Wow Nic! That is one dead centered beauty…amazing choice.
This next player needs no introduction. He is hands down the most dominate lefty in the modern era. What’s most amazing to me is that Randy didn’t really break into the bigs until age 25. I had the opportunity to see him pitch once from seats right behind home plate. You could literally hear the seams on the baseball cutting through the air and the movement on that slider was insane! I can see why John Kruk refused to bat against him in the all-star game. Not only is Johnson a 1980’s must have, he is also a Top 25 All Time Great. Who doesn’t love a Big Unit!?!?
As Nic will attest, the top rookie of 1989 is also the greatest player of his generation. No one since Mickey Mantle has captured the imagination of baseball fans like Ken Griffey, Jr. If you collected during the 80s and 90s, Griffey was the cornerstone of any modern collection. His wide smile, backwards cap, beautiful HR swing and insane glove in CF placed him at the top of collector’s want lists. There was no bigger baseball card in the 80s than Griffey’s Upper Deck RC. Had he not struggled with injuries after age 30, we would be talking about Junior as a top five all-time great. Despite the injuries, he still sits in most discussions as a top 25 all-time player.
Yes, his 1989 UD was my card of choice. Some players are so amazing that you just can’t stop at one card though. That is why I had to add his first card, the 1987 Bellingham Mariners minor league issue too. It has always puzzled me that minor league rookies have never garnered more attention. Let’s face it, mainstay brands in the 80s were massively over produced. However, minor league rookies were legitimately limited in production and finding them in PSA 9 or PSA 10 can be a challenge. Regardless of value, I am very happy to have both issues in my collection.
Shifting gears to 1988, the next player on my list lead MLB in hits during the decade of the 90s. The Cubs were always on WGN and so Harry Carey was my window to learning the game of baseball at a young age. Mark Grace burst onto the scene as a batting title contender who could hit with power and field with a gold glove. I remember meeting him at a baseball card show signing when I was in middle school, and he was a true gentleman. He was the first superstar that I ever met in person.
His 1988 Score Rookie & Traded always seemed to be the most out of reach as a young collector. I remember filling a 9-pocket pages with his Donruss and Fleer rookies, but the Score rookie was much more limited in my area. Gracie will always hold a strong place in my 80’s collecting heart!
@jordangretzkyfan said:
Shifting gears to 1988, the next player on my list lead MLB in hits during the decade of the 90s. The Cubs were always on WGN and so Harry Carey was my window to learning the game of baseball at a young age. Mark Grace burst onto the scene as a batting title contender who could hit with power and field with a gold glove. I remember meeting him at a baseball card show signing when I was in middle school, and he was a true gentleman. He was the first superstar that I ever met in person.
His 1988 Score Rookie & Traded always seemed to be the most out of reach as a young collector. I remember filling a 9-pocket pages with his Donruss and Fleer rookies, but the Score rookie was much more limited in my area. Gracie will always hold a strong place in my 80’s collecting heart!
Like you, I remember meeting him at a baseball card show in Tulsa where he was the featured autograph guest. At that annual show he followed Mantle and Bench from the two years before, so the promoters must have thought pretty highly of him! He was very nice, and I still have my autographed ball from that meeting. I always thought with his consistency and how he played the game that he would end up a hall of famer. Even though he hasn't gotten there, he is still one of my favorites. Back in 88-89, finding a Mark Grace rookie made for a really good day!
Thanks for sharing.
kevin
@jordangretzkyfan said:
As Nic will attest, the top rookie of 1989 is also the greatest player of his generation. No one since Mickey Mantle has captured the imagination of baseball fans like Ken Griffey, Jr. If you collected during the 80s and 90s, Griffey was the cornerstone of any modern collection. His wide smile, backwards cap, beautiful HR swing and insane glove in CF placed him at the top of collector’s want lists. There was no bigger baseball card in the 80s than Griffey’s Upper Deck RC. Had he not struggled with injuries after age 30, we would be talking about Junior as a top five all-time great. Despite the injuries, he still sits in most discussions as a top 25 all-time player.
So I diverge in both ways from this. First, the 1989 Upper Deck is one of the big three iconic cards in the baseball card hobby (not comparing other sports) with the T206 Wagner and the 1952 Topps Mantle. It' not close and there likely will never be a fourth card to capture everyone's imagination like these three have.
Second, it is hard for me to make a definition of "his generation" that puts Griffey in the top five greatest players of his generation. Yes, what might have been if he hadn't been finished at 30. But we can't give awards based on that.
Up Next is one of the more understated Hall of Famer‘s whose rookie appeared in the 1980s. With over 3000 hits and a 7x All-Star, Biggio was a versatile player (C/2B) who helped anchor Houston’s “Killer Bs” for two decades. A fierce competitor, Craig belongs in any best of the 80s collection. Once again, the Score R&T was my rookie card of choice with close consideration of his 1988 Fleer Update.
If not for his questionable character moments, Roberto Alomar would be held in the highest esteem of historic second baseman. A two time World Series champion, Alomar was a central figure in helping win those titles. With over 2700 hits and 10 gold gloves, he easily ranks in the top 10 second baseman of all time. No 80s collection is complete without Alomar‘s key rookie card.
