The 1988 Topps baseball cards set might not command the respect of earlier decades. However, this release contains fascinating gems that deserve a little extra recognition beyond the “dollar bin” reputation that so many cards during the Junk Wax era are subjected to.
Sports Illustrated’s Jason Schwartz recently did that by identifying five “essential” cards from the set. Let’s see what he put a spotlight on from this massive 792-card release.
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5 Must-Have 1988 Topps Baseball Cards
According to Schwartz, these cards are the cream of the Topps crop from the 1988 set:
Tom Glavine Rookie Card: This is an affordable entry point into the hobby for the Hall of Fame southpaw, representing one of the era’s most undervalued rookie investments.
Oakland Athletics Team Leaders (Bash Brothers): Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco are captured at the peak of their cultural dominance, and before controversies began changing how they’re viewed within the lens of baseball history.
Eric Davis Box Bottom: This is a short-printed gem celebrating Davis’ historic 30-30 season. The production numbers were much lower than standard base cards.
Andre Dawson All-Star: The Hawk’s MVP celebration includes this gorgeous color coordination. There’s no way anyone can miss this bad boy!
Jay Baller: An off-the-beaten-path choice, especially when considering the other players included in the set. But it perfectly embodies the quirky personality of cards that can make collecting memorable. I mean, come on — that hair (on his head and chest), the mustache, and the chains just make this a terrific card.
Why the Eric Davis Box Bottom Deserves Your Attention
The Eric Davis box bottom card is possibly the most historically significant pick from Schwartz in this exercise. While his 30-30 achievement is the headliner, the deeper story reveals something even more eye-popping. Davis didn’t just join the 30-30 club in 1987 – he became baseball’s first 30-50 player.
This card became available when Davis was at the top of his game. Between June 1986 and July 1987, spanning exactly 162 games, Davis slugged 49 homers with 93 steals. Those aren’t just impressive numbers, folks. That’s a power-speed combo that feels almost mythical.
The box bottom format itself adds another layer for collectors. These cards were literally cut from cereal-style boxes, so survival rates were obviously lower than standard base cards. Finding one in decent condition requires patience and (usually) a premium price.
Andre Dawson’s MVP Moment Frozen in Time
Schwartz identified this card as a “sweet color coordination,” but it represents something deeper about Topps’ design philosophy in 1988. The bright yellow All-Star designation just works perfectly with the Cubs’ royal blue and red scheme. This makes what could have been a throwaway subset card into a legitimate centerpiece worthy of any Dawson collection.
Beyond its looks, this card commemorates one of baseball’s most remarkable individual seasons of the 1980s. Dawson’s 49 homers and 137 RBI for a last-place Cubs team showed us that individual excellence could rise above subpar team performance.
The Lasting Legacy of 1988 Topps Baseball Cards
Despite its junk wax reputation, the 1988 Topps set is an unintentional time capsule of baseball’s most transformative era. The above cards caught players at pivotal moments: Glavine beginning his Hall of Fame journey, the Bash Brothers at their peak, Davis redefining athletic versatility, The Hawk on the heels of his MVP performance, and Baller as an absolute G.
Although the set’s massive print run was once considered a weakness, it can now be viewed as the opposite. Unlike earlier decades, where condition and scarcity drive value, the 1988 Topps set lets collectors focus more on historical significance and personal connection. You can build a meaningful collection without breaking the bank, and that’s a beautiful thing.
For serious collectors, 1988 Topps represents accessibility without sacrificing historical importance. While vintage collectors chase expensive cardboard, smart money recognizes that some of baseball’s most compelling stories live within these “worthless” packs.
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