball card manufacturer. The supply issues surrounding the 1990s flagship set added significant mystique and fueled the nostalgic “what if” about what could have been for Score and the entire card industry if the full release had occurred. Still, the cards that did make it to collectors hands from 1990 Score took on an extra cache due to their scarcity compared to what was initially intended.

The storylines and players featured made 1990 one of the most anticipated years in baseball card history. That collectors never got a chance to fully experience the set as originally planned addedcollector demand for completion and appreciation of the rare cards that did exist. Today, a complete 1990 Score set in top condition can sell for thousands of dollars showing just how iconic and beloved the product became despite the Production challenges. Highlight rookie cards like Bonds, Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas routinely bring four-figure sums when they surface decades later.

While completing a full 1990 Score base is realistically out of reach financially for most collectors today, individual cards, subsets, and theScore Trivia insert set remain highly collectible as affordable alternatives to chase the nostalgia. The trivia questions also provide an entertaining look back at the rich history of professional baseball. Ebay regularly features 1990 Score lots and individual cards to fuel collectors’ ongoing quests to enjoy the iconic designs and capture the elusive stars that got away from set builders in the original production run over 30 years ago. Clearly, the appeal and intrigue surrounding this seminal release remains as strong as ever for collectors old and new.

While distribution issues stalled collectors’ initial dreams of completing the 1990 Score set, the cards have endured to become some of the most coveted and valuable in the hobby due to the all-time great rookies featured and the fascinating story around production limitations. The nostalgic designs, insert variety, and inclusion of the fun Score Trivia subset helped define 1990 Score as truly special among baseball card releases. Though most set builders fell short three decades ago, the chase lives on for affordable individual cards, subsets,inserts and that ever elusive fully intact base set showcase from one of Score’s finest hours.