Arguably the greatest DH of all time, Martinez gave the Mariner’s the most feared 1-2 punch alongside Griffey during the decade of the 90s. His elegant swing produced a .312 lifetime career average and he smacked 300+ HR to go with it. Elected into the HOF in 2019, Edgar belongs in any quintessential 1980s rookie collection.
One of only 24 pitchers in the history of MLB to amass 300+ wins, a 2x Cy Young winner, 28th overall in pitching WAR, the MVP of the 1995 World Series, 29th in all-time strikeouts and a 1st ballot HOFer with over 91% of the votes. Imagine these mind blowing stats and not even being the best pitcher on your team!?!? Tom Glavine is the most underrated pitcher of this decade of rookies, because he had to live in the shadow of Greg Maddux. If you are a fan of the 80s or a collector of HOFers, then Tom is a “must have.” Fleer was the brand of choice in 1988, so it closely edged out his Donruss RC for me.
The 88D Alomar and Grace were the first “big” rookie cards that I acquired in quantity. It was incredible to me that 88Donruss was freely available after barely ever seeing 87D, and when I did see them they were $1 per 87D pck. Then 88F began surfacing in stores and that was mind blowing to me as 87F was even more scarce than 87D. As a kid I thought I had stumbled into massive lucky runs at these local stores. When in reality, the spigot was not only turned on, but re-engineered to push out more volume than ever before. By the end of 88 there was definitely a rebalancing of value in my mind and an appreciation for the “under printed” issues of 87F and D.
Glavine wasn’t even a thought to any of us in 1988. But what a powerful argument for most underrated of his era.
John
Conundrum - Loving my unopened baseball card collection....but really like ripping too
@lwehlers said:
i really like all of the autograph cards.
Thanks. I appreciate it. I have gotten into such a kick of having an auto + game relic of the biggest stars of the 80s to pair with their RC. Been a fun collecting project.
Next up as we transition into 1987 is the top ace of the Atlanta Braves rotation. Greg had simply dominate control and pinpoint placement of his pitches while mastering change of speed in delivery. Maddux never possessed the blistering heat of Johnson or Clemens. Instead, he was the Michelangelo of painting home plate. A 4x Cy Young winner with 355 career wins (8th all-time) and an astounding 18 Gold Gloves, Greg is one of the top 15 baseball players of all-time. Add to it a great sense of humor and humility, and it’s hard not to love “the professor.”
The obvious choice is Greg’s 1987 Donruss Rated Rookie as it is his only pack available RC. The dark borders and centering challenges also make this a bit tougher to find in top condition versus his 1987 Fleer Update and 1987 Topps Traded. As I said before, a handful of players are so great that you simply cannot go with only one rookie. The 1986 Pittsfield minor league rookie provides a great value on a much more limited print run of a MLB all-time great.
Up next from the rookie card class of 1987 is a man simply known as “Will The Thrill.” If you were collecting during the 1989 NLCS, you remember just how hot his 1987 Fleer card got. Will Clark had an effortless swing the could produce power and an eye that lead to a career average above .300. Back in the day, he seemed like a lock for the HOF. A staple of the 1980s, these cards simply look stunning and are a testament to childhood nostalgia.
A 12x all-star, MVP in 1995 and a key member of the 1990 Red’s World Series team, Barry Larkin consistently is ranked right at the cusp of the top 100 MLB players of all time. Larkin excelled at famed Moeller High School, went on to compete at University of Michigan and help Team USA to a gold medal in 1984. Always the consummate professional and stoic team captain, Barry embodies the exact character you want in a team leader.
My favorite set design for Fleer in the 80s has always been 1987. Something about those sky blue borders and players breaking through the upper border make these cards pop in my eye. So the choice of Larkin’s rookie was an easy one for me.
The ultimate “What if?” athlete of the 80s. Arguably the most all-around athletic star since Jim Thorp. Bo Jackson burst onto the baseball scene just as quickly as he was gone. If you collected in the 80s, this guy was literally Superman. He would break 90+ yard runs on the gridiron and defy gravity by running up and down the outfield wall while making an insane catch in CF. He is the only player to be both a MLB all-star and NFL pro-bowler. Bo was simply superhuman during the brief span from 1988-1991. Anyone who played Tecmo Bowl knows just how good Bo was 🤣
With his career cut short by a fluke injury from a typical tackle during an AFC playoff game, the world lost one of its most talented athletes. After the hip injury, Jackson was robbed of the speed and power that made him a once in a generation athlete. “Bo knows” that no 80’s collection is complete without him.
^ I love a common card that in my youth I’d consider garbage takes on the same aura as a coveted rookie when it’s perfectly centered…at least now that we’re 30+ years out haha. Funny how perception and context can change things. Thanks as always!
@MParker79 said:
^ I love a common card that in my youth I’d consider garbage takes on the same aura as a coveted rookie when it’s perfectly centered…at least now that we’re 30+ years out haha. Funny how perception and context can change things. Thanks as always!
