The 1987 Topps baseball card set was the 66th annual complete set released by Topps and featured cards on players from that 1987 Major League Baseball season. It was the height of the “Junk Wax” era in the late 1980s that saw baseball cards mass produced at unprecedented levels which flooded the market. The 1987 Topps set is still considered a classic among collectors and contains many iconic cards that remain popular to this day.
The set contains 792 total cards including 528 base cards, 264 traded/update cards, and several special subsets. The design of the cards featured a simple white border with blue and red color blocks on either side containing stats and other information. The player’s photo was centered in the middle of the card over a baseball diamond pattern background. On the back was a career stats table and occasional puzzle pieces that could be collected to solve word games.
Some of the notable rookie cards in the 1987 Topps set included Barry Larkin, Tom Glavine, Dennis Eckersley, David Cone, and Ben McDonald. Larkin, Glavine, and Eckersley in particular went on to have Hall of Fame careers and their rookie cards remain highly sought after by collectors. Other stars featured on the base cards included Don Mattingly, Kirby Puckett, Rickey Henderson, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Dwight Gooden, Ozzie Smith, and Ryne Sandberg among many others.
The 1987 set is also recognized for its memorable traded and update cards that document late season player transactions. For example, the Nolan Ryan traded card shows him with the Houston Astros after being dealt from the Mets. Other notable traded cards include Steve Carlton going to the Indians, Keith Hernandez to the Mets, and Larry Parrish to the Rangers. The extensive number of traded and update cards help capture the dynamics of the 1987 season and roster movement.
Among the special subsets in the 1987 Topps set was “20 Season Leaders” honors the top single season statistic holders from 1966-1986 in various categories. Future Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, and Mike Schmidt are prominently featured. Other inserts included league leader cards for the 1986 season, All-Star cards highlighting the 1987 midsummer classic in Oakland, and Final Edition cards of players who retired after the 1986 season like Willie McCovey.
The 1987 Topps set also contained several popular oddball inserts with novel concepts even for the Junk Wax era. These included Record Breaker cards highlighting new franchise marks, Diamond Kings fantasy subset imagining renowned players as modern day kings, and Bat-Around cards picturing players alongside oversized baseball bats in various cartoon scenarios. Such quirky bonus cards added uniqueness and collecting intrigue beyond the traditional rookie and star player base cards.
While production numbers were sky high during the late 1980s, the 1987 Topps set endures in popularity due its classic design, storied rookie cards, plethora of traded updates, and memorable special subsets. Even unopened wax boxes can still be found at affordable prices making it an achievable set for most collectors. Many consider it as one of the best and most representative issues from the peak of the “Junk Wax” era. While individual cards may not accrue big investment value, the 1987 Topps baseball cards as a complete set remains prized by vintage collectors. Over 30 years later it continues to deliver affordable nostalgia and features some of the game’s true icons from that memorable season.
While 1987 Topps baseball cards were among the most mass produced of all time, the complete 792 card set still holds significance for its ability to capture the 1987 MLB season. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers, extensive traded updates, creative inserts, and recognizable stars on each card give the issue lasting charm and appeal. The simplistic yet emblematic design lends itself well to the nostalgia of the era. For both casual collectors and investors, the 1987 Topps baseball cards remain a defining set from the height of the “Junk Wax” boom that has deservedly earned its place as a priceless piece of cardboard pop culture history.
