Topps #200 Don Mattingly
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40
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Don Mattingly’s career was almost a tale of two decades.
With six straight All-Star appearances and one MVP during the 1980s, Mattingly seemed to be on a clear path towards the Hall of Fame.
However, injuries would catch up to him, and even though he still had a top-notch glove on defense and could still hit for average, his power wasn’t nearly what it used to be.
The impressive home run and RBI tallies would fade, causing Mattingly to be overlooked for any All-Star selections in the 1990s.
Similar to Bo Jackson, even though Mattingly’s career declined at the height of his prime, he was one of the hottest names in the hobby of that era, and collectors still love his cards today.
Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 9 Mint Value: $350,000
Dimensions: 2-3/8″ x 2-7/8″
Its nearly impossible to describe the importance of Jackie Robinson to baseball and American history after breaking baseballs color barrier in 1947.
So its no wonder that his 1948 Leaf rookie card is such and important piece of the hobby.
In addition to the Satchel Paige and Stan Musial rookie cards, Robinsons rookie is key to the set.
But its also one of the issues more difficult cards since it typically suffers from poor print quality and coloration.
Whether you can find one in high grade or not, though, its a superb card for any collector to own.
This is the key Jackie Robinson baseball card you should add to your collection.
Topps Eric Davis Rc #627
Eric Davis was the choice of many collectors hoarding cards in the age of the era of stash-and-sell. He stole 80 bases in 1986, and followed that up the next season with 50 steals. Of those 130 steals, he was caught just 17 times. From 1986-90, Davis averaged 30 home runs and 90 RBI, and finished with a .900-plus OPS in three of those seasons.
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Best 80s And 90s Baseball Cards Reviews
Choosing the appropriate 80s and 90s baseball cards can be tough. However, if you consider these factors, your job will be easier.
- Product Quality: A product that you won’t have to buy again or that will last you a long time is an important consideration, especially when it comes to the 80s and 90s baseball cards. Nobody would want a low-quality or easily worn-out object. They are even willing to spend a somewhat greater price for a good product.
- Ease of Use- A vital trait of any replace_keyword] is its ease of use, so most item did well in this metric. How easily can you use your product?
- Ergonomics Ergonomics was a much simpler metric for these products. We split it into three aspects: comfort, aesthetics, and profile design. Most of our listed products are decently comfortable, and we think it is one of the group’s sleeker and more stylish designs.
- Comfort Comfort is the other primary factor we took into consideration when evaluating 80s and 90s baseball cards. After all, the more comfortable a 80s and 90s baseball cards is, the less likely you will dislike it. We pay attention to softness, shape, and size.
- Value is always important, but the range for 80s and 90s baseball cards is relatively narrow. We feel that the #1 model offers a great value for most people and that the #2 is great for advanced users.
#1 Best Overall 80s and 90s baseball cards:
After considering the above, we nominated this model as our Top Pick.
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Plows Candy E300 Ty Cobb
Estimated PSA 8 NM-MT Value: $125,000
Dimensions: 3″ x 4″
One of the rarest pre-WWI candy issues ever distributed is the 1912 Plows Boy Candy set that included 69 different baseball players.
Only 7 of the Ty Cobb cards have ever been submitted to PSA for grading which speaks to the rarity of them.
As with most early candy or tobacco issues, this card with the image of the Georgia Peach ready to swing is the most valuable and sought after in the set.
When these cards come up for auction, really take note.
Many baseball historians still consider Cobb the greatest all-around player that ever graced a baseball diamond.
The card is a true giant in the hobby.
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N172 Old Judge Cap Anson
Many believe the 1887 N172 Old Judge set to be the most important 19th Century set in existence.
Several player variations exist, some with as many as 12, so the series boasts well over 3,000 different cards in total.
The legendary Cap Anson appears on two different cards with the uniform version being the rarer of the two.
Its so rare that only a handful exist and not many collectors have even seen one in person.
Topps #407 Eddie Mathews Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 9 Mint Value: $175,000
Dimensions: 2-5/8″ x 3-3/4″
No matter where Eddie Mathews appeared in the 1952 Topps set, his only recognized rookie card would be worth a lot.
But, the fact that his is the last card in the iconic 407 card set gives it an extra bump due to the inherent difficulty in collecting the card.
A high number card, Mathews rookie is extra tough to collect since it was positioned at the bottom corner of print sheets and usually is found off-center as a result.
Mathews had a prolific career as a feared power hitter and spent many years alongside Hank Aaron to form one of the greatest home run hitting duos the game has ever seen.
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Fleer Update Dwight Gooden Rookie Card
While most collectors didnt even know who Clemens was when he made his cardboard debut via the 1984 Fleer Update set, we could hardly stand the wait for Dwight Goodens first cards that fall.
After all, Dr. K had blazed through his rookie season with the New York Mets to the tune of 17-9, 2.60 ERA, 276 strikeouts en route to the NL ROY award.
Gooden was even better the next season in going 24-4, 1.53 to win the NL Cy Young award.
