Market outlook
Stable Outlook 5/10
The card benefits from enduring Yankees and Mattingly collector interest, but the supply is extremely high and raw examples remain inexpensive. Most long-term upside is in graded 9/10 or visually strong copies, not in the base raw market.
Next months. Prices for raw copies should remain flat to slightly higher, while high-grade examples may see modest movement based on collector demand and grading-market trends.
Long term. Over 1-3 years, the card should remain stable with gradual appreciation in premium grades, but raw copies are likely to stay near common-card pricing.
History
Don Mattingly, nicknamed 'Donnie Baseball,' was one of the defining New York Yankees stars of the 1980s. A left-handed hitting first baseman known for exceptional contact hitting, defense, leadership, and consistency, he won the 1985 American League MVP and became one of the most beloved Yankees of his era. The 1987 Topps All-Star card honors him as one of baseball's premier players, reflecting his status as an elite franchise cornerstone during a period when Topps' All-Star subsets highlighted standout performers.
First released in 1987 as part of the Topps Baseball flagship set, specifically the All-Star subset within the main Topps release distributed nationwide in packs and wax boxes through hobby shops and retail channels.
- This is the 1987 Topps All-Star subset card #606 featuring Don Mattingly in his Yankees uniform.
- The card is part of one of the most heavily collected 1980s Topps issues, making high-grade examples relatively challenging due to mass handling and poor centering standards.
- Mattingly's popularity in the late 1980s and enduring Yankees fan base keep this card in steady demand despite its common-print status.
Rarity and print run
- Tier
- Common
- Print run
- Very High
- First printed in
- 1987 Topps Baseball
- Demand
- Medium
- Supply
- Abundant
- Mass-produced flagship Topps issue from the late 1980s
- Large surviving population in raw condition
- Only top-grade copies are meaningfully scarcer due to centering and condition sensitivity
- Standard base version is not serial-numbered or short-printed
Collector notes
Condition. Check centering carefully, as 1987 Topps cards are often off-center. Look for sharp corners, clean edges, original gloss, and avoid print defects like wax staining, surface scratches, roller marks, and chipping on the black-bordered areas of the design. The back should be free of wax residue and discoloration.
Storage. Store in penny sleeves and semi-rigid card holders or top loaders, and keep in a cool, dry, low-humidity environment away from direct sunlight. For higher-grade copies, use sleeves that minimize surface abrasion and consider graded/graded/graded grading if the card appears near-mint or better.
Authenticity. The card is widely available, so authenticity issues are usually limited to altered or counterfeit graded submissions rather than raw-card reprints. Verify Topps-era print texture, consistent cardstock, correct 1987 Topps font/layout, and proper card stock sheen. Compare the back text, registration, and color saturation with known authentic examples; when in doubt, prefer graded examples from reputable services.
