1987 Topps Tommy John #142
Tommy John · Topps · Base
Player
Tommy John
Set
1987 Topps Base
Year
1987
Card #
#142
Condition Grade
PSA 7 (Near Mint). Surface looks clean and corners are relatively sharp for the era, but the centering is heavily shifted toward the top-right, which is a common production flaw for this set.
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Low to Moderate. Tommy John has a dedicated fan base and Yankees collectors always show interest, but this is a high-volume 'junk wax' era base card.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.25 - $1.00
Graded Value
PSA 8: $10-15, PSA 9: $25-35, PSA 10: $150-200
Comparable Sales
Recent raw individual sales range from $0.50 to $1.25 on eBay. PSA 9 examples have recently sold for approximately $28.00.
Description
Classic 1987 Topps 'Woodgrain' border design featuring New York Yankees pitcher Tommy John in his mid-delivery motion. The card features the iconic Yankees top-hat logo in the upper left and a bold red nameplate at the bottom.
Key Features
Iconic 1987 woodgrain design; features Tommy John, a borderline Hall of Fame candidate famous for the namesake ligament surgery; Yankees team card.
Authenticity Indicators
Authentic. High confidence based on the specific matte card stock, dot-matrix printing pattern in the photo, and correct color saturation for the 1987 set. Not a commonly counterfeited card due to high production volume.
Flaws to Note
Noticeable centering issues with the top and right borders being much thinner than the bottom and left; minor edge chipping typical of the brown woodgrain borders which show white wear easily.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as part of a lot), COMC for individual sales, or local card shop bulk bins.
Selling Tips
Not worth grading unless you are aiming for a PSA 10, as the grading fees exceed the value. Best sold as part of a Yankees team set or a 1987 Topps complete set. When photographing, use a black background to highlight the woodgrain edges.