Baseball cards were collectibles that featured the image and performance of a player. These cards were also called sports trading cards and had a famous market in the 20th century. However, demand started declining as the value diminished, with ample supply. However, only some players’ cards had the same quantity and value since there were some significant players whose cards have become vintage pieces for the fans in the current years. Here are five popular baseball cards of the 1980s and their worth.

Roger Clemens Rookie Card #181

The Topps Tiffany #181 Roger Clemens rookie card costs a maximum of $13,000 for the PSA 10 grade. Roger has won seven CY Young awards and 354 career wins; his 4,672 strikeouts make him a legendary baseball pitcher. 

The 11 All-Star winner was a Hall of Fame Candidate, but a single PED controversy had restricted his chances. Despite that, the collectors are excited to obtain his card for any price since the price has been rising in recent years.

Barry Bonds Rookie Card #320

Barry Bonds #320 costs almost $20,000 for the PSA 10 grade card of the O-Pee-Chee 1987 set. The seven-time National League MVP was named All-Star for 14 years of his career. He also received 8 Gold Glove awards and twelve Silver Slugger Awards.

Getting the PSA 10 Gem Mint version was almost impossible, so the cost of obtaining higher through each auction is reasonable from the collector’s point of view. The highest quality is even rare to find, considering Barry’s astonishing achievements in baseball.

Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card #220

Ken Griffey Junior Bowman Tiffany #220 is worth over $13,000 for the PSA 10 grade. Ken Junior was a part of the Bowman 1989 set. He was named All-Star Player of the Year 11 times while getting the Gold Gloves award in ten.  

With Griffey getting Hall Of Fame, the hype surrounding him grew stronger as the collectors hoped to obtain his Gem mint card. His standard card is worth more than $250 for the highest grade, with his Tiffany version being in four-digit value.

Rickey Henderson Rookie Card #482

Rickey Henderson is a vintage rookie with his Topps #482 Rookie card costing $125,500 for the PSA 10 Mint Grade. Even his PSA 9 grade cards sold for over $4,000 in 2021 after the Covid-19 lockdown reignited collectors’ love for him.

The two-time World Champion was named All-Star Player of the Year ten times. He also has one AL MVP award, three Silver Sluggers, and a Gold Glove award. Rickey’s high-grade Gem Mint condition card still has a six-figure value in 2023.

Mark McGwire Rookie Card #401

The Mark McGwire #401 rookie card is worth more than $11,000 for the PSA 10 Grade. His Topps Tiffany version of 1985 is hard to obtain in a gem mint state because of its positioning on the left side. 

Despite the controversy around him, several collectors want his card in their collection. The Olympic version of the Mark McGwire baseball card was a vital part of the 80s market.