1987 Topps - Bo Jackson

1987 Topps was a fine surprise. The woodgrain borders, the font, and the color management all made for a stand-out late-80s design. It was a bold move, with Fleer and Donruss designs getting more modern by the year. These had a natural and warm quality that harkened back to the '61 and '68 Topps designs. Yet, it was so smartly done that it did not seem old-fashion or nostalgic. And the "Future Stars," wow! I remember opening packs and looking for four things - Future Stars, All-Rookie Team Trophies, Tigers, and Don Mattingly.

This Bo Jackson cards is not only one of the best looking overall cards of the set, it is one of the best of the decade. His true rookie was in the 1986 late-series cards (Topps Traded, Donruss Rookies, and Fleer Update). But for a Bo Jackson that the common kid could get from a pack, this was it. The design, the colors, the sunlit photograph of Bo waiting on a fly ball, and one of the iconic sports figures of the 80s, this card had it all.