Great insight…I am with you. When all elements of condition are perfect, these common cards become tiny little works of art in my eye too 🤣
Love him or hate him, Barry Bonds belongs in the top five players of all-time. Not since Mays has a player had the power and speed combination of Bonds. It is widely assumed that Bonds began using PEDs in the off-season of 1998 after McGwire and Sosa were stealing all the headlines for crushing the single season HR record. Even at that time, Bonds was already a 500 HR and 500 SB player. Yes, the juice likely added 100-125 HRs to Barry’s career totals, but even without that we would all still be talking about a top 10 player.
These numbers and awards are crazy….7x MVP (1st all-time), 762 HR (1st all-time), 2,297 Runs (3rd all-time), 1,996 RBI (6th all-time), 514 SB (34th all-time), 1.051 OBPS (4th all-time) and 162.7 WAR (4th all-time). I wish his stats were pure so a more consistent comparison could be made to past generations. You have to judge each player not just in total numbers but also by the era and competition they faced. Bonds simply dominated the competition during the window of broad PED users and for that he belongs in my HOF and iconic 80’s rookie collection.
It was a tie for me on RC choice. His 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany is the “must have” for this 7x MVP. However, I wanted his 1987 Fleer base RC too, since it is my favorite design. 🙂
Known as “The Big Cat,” Galarraga has always been just outside HOF discussion despite a very solid career. A 5x all-star with a career .288 average, 399 HR, 2333 hits and 2x gold gloves, Andres was a staple in the Expos and Rockies lineups for many years.
This was an easy choice in RC as the 1986 Donruss Rated Rookie is his only pack pulled solo appearance. No offense to Fred Toliver, but I prefer Galarraga by himself.
From Big Cats to Crime Dogs. Personally, I think Fred McGriff is one of the more underrated players of his generation. A 5x all-star with 493 HR and nearly 2500 hits. He was a staple of the Atlanta Braves teams that dominated the 90s. No 80s collection is complete without his 1986 Donruss RC, which can be tough to find centered in high grade.
This was an easy choice in RC as the 1986 Donruss Rated Rookie is his only pack pulled solo appearance. No offense to Fred Toliver, but I prefer Galarraga by himself.
Sweet cards. But make that two possible from packs... Don't forget the Leaf version, eh?
Sweet cards. But make that two possible from packs... Don't forget the Leaf version, eh?
-Nathanael
Yah, dat dare was an overlook by me, eh? Excellent catch!
There was no bigger RC in the back half of the 80s than the 1986 Donruss Jose Canseco. While the Griffey UD rookie is the more iconic, that card didn’t really take off until 1990. I remember the 86D Canseco jumping from $15 to $125 nearly overnight as Jose demolished the baseball and base paths during the 1988 season. A beastly, bulging man in a blue leisure suit (yes, Christmas Vacation is my favorite holiday movie)…Jose was a menacing opponent to any pitcher. A 6x all-star, the original 40/40 man, over 450 HR and a dating stint with Madonna made Jose a seeming lock for the HOF. Unfortunately, the confirmation of his steroid use changed his role in the game forever as he shed first light on the rampant use of PEDs in the 80s/90s. Personally, I am thankful Canseco was candid about the sport and for that he clearly belongs in my 80s collection HOF.
The other half of the “Bash Brothers“ is up next. Mark McGwire unleashed home runs at a rate faster than any other player in MLB history at only 10.6 At Bats per HR. He started this pace as a rookie in 1987, smashing 49 home runs and setting the then record for a rookie season. If you have not yet watched ESPN 30-for-30 Long Gone Summer, you need to see this documentary. The home run race of 1998 was widely regarded as bringing baseball back from the near death of the 1994-1995 strike. With McGwire and Sosa chasing headlines on ESPN every night, fans started to regain their love for one of the worlds greatest sports! Too many collectors get hung up on the PED focus and forget the massive role that Mark McGwire played in the history of baseball. He is an icon of the 80s and his 1985 Topps OLY RC is a top 5 card from the era. I never tire of looking at this card and thinking back to desperately wanting it as a kid.
@jordangretzkyfan said:
The other half of the “Bash Brothers“ is up next. Mark McGwire unleashed home runs at a rate faster than any other player in MLB history at only 10.6 At Bats per HR. He started this pace as a rookie in 1987, smashing 49 home runs and setting the then record for a rookie season. If you have not yet watched ESPN 30-for-30 Long Gone Summer, you need to see this documentary. The home run race of 1998 was widely regarded as bringing baseball back from the near death of the 1994-1995 strike. With McGwire and Sosa chasing headlines on ESPN every night, fans started to regain their love for one of the worlds greatest sports! Too many collectors get hung up on the PED focus and forget the massive role that Mark McGwire played in the history of baseball. He is an icon of the 80s and his 1985 Topps OLY RC is a top 5 card from the era. I never tire of looking at this card and thinking back to desperately wanting it as a kid.
Absolutely no reason to put Ortiz in the Hall when McGwire is outside. Very similar, but McGwire was better in (almost) every way.
