The 1987 baseball card season featured some hugely valuable rookie cards that have increased substantially in value over the past few decades. One of the most prominent is the Ken Griffey Jr rookie card. Griffey was undoubtedly one of the most talented and exciting players of his generation and his rookie card from 1987 Topps has become one of the most iconic and valuable cards ever issued. In Near Mint to Mint condition, Griffey’s rookie currently sells for thousands of dollars and high-grade specimens can fetch over $10,000. Another hugely expensive 1987 rookie is that of Mark McGwire from Donruss. McGwire went on to have one of the most prolific home run hitting careers ever and his rookie card value has soared over time. Nicely centered copies trade hands for $2,000-$3,000 while true high-grades can sell for five figures, making it one of the most valuable cards from the late 1980s.
Speaking of prolific home run hitters, Jose Canseco’s rookie card from 1987 Topps is also very desirable for collectors. Canseco helped usher in the power hitting era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While he never quite lived up to expectations over the long haul, his rookie card remains a key piece for team and player collectors from this period. Mint condition Canseco rookies sell in the $300-$500 range while low-population high-grades can exceed $1,000. Another member of the “Bash Brothers” whose rookie gained recognition was Mark McGwire, this time from his cardboard debut in Donruss. McGwire went on to have one of the most prolific home run hitting careers ever and his rookie card value has soared over time. Nicely centered copies trade hands for $2,000-$3,000 while true high-grades can sell for five figures, making it one of the most valuable cards from the late 1980s.
While position players see the most excitement on the vintage card market, there were also several high-value pitching rookie cards printed in 1987 sets. Perhaps the most notable is Dwight Gooden’s Topps rookie from his Cy Young Award-winning 1985 season. “Doc” Gooden electrified the baseball world as a flame-throwing teenager and his iconic 1985 Topps card remains a must-have for Mets and 80s collectors. Top-graded examples can reach the $10,000+ range for this true blue chip of the vintage period. Another pricey hurler is Orel Hershiser. After breaking Don Drysdale’s scoreless innings streak and winning both the Cy Young and World Series MVP in 1988, interest in his 1986 Donruss and 1987 Fleer/Topps rookies skyrocketed. Near-gem copies can be found in the $500-800 range with pristine specimens selling upwards of $2,000.
It wasn’t just the most star-studded young players who had valuable cards in 1987. Sets from this period also featured key rookie cards for some future Hall of Famers who were still early in their careers at the time. For example, the 1987 Topps Traded set featured premier rookies of Barry Larkin, Tom Glavine, and Mark McGwire that hold premium appeal to collectors. Graded versions of these cards can reach the $200-500 level depending on condition. Additionally, Ripken collectors love chasing his 1980 Topps Traded and 1981 Donruss/Fleer rookies from his early Orioles days. These see prices in the $75-150 NM-MT range. And Tony Gwynn fans seek out his 1981 Topps, 1981 Donruss, and 1982 Fleer debuts priced $50-150 based on condition. Cards featuring rookie seasons of HOF’ers Griffey, Ripken, Glavine, Gwynn, and others make for very strong long-term holds.
The 1987 baseball card season greatly featured the rookie cards of many future Hall of Famers and peak performers who dominated the game in the 1990s. Ken Griffey Jr, Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Dwight Gooden and Orel Hershiser stand out amongst the most expensive and recognizable. But collections and investors would also be well served by including the earliest cards of Larkin, Ripken, Glavine, Gwynn and other legends who were just starting their careers in 1987. This makes sets from this window an iconic period for the hobby with cards primed to retain and increase value for decades to come.