In between, his Traded/Update cards and 1985 base cards were just about the hottest in the hobby.
And, while Gooden fell off the table in a much different way than Clemens did, its hard to shake the memories of how spectacular Dwight was early in his career.
Hence, this all-time great card comes in at $60 and $175 .
Donruss Barry Bonds Error
There is nothing quite like an error card. This 1987 card proudly displayed the name of the Home Run King Barry Bonds but it pictured his teammate Johnny Ray, aged 30. There arent many of these cards in existence and the last 10 grade sold at auction for well over $3,000. Card #162 was a photo of Ray and so it seems the quality control people at Donruss werent able to catch it in time. Because only a few of these cards actually went out, you may not have it on the mantle, but it is a historic card nevertheless.
Bonds is the current leader in MLB Home Runs with 762 home runs. He also owns the single-season home run record with 73. He won seven MVP awards, went to 14 All-Star games, eight Gold Glove Awards and 12 Silver Sluggers. Johnny Ray, not so much.
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Topps #336 Ken Griffey Jr
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $400
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I remember searching for this card left and right.
And I don’t think I ever pulled one from a pack.
Griffey was one of the most popular players of the era and his cards were always in high demand.
The “Topps All-Star Rookie” trophy symbol made this one stand out a bit more from other cards in this set, too.
Somewhat surprisingly, Griffey Jr.’s card is actually worth more than the Frank Thomas rookie .
Are Other 1980s Baseball Cards Worth Money
While weve listed the MOST valuable cards of the 80s here, there a some we havent included that are worth quite a bit of money. HOWEVER, youll need to keep in mind that cards from the Junk Wax Era dont hold as much value as those from earlier and later periods of the hobby. As always, condition plays a big role so if you have a good conditioned rookie card of one of the elite players of this era you still stand to make a few bucks if youre looking to sell.
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T206 White Border Eddie Plank
- Price: $850,000 .
- Dimensions: 1-7/16 x 2-5/8.
T206 White Border Eddie Plank
In the T206 deck, the Eddie Plank card is the next face that receives attention. It is also the only one of the most dominant pitchers to enter the Hall of Fame.
Legend says that this cards rarity stems from poor quality prints that led to mass destruction. You can easily spot this by its centered quality.
Topps #537 Pete Rose Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 9 Mint Value: $47,500
Dimensions: 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″
The 1963 Topps Pete Rose rookie card shows the all-time hit king along with Pedro Gonzalez, Ken McMullen, and Al Weis as one of 1963s most promising youngsters.
In poor condition, this card would fetch hundreds of dollars but if youre lucky enough to land a copy in PSA 10 Gem Mint condition then youre talking big-time money.
Theres only one single PSA 10 copy currently in circulation, however, which makes it extremely difficult to find even if you have that kind of money to spend.
That PSA 10 copy sold for $717,000 in 2016.
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Topps #274 Dale Murphy
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $50
Dale Murphy enjoyed a bit of a breakout year in 1980 as he hit 33 home runs, scored 98 runs, had 89 RBI and made his first of seven career All-Star teams.
Later, his stretch from 1982 to 1987 was one of the most dominant in Major League Baseball as he was twice voted MVP, made six-straight All-Star teams while winning five Gold Gloves and four Silver Sluggers.
At that point, Murphy looked like he was on a surefire trajectory to Cooperstown.
However, his production was never quite the same from 1988 until he finished his career with the Colorado Rockies in 1993.
Murphy was often heralded as a five-tool superstar, but unfortunately, many felt his dominant play didn’t last long enough to give him the type of resume worthy of Hall of Fame recognition.
While eligible for induction, Murphy peaked at 23% of the vote in 2000, falling well short of the 75% needed for entry.
Despite missing the call to the Hall, Murphy was a hero to many kids who collected during his brilliant run in the 1980s, and today those kids are adult collectors with money to spare, keeping his cards in decent demand.
Most Valuable Baseball Cards Of The 1980s
The world has changed remarkably since the 1980s. It was the decade that saw the easing of Cold War tensions and the fall of the Berlin Wall giving people hope of a more liberal future.
In a similar way, the world of Major League Baseball has gone through some whirlwind changes since then.
Back in the 80s, the league was open and titles were anyones for the taking, and no team really dominated the sport as a major dynasty.
There were some notable sides that did stand out, however. The New York Mets team of 1986 and the 1988-89 Oakland As were arguably the strongest sides of the decade.
On the world stage, the Cuban team emerged as a real force in international baseball with the country producing some of the decades finest players such as Omar Linares and Orestes Kindelan.
As in most eras, baseball in the 80s was not without its share of controversy.
The 1985 drug trials shone a light on players who were using illegal substances and struggling with addiction. The end of the decade also saw Pete Rose banned indefinitely from baseball for allegations of match-fixing, an accusation he continued to deny for years to come.