@emar said:
"
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4th year anniversary coming up.
One of the coolest threads available to the hobby.
Your dedication has been exemplary
Wow…I’m flattered you remembered the anniversary of this thread. I appreciate it! Yes, tomorrow will mark 4 years of this amazing quest to build perfect sets from my childhood collecting days. Funny to see how the hobby has evolved over this timespan from a massive influx of new collectors, to the rapid rise of prices across unopened and iconic singles, to the limiting of grading services and massive increase in fees. I wouldn’t change this experience for anything as it has been a continual trip down memory lane for me. Ok, I might change grading fees back down to the $8/card bulk sub level, but nothing other than that 🙂
Next up for the 1985 rookies that made my all-time 80’s list is Orel Hershiser. Talk about a dominate pitcher for this era. With over 200 wins, a Cy Young award and a World Series MVP on his resume, I am always perplexed at how Orel doesn’t capture more hobby love. His 59 consecutive scoreless innings is a record that still stands, and is a tribute to just how dominate he was during the late 80s.
His 1985 Fleer RC was the obvious choice for me. This card is deceptively hard to find centered in a PSA 9 or better condition. Orel is a must have for any Dodgers fan or 1980’s collector.
This thread is just great! I’ve noticed you focus on well centered 9’s, instead of 10’s…so you think that’s the best value? Personally I’ve shied from any 10 because on many I can find flaws that for me would bump them down to a 9…mainly centering. Anyway, thanks again for this thread!
@MParker79 said:
This thread is just great! I’ve noticed you focus on well centered 9’s, instead of 10’s…so you think that’s the best value? Personally I’ve shied from any 10 because on many I can find flaws that for me would bump them down to a 9…mainly centering. Anyway, thanks again for this thread!
Thanks for the kind words! Yes, I think dead centered PSA 9 are a much better value when buying already graded versus the premium the market is currently placing on PSA 10. Similar to you, I can almost always find a centering or print imperfection on many PSA 10 cards I see for sale. I have actually had good luck in the past cracking a group of dead centered PSA 9 and then resubbing them. At least a handful seem to come back as dimes the second time around. That’s why I focus on strongly centered 9s. You have to be patient and picky, but a really strong 9 is often as strong eye appeal as a 10.
The last of my 1985 selections is none other than “Eric the Red.” If injuries didn’t take a toll during his career, we might be talking about another 500 HR and 500 SB player from the 80s. A perennial 30/30 threat, Davis ran like a gazelle while still having massive pop from his thin and lanky frame. A 3x gold glove winner, Davis was at the top of most want lists from 1986-1990.
Similar to Hershiser, Eric’s 1985 Fleer can be tricky to find dead centered in PSA 9 or better.
On the four year anniversary of this thread, seems only fitting to rip a box of one of my favorite sets throughout the day. Here goes a box of 1987 Fleer…
@jordangretzkyfan said:
The last of my 1985 selections is none other than “Eric the Red.” If injuries didn’t take a toll during his career, we might be talking about another 500 HR and 500 SB player from the 80s. A perennial 30/30 threat, Davis ran like a gazelle while still having massive pop from his thin and lanky frame. A 3x gold glove winner, Davis was at the top of most want lists from 1986-1990.
I've posted this link before in other threads whenever the topic of the speed and power combination of Eric Davis comes up. Those of you that's read it already, my apologies. For those of you not quite familiar with just how amazing Davis was before injury problems took hold, prepare to be amazed... https://www.mlb.com/news/eric-davis-put-up-video-game-stats-for-reds-c279109048
Transitioning to the rookie card class of 1984, brings us to Joe Carter. His career defining moment came on the walk-off game winning HR in game 7 of the World Series. To say Carter was clutch on the big stage is an understatement. While likely not a HOF player, Carter strung together an outstanding career with nearly 400 HR and close to 1500 RBI. He also won 2x World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays after playing for the hapless 1980’s Cleveland Indians for the first part of his career.
There is something about the mystic 1984 Donruss set and it’s perceived scarcity that make this card that much cooler. Add to it the first appearance of the “Rated Rookies” subset plus the tough centering challenges and you have the elements of an iconic 80’s RC.
As the 1985 MVP, a 9x gold glove winner and perennial all-star, Don Mattingly was the gold standard for baseball players in the 80s. Playing for the Yankees didn’t hurt either. He was the hobby’s biggest name among active players and was on the cover of nearly every baseball card magazine. If you were busting packs in the 80s, you were simply hoping Mattingly was in there.
His 1984 Donruss RC was the hottest in the hobby for the majority of the decade. It is easily one of the top five most iconic baseball cards of the 80s, right there with the 80T Henderson, 82TT Ripken, 86D Canseco and 89UD Griffey. I rarely, if ever, saw one for sale as a kid. This card was mythic. Finding a dead centered PSA 9 or higher draws an equal challenge now as an adult.
Sweet cards. But make that two possible from packs... Don't forget the Leaf version, eh?
-Nathanael
Yah, dat dare was an overlook by me, eh? Excellent catch!
