The 1988 Score baseball card set was one of the most iconic and valuable releases of the late 1980s. While not quite as sought after as the flagship Topps sets of the era, 1988 Score featured some hugely important rookie cards and showcase cards of baseball’s biggest stars at the time that have stood the test of time. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most noteworthy cards from the 1988 Score checklist.
Perhaps the most valuable and iconic 1988 Score card is card #1, featuring Toronto Blue Jays outfielder and future Hall of Famer José Canseco in his rookie season. Canseco burst onto the MLB scene in 1988 by being named American League Rookie of the Year and MVP after hitting 33 home runs with a league-leading 124 RBIs. His powerful style of play helped usher in the “Steroid Era” of the 1990s. The Canseco rookie is one of the key rookie cards from the late 1980s that holds a premium value today, often fetching hundreds of dollars even in low grades. Getting this influential rookie card in gem mint condition could cost a collector over $1000.
Another hugely important rookie card from 1988 Score is card #177, showing Oakland Athletics lefty pitcher Dennis Eckersley in his first season after switching from being a starter to a reliever. Eckersley’s move to the bullpen immediately paid dividends, as he won the American League Cy Young and MVP awards that year after posting a league-best 45 saves and 0.61 ERA. He would cement his legacy as one of the best closers in MLB history over the next several seasons. Eckersley’s rookie reliever card isn’t quite as sought after as Canseco’s since he had established seasons prior, but it still carries significant appeal to collectors 35 years later.
Next up is scorecard #450 featuring Chicago Cubs superstar Ryne Sandberg. While not a rookie card, 1988 was considered Sandberg’s finest season as he captured the National League MVP award while slashing .308/.367/.523 with 19 home runs and 100 RBIs, showcasing his incredible all-around skill set. Sandberg became a fan favorite in Chicago and his classic mid-swing photo on the 1988 Score card made it one of the most visually appealing cards of that year’s set. Even though he wasn’t a rookie, the Sandberg remains an iconic card from the time period.
How about a true “superstar showcase” card? Look no further than card #11, featuring Boston Red Sox slugger and two-time AL MVP Wade Boggs. Boggs was an ultra-consistent hitter who batted over .300 in each of his seasons from 1982-1988, including a league-best .357 average on the year this card was produced. His smooth left-handed swing was a thing of beauty and the close-up headshot on the ’88 Score Boggs makes for one of the cleanest and most recognizable star cards of the bunch. This is a must-have for any collector looking to represent some of baseball’s 80s offensive greats.
Switching gears to pitching, Oakland A’s flamethrower Bob Welch takes the mound on card #528. Welch at the time was coming off a career year in 1987 where he went 27-6 with an ERA of 2.95 to capture the American League Cy Young Award. His dynamic over-the-top delivery and ability to rack up strikeouts made Welch appointment viewing. While he didn’t have quite as dominant a season in ’88, Welch was still one of the AL’s elite hurlers and his Score card showcases him at the peak of his powers in uniform for one of the decade’s greatest franchises.
Rounding out our list, let’s spotlight cards #660 and #667, respectively featuring New York Yankees superstars Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield. Mattingly owned a .311 batting average from 1984-1988 and was the heart and soul of the Yankees franchise as their smooth-swinging first baseman. Meanwhile, Winfield provided consistent 20-home run seasons for New York and was the complete five-tool player package. Both guys were absolute Yankees legends of the ’80s and their ’88 Score cards with the iconic NY logo are must-haves for any collector looking to represent that franchise and era.
The 1988 Score set gave collectors so many ways to remember the game’s biggest names and moments from 35 years ago. While it didn’t achieve quite the same lofty status as flagship brands like Topps, Score certainly carved out its own place in the industry by rolling out sharp designs that perfectly captured the era. From rookie gems like Canseco and Eckersley to superstar showcases like Sandberg, Boggs, Welch, Mattingly and Winfield, 1988 Score had no shortage of must-own cards that still hold value to this day. It was truly one of the premiere releases for collectors of that basketball-crazed decade.
