Greg Maddux Rookie Cards

Start with the core 1987 rookie-year cards: Topps Traded #70T, Fleer Update #U-68, and Donruss #36. Raw copies are common, but sharp centering and clean edges can separate quickly in top grades.

Rookie year: 1987Flagship RC: 1987 Topps Traded #70T / Fleer Update #U-68 / Donruss #36Top recent sale: Top-graded examples from the core 1987 rookies can sell for much more than typical raw copies, especially when centering and eye appeal are strong.Updated: Dec 2025See live listings

Best Greg Maddux Rookie Cards

Topps Traded Rookie Card

1987 · Topps Traded · #70T

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Fleer Update Rookie Card

1987 · Fleer Update · #U-68

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Donruss Rookie Card

1987 · Donruss · #36

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Topps Traded Tiffany Rookie Card

1987 · Topps Traded · #70T · Tiffany

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Values & Trends

Greg Maddux rookie cards are classic late-1980s MLB issues where condition does most of the work. Raw copies are usually easy to find, but strong grades can separate fast because centering, edge wear, and print quality vary a lot across 1987 sets. Most collectors anchor on three mainstream rookies: 1987 Topps Traded #70T, 1987 Fleer Update #U-68, and 1987 Donruss #36.

Set recognition matters: Topps Traded and Fleer Update are widely treated as the most “mainstream” Maddux rookie-year cards.
Grade spreads can be big: Junk Wax supply is high, but true gem copies are harder than they look, so top slabs often pull away from raw.
Buy the exact version: Factory-set and premium-stock variants can price differently, so use set + number searches to compare like-for-like.

Buying Guide: How to Pick Greg Maddux Rookie Cards

Start with the flagship-style pick: Many collectors begin with 1987 Topps Traded #70T because it is widely recognized and easy to cross-check in comps.
Add the update-set counterpart: 1987 Fleer Update #U-68 is a core rookie-year issue and often feels like a “must-have” alongside Topps Traded.
Use tight searches: Search by set and number (for example “Greg Maddux 1987 Donruss #36”) so you do not mix in later-year cards.
Inspect condition like a grader: Look for sharp corners, clean edges, and strong centering. On many 1987 cards, small edge whitening and print issues are the difference between an average copy and a strong one.
Grade selectively: For most Maddux rookies, grading makes the most sense for clean copies with real gem potential. the $80 grading rule helps decide when fees are worth it.
Learn the era context: If you are newer to late-1980s baseball, this explainer on the Junk Wax Era makes the supply and grade premiums easier to understand.

Full Rookie Card Checklist

Card	Year	#	Details	90d Avg RAW	90d Avg PSA 8	90d Avg PSA 9	90d Avg PSA 10	eBay
Topps Traded Rookie Card Greg Maddux · Topps Traded	1987	70T	—	—	—	—	—	eBay
Fleer Update Rookie Card Greg Maddux · Fleer Update	1987	U-68	—	—	—	—	—	eBay
Donruss Rookie Card Greg Maddux · Donruss	1987	36	—	—	—	—	—	eBay
Topps Traded Tiffany Rookie Card Greg Maddux · Topps Traded Tiffany	1987	70T		—	—	—	—	eBay

True RC, Autos and Serials

For Greg Maddux, the hobby conversation usually centers on his 1987 pack-issued and factory-set MLB rookies, especially Topps Traded #70T, Fleer Update #U-68, and Donruss #36. Cards from later years can be great collectors’ pieces, but they are not substitutes for rookie-year issues. Modern-style low-serial parallels and rookie autos are not the main lane for 1987 flagship collecting, so most rookie-focused collections prioritize condition and grade instead.

Best Boxes & Sets to Pull Greg Maddux Rookie Cards

Grading & Population

With late-1980s baseball, the question is rarely “Is it rare?” and more often “Is it clean enough to grade well?” Centering, edge whitening, and print quality are common grading limiters, and those details can create a big price gap between a nice raw copy and a top slab.

Compare grading standards: PSA vs CGC vs BGS vs SGC
If you are buying higher-value graded copies online, it helps to verify the slab and listing details: quick fake slab checks

About Greg Maddux

Greg Maddux, nicknamed “Mad Dog,” is one of the greatest control pitchers in baseball history. Debuting with the Chicago Cubs and later starring for the Atlanta Braves, he won 4 straight Cy Young Awards, earned 18 Gold Gloves, finished with 355 wins, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. That mix of elite career achievement and accessible 1987 rookies makes him a strong target for collectors building a Hall of Fame pitcher collection.

FAQ

What is Greg Maddux’s true rookie card?

Most collectors treat his widely recognized rookie-year cards as 1987 Topps Traded #70T, 1987 Fleer Update #U-68, and 1987 Donruss #36.

How much is a Greg Maddux rookie card worth?

Values depend on the exact set, condition, and grade. Raw copies are usually affordable, while top grades can sell for much more. Use recent sold listings for the same card and grade as your pricing reference.

Which Greg Maddux rookie card is best to start with?

If you want one simple pick, start with 1987 Topps Traded #70T. If you want a small core set, add 1987 Fleer Update #U-68 and 1987 Donruss #36.

What is Topps Traded Tiffany for Greg Maddux?

Topps Traded Tiffany is a premium-stock, scarcer factory-set version of the same 1987 Topps Traded #70T card. It is usually more expensive in comparable condition.

Where can I buy Greg Maddux rookie cards?

Use the live listings link at the top of this page and search by set and card number. Filter by sold listings and grade so you can compare the exact version you want.

Should I grade a Greg Maddux rookie card?

Grading makes the most sense for clean copies with strong centering, sharp corners, and minimal edge wear. For average raw copies, grading fees may not be worth it.