There was no bigger RC in the back half of the 80s than the 1986 Donruss Jose Canseco. While the Griffey UD rookie is the more iconic, that card didn’t really take off until 1990. I remember the 86D Canseco jumping from $15 to $125 nearly overnight as Jose demolished the baseball and base paths during the 1988 season. A beastly, bulging man in a blue leisure suit (yes, Christmas Vacation is my favorite holiday movie)…Jose was a menacing opponent to any pitcher. A 6x all-star, the original 40/40 man, over 450 HR and a dating stint with Madonna made Jose a seeming lock for the HOF. Unfortunately, the confirmation of his steroid use changed his role in the game forever as he shed first light on the rampant use of PEDs in the 80s/90s. Personally, I am thankful Canseco was candid about the sport and for that he clearly belongs in my 80s collection HOF.
Love it Chris!
The 86D canseco was mythical. I acquired one at $9 at a show in Edison, Nj.
86D packs were only at shows and $10 per
Never saw someone open one much less opened one myself. So when I rolled back into collecting in 2011, the 86D packs were top of mind.
Thanks to the unopened guys here who inspired me to aspire to an unopened collection.
I’m thrilled to have my modest 86D collection. As a kid in 87/88, this would have been insane!
Conundrum - Loving my unopened baseball card collection....but really like ripping too
That 86D collection is a thing of beauty, John! I love the counter display case. I think display cases are very underrated and show the era beautifully…takes me back to the local general store days as a kid!
Comments
Wow Nic! That is one dead centered beauty…amazing choice.
This next player needs no introduction. He is hands down the most dominate lefty in the modern era. What’s most amazing to me is that Randy didn’t really break into the bigs until age 25. I had the opportunity to see him pitch once from seats right behind home plate. You could literally hear the seams on the baseball cutting through the air and the movement on that slider was insane! I can see why John Kruk refused to bat against him in the all-star game. Not only is Johnson a 1980’s must have, he is also a Top 25 All Time Great. Who doesn’t love a Big Unit!?!?
Thanks!
Now you are hitting on my Mariner’s teams of the 90’s with Jr and the crew. Randy was just devastating to hitters. Solid choice there for sure!
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
As Nic will attest, the top rookie of 1989 is also the greatest player of his generation. No one since Mickey Mantle has captured the imagination of baseball fans like Ken Griffey, Jr. If you collected during the 80s and 90s, Griffey was the cornerstone of any modern collection. His wide smile, backwards cap, beautiful HR swing and insane glove in CF placed him at the top of collector’s want lists. There was no bigger baseball card in the 80s than Griffey’s Upper Deck RC. Had he not struggled with injuries after age 30, we would be talking about Junior as a top five all-time great. Despite the injuries, he still sits in most discussions as a top 25 all-time player.
Yes, his 1989 UD was my card of choice. Some players are so amazing that you just can’t stop at one card though. That is why I had to add his first card, the 1987 Bellingham Mariners minor league issue too. It has always puzzled me that minor league rookies have never garnered more attention. Let’s face it, mainstay brands in the 80s were massively over produced. However, minor league rookies were legitimately limited in production and finding them in PSA 9 or PSA 10 can be a challenge. Regardless of value, I am very happy to have both issues in my collection.
10 x 2 on the 87 Bellingham. Impressive. Hard to get those without out tilt issues.
Jr has some nice collectible 87 and 88 cards. Most have gained some nice traction recently and held strong.
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
Shifting gears to 1988, the next player on my list lead MLB in hits during the decade of the 90s. The Cubs were always on WGN and so Harry Carey was my window to learning the game of baseball at a young age. Mark Grace burst onto the scene as a batting title contender who could hit with power and field with a gold glove. I remember meeting him at a baseball card show signing when I was in middle school, and he was a true gentleman. He was the first superstar that I ever met in person.
His 1988 Score Rookie & Traded always seemed to be the most out of reach as a young collector. I remember filling a 9-pocket pages with his Donruss and Fleer rookies, but the Score rookie was much more limited in my area. Gracie will always hold a strong place in my 80’s collecting heart!
Like you, I remember meeting him at a baseball card show in Tulsa where he was the featured autograph guest. At that annual show he followed Mantle and Bench from the two years before, so the promoters must have thought pretty highly of him! He was very nice, and I still have my autographed ball from that meeting. I always thought with his consistency and how he played the game that he would end up a hall of famer. Even though he hasn't gotten there, he is still one of my favorites. Back in 88-89, finding a Mark Grace rookie made for a really good day!
Thanks for sharing.
kevin
So I diverge in both ways from this. First, the 1989 Upper Deck is one of the big three iconic cards in the baseball card hobby (not comparing other sports) with the T206 Wagner and the 1952 Topps Mantle. It' not close and there likely will never be a fourth card to capture everyone's imagination like these three have.
Second, it is hard for me to make a definition of "his generation" that puts Griffey in the top five greatest players of his generation. Yes, what might have been if he hadn't been finished at 30. But we can't give awards based on that.
