30 Most Valuable 1988 Score Baseball Cards
Many are quick to dismiss 1988 Score baseball cards as just another mass-produced set from the junk era.
But, this set packs a ton of nostalgic value…
First, I’ve always loved the design and thought Score’s idea of including six different border color options was quite creative.
Second, the action shots are fantastic and perfectly capture some of the great stars and Hall of Famers of the era.
Third, there are even a few Hall of Fame rookie cards, which is always a bonus.
But, while the nostalgic value is high, the monetary value is pretty low.
However, you might be surprised that some can still be worth a respectable amount.
And in this guide, I’ll run through the 30 most valuable.
Let’s jump right in!
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Ross Uitts – Owner
- #1
1988 Score #575 Nolan Ryan
PSA 10 Value $70Total PSA Population 952PSA 10 Population 523PSA 10 Grade Rate 54.9% (Set Avg: 47.6%)The Ryan Express would spend one final season in Houston in 1988 before signing with the Texas Rangers the following year.
The legendary fireballer still had enough left at 41 years old to lead the National League in strikeouts with 228.
Collectors get a glimpse of what opposing hitters saw a lot of that year as Ryan deals some blazing heat in this fantastic image.
His vintage cards are where the serious money is when it comes to Nolan Ryan cards but even his later cards, like this one, can be worth something in top condition.
- #2
1988 Score #1 Don Mattingly
PSA 10 Value $55Total PSA Population 152PSA 10 Population 61PSA 10 Grade Rate 40.1% (Set Avg: 47.6%)Heading into the 1988 season, Donnie Baseball was looking unstoppable as he already had a batting title, MVP, three Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers to his name.
He was one of the biggest stars in the game and looked like a lock to be the next great Yankee on his way to Cooperstown.
However, injuries caught up to him and unfortunately diminished much of his power and derailed his path to superstardom.
Mattingly was always one of the names collectors wanted to see as they ripped open packs during the late 1980s and he still has a good following in the hobby today.
The nostalgia for Mattingly cards helps keep this one at around $70 in high grade.
- #3
1988 Score #26 Ryne Sandberg
PSA 10 Value $50Total PSA Population 94PSA 10 Population 44PSA 10 Grade Rate 46.8% (Set Avg: 47.6%) - #4
1988 Score #180 Bo Jackson
PSA 10 Value $50Total PSA Population 391PSA 10 Population 112PSA 10 Grade Rate 28.6% (Set Avg: 47.6%)Another big-name Jackson that can be worth around $50 in a PSA 10 holder is none other than the late-80s sports icon, Bo Jackson.
The sports world at that time sat in awe while Jackson starred in both baseball and football at the highest professional levels as he would become both an NFL Pro Bowler and MLB All-Star.
He was in Nike ad campaigns, reminding us that “Bo Knows” just about everything.
He was an unstoppable force in Tecmo Bowl on the original Nintendo.
Fans couldn’t get enough.
Today, those kids who grew up idolizing Bo Jackson still collect his sports cards in top grade as a nostalgic outlet.
Of all his cards, this one features one of the greatest images of Jackson of them all right as he’s driving through the ball.
- #5
1988 Score #265 Barry Bonds
PSA 10 Value $50Total PSA Population 378PSA 10 Population 114PSA 10 Grade Rate 30.2% (Set Avg: 47.6%)Speaking of driving the ball, we all know what Barry Bonds was able to do in that regard as he would eventually set the career home run record with 762.
However, we also know that both his legacy and that record hang under a cloud of controversy due to his connection to PEDs.
PEDs aside, Bonds was undeniably a unique talent who could do it all as he racked up twelve Silver Sluggers, eight Gold Gloves and seven MVPs over his 22-year career.
He was a five-tool star if there ever was one.
The red borders on this card and sharp image make for an overall great-looking card of the controversial slugger.
- #6
1988 Score #645 Gregg Jefferies Rookie Card
Rookie CardPSA 10 Value $50Total PSA Population 155PSA 10 Population 84PSA 10 Grade Rate 54.2% (Set Avg: 47.6%) - #7
1988 Score #5 Mark McGwire
PSA 10 Value $40Total PSA Population 213PSA 10 Population 64PSA 10 Grade Rate 30.0% (Set Avg: 47.6%) - #8
1988 Score #13 Rickey Henderson
PSA 10 Value $40Total PSA Population 150PSA 10 Population 69PSA 10 Grade Rate 46.0% (Set Avg: 47.6%) - #9
1988 Score #24 Kirby Puckett
PSA 10 Value $40Total PSA Population 125PSA 10 Population 50PSA 10 Grade Rate 40.0% (Set Avg: 47.6%) - #10
1988 Score #45 Jose Canseco
PSA 10 Value $40Total PSA Population 74PSA 10 Population 31PSA 10 Grade Rate 41.9% (Set Avg: 47.6%) - #
1988 Score #385 Tony Gwynn
ValueTotal PSA Population 144Population 73Grade Rate 50.7% (Set Avg: 48.0%) - #12
1988 Score #658 Don Mattingly Highlights
PSA 10 Value $40Total PSA Population 80PSA 10 Population 31PSA 10 Grade Rate 38.8% (Set Avg: 48.0%) - #13
1988 Score #2 Wade Boggs
PSA 10 Value $35Total PSA Population 50PSA 10 Population 22PSA 10 Grade Rate 44.0% (Set Avg: 48.0%) - #14
1988 Score #16 Mike Schmidt
PSA 10 Value $35Total PSA Population 123PSA 10 Population 65PSA 10 Grade Rate 52.8% (Set Avg: 48.0%)Widely considered to be the greatest third baseman who ever played, Mike Schmidt possessed both a superior glove and bat that earned him three MVPs and a no-brainer induction into the Hall of Fame.
