The Most Valuable 1987 Fleer Baseball Cards: PSA 10 Prices and the Significance of Each Player

The 1987 Fleer baseball card set remains a standout from the late 1980s, offering a strong mix of legendary veterans and exciting rookies who went on to shape MLB history. From rookie cards of future Hall of Famers to established icons still dominating the game, this release captures a pivotal moment in the sport’s evolution. It was an era defined by big personalities, explosive offensive talent, and pitching legends who seemed larger than life. Here’s a closer look at the most valuable cards from the set, ranked by their estimated PSA 10 value.

1. Barry Bonds (Rookie) #604

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $250–$400
PSA 10 Population: 1,292
Significance: Barry Bonds is one of the most accomplished and polarizing figures in baseball history. Over his 22-year career, he amassed 762 home runs and seven MVP awards—both records in MLB history. Bonds was a 14-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner, combining elite power and speed in a way few have ever matched. His 2001 season, featuring 73 home runs, remains one of the most jaw-dropping single-season performances of all time.

2. Bo Jackson (Rookie) #369

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $200–$300
PSA 10 Population: 674
Significance: Bo Jackson was a once-in-a-generation athlete, excelling in both Major League Baseball and the NFL. Known for his incredible strength, speed, and highlight-reel moments, he was a 1989 MLB All-Star and the game’s MVP. Though his baseball career was cut short by an injury, Bo’s impact as a cultural icon endures, making his rookie cards some of the most sought after of the era.

3. Nolan Ryan #67

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $200–$250
PSA 10 Population: 123
Significance: Nolan Ryan’s name is synonymous with pitching dominance. Over 27 MLB seasons, he racked up a record 5,714 strikeouts and seven no-hitters—both marks that may never be broken. Known for his blazing fastball, Ryan was an eight-time All-Star and a workhorse who threw over 300 strikeouts in a season six times. Even in his 40s, he remained one of the most feared pitchers in baseball.

4. Bobby Bonilla (Rookie) #605

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $150–$200
PSA 10 Population: 29
Significance: Bobby Bonilla was a six-time All-Star and key member of the Pittsburgh Pirates teams in the late ’80s and early ’90s. A switch-hitter with a powerful bat, Bonilla was a three time Silver Slugger Award winner and 1997 World Series winner. Off the field, his legacy includes the famous “Bobby Bonilla Day,” when the New York Mets still pay him over $1 million annually as part of a deferred contract agreement.

5. Barry Larkin (Rookie) #204

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $100–$200
PSA 10 Population: 452
Significance: Barry Larkin spent his entire 19-year career with the Cincinnati Reds, earning 12 All-Star selections, three Gold Gloves, and the 1995 National League MVP award. A superb defensive shortstop and consistent hitter, Larkin was a leader both on and off the field. He helped guide the Reds to a World Series title in 1990 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

6. Don Mattingly #104

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $100–$150
PSA 10 Population: 104
Significance: Don Mattingly, affectionately known as “Donnie Baseball,” was one of the most consistent and respected hitters of the 1980s. A six-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove winner, and 1985 AL MVP, Mattingly was the face of the New York Yankees for over a decade. Though injuries shortened his prime years, his swing and leadership left an enduring mark on the franchise.

7. Will Clark (Rookie) #269

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $100–$125
PSA 10 Population: 245
Significance: Will “The Thrill” Clark was a six-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger. Clark had a knack for delivering in big moments, including a legendary performance in the 1989 NLCS. His fiery competitiveness and consistent production made him a fan favorite in San Francisco and beyond.

8. Jose Canseco #389

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $70–$90
PSA 10 Population: 54
Significance: Jose Canseco was one of baseball’s most powerful sluggers in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He won the 1986 AL Rookie of the Year, became the first player in history to join the 40-40 club in 1988, and earned AL MVP honors that same season. As part of the Oakland A’s “Bash Brothers” duo with Mark McGwire, he helped lead the team to a World Series title in 1989.

9. Rickey Henderson #101

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $50–$65
PSA 10 Population: 114
Significance: Widely regarded as the greatest leadoff hitter and base stealer in baseball history, Rickey Henderson’s career spanned 25 seasons. He set all-time records for stolen bases (1,406) and runs scored (2,295) while also hitting 297 home runs. A 10-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, Henderson’s unique combination of speed, power, and on-base skills made him one of the most dynamic players to ever take the field.

10. Pete Rose #213

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35–$60
PSA 10 Population: 144
Significance: Pete Rose, known as “Charlie Hustle,” is MLB’s all-time hits leader with 4,256 career hits. A 17-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion, Rose was renowned for his relentless work ethic and competitive fire. While his playing achievements are unquestionable, his lifetime ban from baseball for betting on games remains one of the most debated topics in sports history.

11. Darryl Strawberry #23

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35–$60
PSA 10 Population: 46

12. Kirby Puckett #549

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40–$50
PSA 10 Population: 83

13. Tony Gwynn #416

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40–$50
PSA 10 Population: 61

14. Ryne Sandberg #572

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40–$50
PSA 10 Population: 58

15. Ruben Sierra (Rookie) #138

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40–$50
PSA 10 Population: 80

16. A. L. Pitcher's Nightmare (Canseco, Rice, Puckett) #633

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $45
PSA 10 Population: 42

17. Mike Schmidt #187

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35–$45
PSA 10 Population: 129

18. Eddie Murray #476

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35–$40
PSA 10 Population: 28

19. Cal Ripken Jr. #478

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$40
PSA 10 Population: 157

20. Dale Murphy #522

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$40
PSA 10 Population: 56

21. Eric Davis #198

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$35
PSA 10 Population: 30

22. Robin Yount #361

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$35
PSA 10 Population: 47

23. Roger Clemens #32

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$35
PSA 10 Population: 131

24. Reggie Jackson #84

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30
PSA 10 Population: 65

25. Wade Boggs #29

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25
PSA 10 Population: 64

Final Thoughts

The 1987 Fleer baseball card set captures a special mix of Hall of Fame legends, electrifying rookies, and players who became unforgettable parts of the game’s history. Whether you’re chasing the rookie cards of Barry Bonds, Bo Jackson, and Will Clark, or honoring the careers of Nolan Ryan, Rickey Henderson, and Pete Rose, this set offers a satisfying blend of nostalgia and investment potential.