Up Next is one of the more understated Hall of Famer‘s whose rookie appeared in the 1980s. With over 3000 hits and a 7x All-Star, Biggio was a versatile player (C/2B) who helped anchor Houston’s “Killer Bs” for two decades. A fierce competitor, Craig belongs in any best of the 80s collection. Once again, the Score R&T was my rookie card of choice with close consideration of his 1988 Fleer Update.
I agree with your choice of the Score traded. My favorite of his too!
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
If not for his questionable character moments, Roberto Alomar would be held in the highest esteem of historic second baseman. A two time World Series champion, Alomar was a central figure in helping win those titles. With over 2700 hits and 10 gold gloves, he easily ranks in the top 10 second baseman of all time. No 80s collection is complete without Alomar‘s key rookie card.
Arguably the greatest DH of all time, Martinez gave the Mariner’s the most feared 1-2 punch alongside Griffey during the decade of the 90s. His elegant swing produced a .312 lifetime career average and he smacked 300+ HR to go with it. Elected into the HOF in 2019, Edgar belongs in any quintessential 1980s rookie collection.
I am with you on the Alomar, other than I always choose base vs traded in a given year, so my nod goes to the 88D.
Edgar, we’ll said there!
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
One of only 24 pitchers in the history of MLB to amass 300+ wins, a 2x Cy Young winner, 28th overall in pitching WAR, the MVP of the 1995 World Series, 29th in all-time strikeouts and a 1st ballot HOFer with over 91% of the votes. Imagine these mind blowing stats and not even being the best pitcher on your team!?!? Tom Glavine is the most underrated pitcher of this decade of rookies, because he had to live in the shadow of Greg Maddux. If you are a fan of the 80s or a collector of HOFers, then Tom is a “must have.” Fleer was the brand of choice in 1988, so it closely edged out his Donruss RC for me.
The 88D Alomar and Grace were the first “big” rookie cards that I acquired in quantity. It was incredible to me that 88Donruss was freely available after barely ever seeing 87D, and when I did see them they were $1 per 87D pck. Then 88F began surfacing in stores and that was mind blowing to me as 87F was even more scarce than 87D. As a kid I thought I had stumbled into massive lucky runs at these local stores. When in reality, the spigot was not only turned on, but re-engineered to push out more volume than ever before. By the end of 88 there was definitely a rebalancing of value in my mind and an appreciation for the “under printed” issues of 87F and D.
Glavine wasn’t even a thought to any of us in 1988. But what a powerful argument for most underrated of his era.
John
i really like all of the autograph cards.
Thanks. I appreciate it. I have gotten into such a kick of having an auto + game relic of the biggest stars of the 80s to pair with their RC. Been a fun collecting project.
Next up as we transition into 1987 is the top ace of the Atlanta Braves rotation. Greg had simply dominate control and pinpoint placement of his pitches while mastering change of speed in delivery. Maddux never possessed the blistering heat of Johnson or Clemens. Instead, he was the Michelangelo of painting home plate. A 4x Cy Young winner with 355 career wins (8th all-time) and an astounding 18 Gold Gloves, Greg is one of the top 15 baseball players of all-time. Add to it a great sense of humor and humility, and it’s hard not to love “the professor.”
The obvious choice is Greg’s 1987 Donruss Rated Rookie as it is his only pack available RC. The dark borders and centering challenges also make this a bit tougher to find in top condition versus his 1987 Fleer Update and 1987 Topps Traded. As I said before, a handful of players are so great that you simply cannot go with only one rookie. The 1986 Pittsfield minor league rookie provides a great value on a much more limited print run of a MLB all-time great.
@jordangretzkyfan you sure are right about centering challenges on the 87D. Nice examples you have! Love each day these are revealed!
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
Up next from the rookie card class of 1987 is a man simply known as “Will The Thrill.” If you were collecting during the 1989 NLCS, you remember just how hot his 1987 Fleer card got. Will Clark had an effortless swing the could produce power and an eye that lead to a career average above .300. Back in the day, he seemed like a lock for the HOF. A staple of the 1980s, these cards simply look stunning and are a testament to childhood nostalgia.
A 12x all-star, MVP in 1995 and a key member of the 1990 Red’s World Series team, Barry Larkin consistently is ranked right at the cusp of the top 100 MLB players of all time. Larkin excelled at famed Moeller High School, went on to compete at University of Michigan and help Team USA to a gold medal in 1984. Always the consummate professional and stoic team captain, Barry embodies the exact character you want in a team leader.
My favorite set design for Fleer in the 80s has always been 1987. Something about those sky blue borders and players breaking through the upper border make these cards pop in my eye. So the choice of Larkin’s rookie was an easy one for me.
How in the world are those cards 9's?
OMG.
Beautiful! 1987 Fleer is my favorite modern card design.
The ultimate “What if?” athlete of the 80s. Arguably the most all-around athletic star since Jim Thorp. Bo Jackson burst onto the baseball scene just as quickly as he was gone. If you collected in the 80s, this guy was literally Superman. He would break 90+ yard runs on the gridiron and defy gravity by running up and down the outfield wall while making an insane catch in CF. He is the only player to be both a MLB all-star and NFL pro-bowler. Bo was simply superhuman during the brief span from 1988-1991. Anyone who played Tecmo Bowl knows just how good Bo was 🤣
With his career cut short by a fluke injury from a typical tackle during an AFC playoff game, the world lost one of its most talented athletes. After the hip injury, Jackson was robbed of the speed and power that made him a once in a generation athlete. “Bo knows” that no 80’s collection is complete without him.