Schmidt led the league in home runs an incredible eight times and racked up ten Gold Gloves in the process giving proof to his unique talents.
At 38 years old, time eventually caught up to Schmidt as an injured rotator cuff cut his 1988 season short and put an end to his streak of dominance.
His legacy is strong enough that some Schmidt collectors are willing to pay around $35 for this card in a PSA 10 holder.
- #15
1988 Score #78 Will Clark
PSA 10 Value $35Total PSA Population 80PSA 10 Population 39PSA 10 Grade Rate 48.8% (Set Avg: 48.0%) - #16
1988 Score #550 Cal Ripken Jr.
PSA 10 Value $35Total PSA Population 384PSA 10 Population 250PSA 10 Grade Rate 65.1% (Set Avg: 48.0%) - #17
1988 Score #638 Tom Glavine Rookie Card
Rookie CardPSA 10 Value $35Total PSA Population 2,906PSA 10 Population 1,156PSA 10 Grade Rate 39.8% (Set Avg: 48.0%)Though Tom Glavine didn’t possess overpowering stuff, he more than made up for it with his incredible control and pitching IQ.
A two-time Cy Young Award winner and ten-time All-Star, Glavine was an integral part of those dominant Atlanta Braves pitching staffs that ruled the 1990s.
His 1988 season was rocky, to say the least, as he finished with a 7-17 record and led the league in losses.
However, when all was said and done, Glavine would collect 305 wins, which were enough to place him fourth on the all-time wins list for left-handed pitchers.
Part of Score’s “Rookie Prospect” subset, a fantastic action shot of Glavine delivering a pitch surrounded by orange, yellow and red border coloring makes this an overall attractive rookie card.
The base version will fetch a respectable $35 or so in PSA 10 condition while the glossy version will cost much more in that grade.
- #18
1988 Score #10 Eric Davis
PSA 10 Value $30Total PSA Population 32PSA 10 Population 14PSA 10 Grade Rate 43.8% (Set Avg: 48.0%) - #19
1988 Score #11 George Brett
PSA 10 Value $30Total PSA Population 107PSA 10 Population 63PSA 10 Grade Rate 58.9% (Set Avg: 48.0%) - #20
1988 Score #12 Ozzie Smith
PSA 10 Value $30Total PSA Population 91PSA 10 Population 42PSA 10 Grade Rate 46.2% (Set Avg: 48.0%) - #21
1988 Score #160 Robin Yount
PSA 10 Value $30Total PSA Population 63PSA 10 Population 39PSA 10 Grade Rate 61.9% (Set Avg: 48.0%) - #22
1988 Score #450 Dale Murphy
PSA 10 Value $30Total PSA Population 124PSA 10 Population 96PSA 10 Grade Rate 77.4% (Set Avg: 48.0%) - #23
1988 Score #501 Reggie Jackson Orioles
PSA 10 Value $30Total PSA PopulationPSA 10 PopulationPSA 10 Grade Rate 0.0% (Set Avg: 48.0%)Score paid tribute to Reggie Jackson with a five-card subset that documented his time spent with the A’s (1968-1975), Orioles (1976), Yankees (1977-1981), Angels (1982-1986) and A’s again in 1987.
The Yankees and Angels cards can fetch $20 or so in high grade but the Orioles version can sell for $25 or even more.
Jackson’s name is undoubtedly a driver of that price but this is also one of the few times Jackson appeared in an Orioles uniform on any baseball card produced during his playing days.
- #24
1988 Score #72 Barry Larkin
PSA 10 Value $25Total PSA Population 37PSA 10 Population 24PSA 10 Grade Rate 64.9% (Set Avg: 48.0%) - #25
1988 Score #110 Roger Clemens
PSA 10 Value $25Total PSA Population 102PSA 10 Population 41PSA 10 Grade Rate 40.2% (Set Avg: 48.0%) - #26
1988 Score #350 Dwight Gooden
PSA 10 Value $25Total PSA Population 55PSA 10 Population 36PSA 10 Grade Rate 65.5% (Set Avg: 48.0%) - #27
1988 Score #360 Darryl Strawberry
PSA 10 Value $25Total PSA Population 79PSA 10 Population 49PSA 10 Grade Rate 62.0% (Set Avg: 48.0%)
Ross’s Take
While they may not be worth much these days, you can see that certain cards in top shape can still have a bit of value if they receive the right grade.
However, the cost to grade them doesn’t really justify the sell prices, though, unfortunately.
But, what they lack in value they make up for in nostalgia as many great names of the era appear throughout the 660-card checkliSt. Within the set were also several different subsets, including: Reggie Jackson Tribute (#500 – 504) Rookie Prospects (#623 – 647) 1987 Season Highlights (#648 – 660) Overall, I think the set is definitely colorful, includes some great players and has some great imagery within the checklist, so if you’re not overly concerned with values, this is just a fun set to collect.
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Ross Uitts – Owner
