If you grew up in the eighties, you remember the smell. That stiff, pink slab of bubblegum dust clinging to the back of a piece of cardboard. It was everywhere. For most of us, the 1987 Topps Darryl Strawberry wasn't just a baseball card; it was a physical manifestation of hope. Strawberry was the Straw that stirred the drink in Queens, a lean, 6-foot-6 power hitter with a swing that looked like it was designed by an architect.
The card itself is iconic. You know the one. It’s got that classic wood-grain border that Topps used to celebrate their 35th anniversary. It looks like a cheap picture frame from your grandma’s hallway, but in 1987, it was the height of hobby fashion. Everyone wanted Darryl. Everyone thought they’d be retiring on his rookie cards, but this 1987 Topps issue—his fifth-year card—actually carries a weight that the 1983 Topps rookie sometimes misses. It captures Strawberry at his absolute apex.
The Wood-Grain Curse and the Condition Rarity
Collecting 1987 Topps is a nightmare. Honestly. Those wood-grain borders are unforgiving. If you so much as breathe on a corner, the brown ink chips away to reveal the white cardstock underneath. This is why a 1987 Topps Darryl Strawberry in a PSA 10 slab is actually a tough find, despite Topps printing approximately six trillion of them.
The centering is usually garbage. You’ll find copies where the "Mets" logo is practically falling off the side of the card. Because of the sheer volume of "Junk Wax" produced between 1987 and 1994, most people think these cards are worthless. They aren't. While a raw copy might cost you fifty cents at a garage sale, a gem-mint graded version still commands respect because surviving the "wood-grain chip" era is a feat of strength.
What Darryl Represented in '87
1987 was a monster year for Strawberry. He hit .284 with 39 home runs and 36 stolen bases. He was the first member of the 30/30 club in Mets history. When you look at his 1987 Topps Darryl Strawberry card, you’re looking at a guy who was arguably the most talented player in the National League.
The Mets were coming off that legendary 1986 World Series win. The city belonged to them. Darryl was the face of that swagger. He had that high leg kick and that whip-like swing that sent balls into the Shea Stadium parking lot. Collectors weren't just buying cardboard; they were buying a piece of a dynasty that felt like it would last forever. Of course, we know now that it didn't. The off-field struggles, the injuries, and the eventual move to the Dodgers—it all adds a layer of melancholy to this specific card.
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The Tiffany Factor: Where the Real Money Hides
If you really want to get into the weeds, we have to talk about Topps Tiffany. Back in '87, Topps produced limited-edition "Tiffany" sets. They looked identical to the base cards but were printed on white cardstock with a high-gloss finish. The 1987 Topps Darryl Strawberry Tiffany version is the "holy grail" for Straw collectors.
Topps only produced about 30,000 of these sets. Compared to the millions of base cards, that’s a drop in the bucket. You can tell the difference by looking at the back. The base card has that dull, gray/brown back. The Tiffany is bright and white. If you find one of those in a shoe box, you’ve actually found something significant.
Misconceptions About the 1987 Topps Darryl Strawberry
People often confuse "old" with "valuable." Just because a card is nearly 40 years old doesn't mean it’s a gold mine. The 1987 Topps set was the beginning of the end for scarcity. Topps, Fleer, and Donruss were all overprinting like crazy.
Another mistake? Thinking the "All-Star" gloss or the "Record Breaker" subsets are more valuable. Usually, the base card (card #100 in the set) is the one people want. It’s the definitive image of Strawberry from that era.
Why the Market is Rebounding
Surprisingly, the Junk Wax era is having a moment. It’s nostalgia, plain and simple. The kids who couldn't afford a whole box of 1987 Topps in the eighties now have adult salaries. They want the cards they used to stare at in the window of the local pharmacy.
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Professional grading has changed the game. A 1987 Topps Darryl Strawberry that would have been worth pennies ten years ago is now being scrutinized under microscopes. Collectors are chasing the "Pop 1" or low population counts of high-grade cards. It’s a pursuit of perfection in an era of mass-produced imperfection.
How to Value Your Strawberry Card
If you’ve got a stack of these in your closet, here’s the reality check.
- Check the corners. Are they sharp enough to cut paper? If not, it's a "binder card"—worth maybe a dollar.
- Look at the edges. Is the brown "wood" ink solid all the way around?
- Flip it over. Is the centering equal on both sides?
If it’s perfect, it might be worth the $20-$30 grading fee to send it to PSA or SGC. If it returns a 10, you're looking at a card that can sell for over $100 depending on the day. If it’s a 9, you’re basically breaking even. Anything lower is just for your own personal enjoyment.
Beyond the Cardboard: The Legacy
Darryl Strawberry remains one of the most polarizing figures in baseball history. He was a superstar who never quite reached the "Inner Circle" Hall of Fame status many predicted, but his peak was higher than almost anyone's. The 1987 Topps Darryl Strawberry is the snapshot of that peak.
It reminds us of a time when the Mets were kings, when cards came with sticks of gum that could break your teeth, and when every pack felt like it held a fortune. It’s a beautiful, flawed piece of history from a beautiful, flawed player.
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Actionable Next Steps for Collectors
Stop buying "unsearched" lots on eBay. Most of those have been picked through by pros with magnifying glasses. Instead, look for complete 1987 Topps factory sets that are still sealed. These have a higher chance of containing a well-centered Strawberry because they haven't been bounced around in wax packs for decades.
If you are buying a graded version, pay attention to the "reverse" of the card. Many 1987 Topps cards have "wax stains" on the back from the packaging. PSA is brutal on wax stains. A card can look like a 10 on the front and get a 5 because of a faint smudge on the back. Always ask for high-res scans of both sides before pulling the trigger on a high-end purchase.
Finally, keep an eye on the "Glossy Send-Ins." Topps had a program where you could mail in points for a 60-card glossy set. The Strawberry from that set is rarer than the base but often overlooked by casual fans. It’s a great "sleeper" pick for a long-term collection.
Check your local card shows. You can often find 1987 Topps stars in "dollar bins." Digging through those is the only way to find a diamond in the rough without paying the "nostalgia tax" of online marketplaces. Use a jeweler’s loupe to check those wood edges before you buy. If you find a clean one, grab it. Even if it never makes you rich, it’s one of the coolest looking cards ever made.