The 7 Most Iconic & Important 1987 Topps Baseball Cards

From Bo Jackson to Barry Bonds, these are the seven most valuable cards from the iconic 1987 Topps baseball set.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:48pm

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most recognizable and iconic in the hobby. Despite massive overproduction during the Junk Wax Era, certain cards from the set have become highly sought after by collectors, especially those featuring Hall of Famers, MVPs, and baseball legends. This article highlights the seven most important and valuable 1987 Topps cards, including cards of Pete Rose, Don Mattingly, Mark McGwire, Nolan Ryan, Jose Canseco, Bo Jackson, and Barry Bonds.

Why it matters

The 1987 Topps set represents a pivotal moment in baseball card collecting history, as it was produced during a time of massive overproduction and the rise of the 'Junk Wax Era.' While most cards from the set remain affordable, a select group of cards featuring some of the biggest names in baseball have separated themselves from the pack and now command premium prices from collectors who grew up in the 1980s and are seeking out the best versions of the cards they collected as kids.

The details

The 1987 Topps set featured a wood-grain design that has become synonymous with 1980s baseball card nostalgia. Despite the massive print runs, certain cards from the set have become highly sought after, including the Pete Rose player and manager cards, the Don Mattingly card with a birth year error, the Mark McGwire 'rookie' card, the Nolan Ryan card, the Jose Canseco rookie card, the Bo Jackson rookie card, and the Barry Bonds rookie card. Many of these cards, especially in high-grade Gem Mint condition, have seen their values skyrocket in recent years as interest in 1980s sports cards has surged.

  • The 1987 Topps baseball card set was released in 1987.
  • Pete Rose passed away in September 2022.

The players

Pete Rose

A former professional baseball player and manager who is one of the most iconic and controversial figures in baseball history.

Don Mattingly

A former professional baseball player who was a star for the New York Yankees in the 1980s and 1990s, and is considered by many to be a Hall of Fame-caliber player.

Mark McGwire

A former professional baseball player who is best known for breaking the single-season home run record in 1998 while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Nolan Ryan

A former professional baseball player who is considered one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the game, playing for the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, and California Angels over his 27-year career.

Jose Canseco

A former professional baseball player who was a star outfielder in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and is considered one of the most prominent figures associated with the steroid era in baseball.

Bo Jackson

A former professional baseball and football player who is considered one of the greatest multi-sport athletes of all time.

Barry Bonds

A former professional baseball player who is considered one of the greatest hitters in the history of the game, and is also associated with the steroid era in baseball.

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What they’re saying

“Sorry I Bet on Baseball.”

— Pete Rose

The takeaway

The 1987 Topps baseball card set represents a pivotal moment in the history of sports card collecting, as it was produced during a time of massive overproduction and the rise of the 'Junk Wax Era.' While most cards from the set remain affordable, a select group of cards featuring some of the biggest names in baseball have become highly sought after by collectors, with values that have skyrocketed in recent years as interest in 1980s sports cards has surged.