Looking at all these 1987 rookies has me itching for a rip tonight. Back to where I went all in with 1987 Topps…
Hope you have better luck than I did!
Thanks Joe. As we both know, 1987 Topps are a nightmare to find in true GEM MINT condition!
Here are the stars and rookies that missed the mark…
Always a thrill to pull these iconic RCs from this set. None make the grade though as you can see…
I was happy to find 5 candidates for PSA 10 in this box. All are commons, but still happy to beat the GEM MINT odds…
^ I love a common card that in my youth I’d consider garbage takes on the same aura as a coveted rookie when it’s perfectly centered…at least now that we’re 30+ years out haha. Funny how perception and context can change things. Thanks as always!
Great insight…I am with you. When all elements of condition are perfect, these common cards become tiny little works of art in my eye too 🤣
Love him or hate him, Barry Bonds belongs in the top five players of all-time. Not since Mays has a player had the power and speed combination of Bonds. It is widely assumed that Bonds began using PEDs in the off-season of 1998 after McGwire and Sosa were stealing all the headlines for crushing the single season HR record. Even at that time, Bonds was already a 500 HR and 500 SB player. Yes, the juice likely added 100-125 HRs to Barry’s career totals, but even without that we would all still be talking about a top 10 player.
These numbers and awards are crazy….7x MVP (1st all-time), 762 HR (1st all-time), 2,297 Runs (3rd all-time), 1,996 RBI (6th all-time), 514 SB (34th all-time), 1.051 OBPS (4th all-time) and 162.7 WAR (4th all-time). I wish his stats were pure so a more consistent comparison could be made to past generations. You have to judge each player not just in total numbers but also by the era and competition they faced. Bonds simply dominated the competition during the window of broad PED users and for that he belongs in my HOF and iconic 80’s rookie collection.
It was a tie for me on RC choice. His 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany is the “must have” for this 7x MVP. However, I wanted his 1987 Fleer base RC too, since it is my favorite design. 🙂
Known as “The Big Cat,” Galarraga has always been just outside HOF discussion despite a very solid career. A 5x all-star with a career .288 average, 399 HR, 2333 hits and 2x gold gloves, Andres was a staple in the Expos and Rockies lineups for many years.
This was an easy choice in RC as the 1986 Donruss Rated Rookie is his only pack pulled solo appearance. No offense to Fred Toliver, but I prefer Galarraga by himself.
From Big Cats to Crime Dogs. Personally, I think Fred McGriff is one of the more underrated players of his generation. A 5x all-star with 493 HR and nearly 2500 hits. He was a staple of the Atlanta Braves teams that dominated the 90s. No 80s collection is complete without his 1986 Donruss RC, which can be tough to find centered in high grade.
Sweet cards. But make that two possible from packs... Don't forget the Leaf version, eh?
-Nathanael
Yah, dat dare was an overlook by me, eh? Excellent catch!
There was no bigger RC in the back half of the 80s than the 1986 Donruss Jose Canseco. While the Griffey UD rookie is the more iconic, that card didn’t really take off until 1990. I remember the 86D Canseco jumping from $15 to $125 nearly overnight as Jose demolished the baseball and base paths during the 1988 season. A beastly, bulging man in a blue leisure suit (yes, Christmas Vacation is my favorite holiday movie)…Jose was a menacing opponent to any pitcher. A 6x all-star, the original 40/40 man, over 450 HR and a dating stint with Madonna made Jose a seeming lock for the HOF. Unfortunately, the confirmation of his steroid use changed his role in the game forever as he shed first light on the rampant use of PEDs in the 80s/90s. Personally, I am thankful Canseco was candid about the sport and for that he clearly belongs in my 80s collection HOF.
The other half of the “Bash Brothers“ is up next. Mark McGwire unleashed home runs at a rate faster than any other player in MLB history at only 10.6 At Bats per HR. He started this pace as a rookie in 1987, smashing 49 home runs and setting the then record for a rookie season. If you have not yet watched ESPN 30-for-30 Long Gone Summer, you need to see this documentary. The home run race of 1998 was widely regarded as bringing baseball back from the near death of the 1994-1995 strike. With McGwire and Sosa chasing headlines on ESPN every night, fans started to regain their love for one of the worlds greatest sports! Too many collectors get hung up on the PED focus and forget the massive role that Mark McGwire played in the history of baseball. He is an icon of the 80s and his 1985 Topps OLY RC is a top 5 card from the era. I never tire of looking at this card and thinking back to desperately wanting it as a kid.
Absolutely no reason to put Ortiz in the Hall when McGwire is outside. Very similar, but McGwire was better in (almost) every way.
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4th year anniversary coming up.
One of the coolest threads available to the hobby.