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So Which Baseball Cards From The 80s Should You Choose
Dont be intimidated by the plethora of similar products for sale. If you are aware of a specific guide to purchase, you wont be able make an expensive error. The following guide will provide all of the crucial aspects that you must consider in our buying guides, to ensure that youre able to take a decision on the right Baseball Cards From The 80S quickly.
That being said Dont purchase something in a rush. Be sure to study the details in this article, and also going through a number review. It will definitely help you select the right product that will meet your needs. Enjoy shopping!
Topps Mark Mcgwire Rc Oly #401
The USA Baseball subset in 1985 Topps introduced the program to the masses, and brought this slugging first basemans first licensed trading card to the forefront of the collectibles industry. Everybody wanted one. And everybody paid good money for it two years later when McGwire was slugging his way to 49 home runs as a rookie.
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Goudey #37 Lou Gehrig
Estimated PSA 9 Mint Value: $130,000
Dimensions: 2-3/8″ x 2-7/8″
Gehrig again appeared on two different cards, #37 and #61, in the 1934 Goudey set.
While both are classics, there is no doubt that #37 is the more popular and difficult of the two.
On it, Gehrig is shown with a huge bright smile atop a yellow background giving the card tremendous eye appeal.
Although kind of normal for Gehrig, his offensive production was extraordinary in 1934.
After hitting .363 with 49 home runs and 166 RBI he would go on to win the Triple Crown.
Remarkably, he still only finished fifth in the MVP race!
Goudey #92 Lou Gehrig
Estimated PSA 9 Mint Value: $175,000
Dimensions: 2-3/8″ x 2-7/8″
This card should look very familiar.
Identical in imagery to the 1933 Goudey #160 Lou Gehrig that you saw earlier on this list, this card does usually present whiter borders and lighter blue backgrounds than its #92 counterpart.
Gehrig was one of a long line of Yankee legends and no doubt put up some of the greatest hitting statistics of them all.
His record for most games played in a season stood for decades until 1995 when Cal Ripken, Jr. played in his 2,131st straight game.
A truly great baseball card of the legendary icon.
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Topps #94 Ernie Banks Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 9 Mint Value: $75,000
Dimensions: 2-5/8″ x 3-3/4″
This is Banks only recognized rookie card in the hobby and along with the Hank Aaron and Al Kaline rookies, a key to the 1954 Topps set.
The cards design is beautiful and easily distinguished from others of the 1950s.
Two great images of Banks are show atop a white border than can be notorious for showing print defects.
Centering is also a tough issue for this card.
Topps #270 Mike Schmidt
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $55
While George Brett lit up the AL in 1980, Mike Schmidt was doing the same in the NL and would take home his first of three career MVP Awards for his efforts.
In the process, Schmidt led the league and set career highs in home runs , RBI and total bases .
And he didn’t lose any steam in the postseason, either, as he would end up leading the Phillies to the World Series title while batting .381, belting two home runs, driving in seven RBI, and scoring six runs.
His career was far from over at that point, but Schmidt’s play showed the baseball world that they were already witnessing the greatest third baseman of all-time in the making.
Over eighteen seasons in MLB, all with the Philadelphia Phillies, Schmidt won three MVPs, made twelve All-Star teams, won six Silver Sluggers, snagged ten Gold Gloves, and led the league in home runs eight times.
His combination of speed and power was simply some of the greatest the game has ever seen.
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Upper Deck Gary Sheffield #13 Cor Rc
Those ripping packs of 1989 Upper Deck looking for Ken Griffey Jr. cards did find this RC of a Brewers shortstop who, at the time, was most known for being Dwight Goodens nephew and for his gold front teeth. But 509 home runs and a National League batting title later, Sheffield stood on his own name. There is an error version with the SS in the upper-right corner upside down. But just stick with this corrected version.
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Goudey #181 Babe Ruth
Estimated PSA 9 Mint Value: $300,000
Dimensions: 2-3/8″ x 2-7/8″
The Green Ruth is the last of the four Babe Ruth cards to appear in the 1933 Goudey set.
The card features a great image of the Sultan of Swat seated in pinstripes looking over his right shoulder atop a green background.
While not as pricey as the Yellow or Red Ruths of the same set, its still a very expensive card and a key member of the Ruth quartet.
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The 2009 Bowman Chrome Mike Trout #bdpp89
The Most Valuable Baseball Card of the 2000s
- Outstanding feature: It illustrates Mike Trouts rookie days Bowman Chrome Superfractors
- Certificates/grades: PSA 8 BGS
In the 2009 MLB draft, the Los Angeles Angels recruited Mike Trout out of high school as the 25th pick. Trout proved he merited his call to the major league by advancing to an All-Star and Silver Slugger, ending second in the AL MVP race, and winning the AL Rookie of the Year in his 2012 official rookie season. He has been the face of baseball for the last decade.
Topps issued the Bowman Chrome Mike Trout Superfractors Rookie card in 2009. It was the most valuable card in the hobby when it was autographed and sold for $3.84 million by Goldin Auctions in August 2020. As of 2021, it ranks as the fifth most valuable baseball card and the most prized of the 2000s.