One of the biggest rookie cards featured in the 1987 Topps baseball set was Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Bell on card #88. Bell had just come off a phenomenal rookie season in 1986 where he batted .273 with 27 home runs and 87 RBI. He would go on to win the American League MVP award in 1987, batting .308 with 47 home runs and 134 RBI. The 1987 Topps rookie card of George Bell is one of the all-time iconic rookie cards from the 1980s and remains a highly sought after card by collectors today.
Another highly valuable rookie card from 1987 Topps was Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Teddy Higuera on card #456. Higuera broke out in 1987 with a record of 15-9 and an ERA of 2.96 in 31 starts. While he did not win Rookie of the Year, Higuera established himself as an elite pitcher in the league. He would go on to three straight All-Star selections from 1987-1989. The error-filled 1987 Topps Higuera rookie is one of the most desired Brewers cards from the late 1980s.
One of the most anticipated rookie cards in 1987 Topps was Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine on card #480. Glavine made his MLB debut in 1987 and had a very solid season, going 13-8 with a 3.68 ERA in 31 starts. While he lost out on Rookie of the Year honors to Cardinals catcher Todd Zeile, Glavine established himself as a future ace. He would go on to win two Cy Young Awards and help the Braves win the 1995 World Series. Glavine’s sharp rookie card is highly sought after by both Braves and baseball card collectors.
Another notable rookie in the 1987 Topps set was California Angels pitcher Chuck Finley on card #210. Finley made his MLB debut in 1987 after being selected 5th overall by the Angels in the 1984 draft. In his first full season, Finley went 11-11 with a 3.68 ERA in 30 starts. He finished 4th in Rookie of the Year voting. Finley went on to become one of the top left-handed starters in the American League throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. His well-centered 1987 Topps rookie card is a key piece for Angels collectors.
One of the standout shortstop rookies featured in 1987 Topps was Oakland A’s prospect Walt Weiss on card #256. Weiss made his big league debut in 1987 and batted .268 in 105 games as Oakland’s regular shortstop. He finished 6th in Rookie of the Year voting. While he never developed into a superstar, Weiss had a long, respectable career spanning 19 seasons in the majors. His 1987 rookie card is an important piece in any A’s or shortstop collection.
Another notable rookie card in the 1987 Topps set belonged to Chicago White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk on card #340. “Pudge” was in his early 30s but was still performing at an All-Star level for Chicago when Topps included his rookie card in the 1987 set in error. While not truly a rookie card, Fisk’s 1987 issue is still highly coveted by both White Sox and Hall of Fame collectors alike due to the rarity of the error.
The 1987 Topps baseball card set featured the debut cards of several future all-time greats like Tom Glavine and standout rookie seasons from George Bell, Chuck Finley and Teddy Higuera. More modest debuts from Walt Weiss and others are also keys for team collectors. Cardinals fans eagerly await the return of the rookie card error starring Carlton Fisk to lists of collectibles. The rookie class of 1987 produced many memorable players and their debut cards remain highly valuable in the hobby today.