Your dedication has been exemplary
Wow…I’m flattered you remembered the anniversary of this thread. I appreciate it! Yes, tomorrow will mark 4 years of this amazing quest to build perfect sets from my childhood collecting days. Funny to see how the hobby has evolved over this timespan from a massive influx of new collectors, to the rapid rise of prices across unopened and iconic singles, to the limiting of grading services and massive increase in fees. I wouldn’t change this experience for anything as it has been a continual trip down memory lane for me. Ok, I might change grading fees back down to the $8/card bulk sub level, but nothing other than that 🙂
Next up for the 1985 rookies that made my all-time 80’s list is Orel Hershiser. Talk about a dominate pitcher for this era. With over 200 wins, a Cy Young award and a World Series MVP on his resume, I am always perplexed at how Orel doesn’t capture more hobby love. His 59 consecutive scoreless innings is a record that still stands, and is a tribute to just how dominate he was during the late 80s.
His 1985 Fleer RC was the obvious choice for me. This card is deceptively hard to find centered in a PSA 9 or better condition. Orel is a must have for any Dodgers fan or 1980’s collector.
This thread is just great! I’ve noticed you focus on well centered 9’s, instead of 10’s…so you think that’s the best value? Personally I’ve shied from any 10 because on many I can find flaws that for me would bump them down to a 9…mainly centering. Anyway, thanks again for this thread!
Thanks for the kind words! Yes, I think dead centered PSA 9 are a much better value when buying already graded versus the premium the market is currently placing on PSA 10. Similar to you, I can almost always find a centering or print imperfection on many PSA 10 cards I see for sale. I have actually had good luck in the past cracking a group of dead centered PSA 9 and then resubbing them. At least a handful seem to come back as dimes the second time around. That’s why I focus on strongly centered 9s. You have to be patient and picky, but a really strong 9 is often as strong eye appeal as a 10.
The last of my 1985 selections is none other than “Eric the Red.” If injuries didn’t take a toll during his career, we might be talking about another 500 HR and 500 SB player from the 80s. A perennial 30/30 threat, Davis ran like a gazelle while still having massive pop from his thin and lanky frame. A 3x gold glove winner, Davis was at the top of most want lists from 1986-1990.
Similar to Hershiser, Eric’s 1985 Fleer can be tricky to find dead centered in PSA 9 or better.
On the four year anniversary of this thread, seems only fitting to rip a box of one of my favorite sets throughout the day. Here goes a box of 1987 Fleer…
I've posted this link before in other threads whenever the topic of the speed and power combination of Eric Davis comes up. Those of you that's read it already, my apologies. For those of you not quite familiar with just how amazing Davis was before injury problems took hold, prepare to be amazed...
https://www.mlb.com/news/eric-davis-put-up-video-game-stats-for-reds-c279109048
Always a fun rip. Lots of stars and rookies that miss the PSA 10 mark, but look cool in their ever growing piles…
Pulled these two iconic RCs, but neither is worthy of GEM…
There were only three candidates for PSA 10 in this box, but some rock solid star power among them…
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LOVE the Puckett!
Transitioning to the rookie card class of 1984, brings us to Joe Carter. His career defining moment came on the walk-off game winning HR in game 7 of the World Series. To say Carter was clutch on the big stage is an understatement. While likely not a HOF player, Carter strung together an outstanding career with nearly 400 HR and close to 1500 RBI. He also won 2x World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays after playing for the hapless 1980’s Cleveland Indians for the first part of his career.
There is something about the mystic 1984 Donruss set and it’s perceived scarcity that make this card that much cooler. Add to it the first appearance of the “Rated Rookies” subset plus the tough centering challenges and you have the elements of an iconic 80’s RC.
A well centered 84D Carter is a thing of beauty. Thanks for showing!
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
As the 1985 MVP, a 9x gold glove winner and perennial all-star, Don Mattingly was the gold standard for baseball players in the 80s. Playing for the Yankees didn’t hurt either. He was the hobby’s biggest name among active players and was on the cover of nearly every baseball card magazine. If you were busting packs in the 80s, you were simply hoping Mattingly was in there.
His 1984 Donruss RC was the hottest in the hobby for the majority of the decade. It is easily one of the top five most iconic baseball cards of the 80s, right there with the 80T Henderson, 82TT Ripken, 86D Canseco and 89UD Griffey. I rarely, if ever, saw one for sale as a kid. This card was mythic. Finding a dead centered PSA 9 or higher draws an equal challenge now as an adult.
Love it Chris!
The 86D canseco was mythical. I acquired one at $9 at a show in Edison, Nj.
86D packs were only at shows and $10 per
Never saw someone open one much less opened one myself. So when I rolled back into collecting in 2011, the 86D packs were top of mind.
Thanks to the unopened guys here who inspired me to aspire to an unopened collection.
I’m thrilled to have my modest 86D collection. As a kid in 87/88, this would have been insane!
That 86D collection is a thing of beauty, John! I love the counter display case. I think display cases are very underrated and show the era beautifully…takes me back to the local general store days as a kid!