It would take a few years for Sammy Sosa's career to heat up so I don't recall this card being too hyped at the time. 1997 Topps Screenplays Baseball is another product from the mid-1990s to experiment with using motion. Before we get started, I do want to make it clear that most of the cards from this set do not have any value these days. Due to poor sales of the previous Fleer Update sets, the print run was slashed for the 1992 release, making it one of the few hard-to-find sets of the Junk Wax Era. Sure, its not George H.W. POP APR REGISTRY SHOP Note. Sandberg reached 30 home runs (exactly) for the first time in 1989 as he helped the Cubs win their second division title, and first since 1984. Dates back to 80s and 90s. While batting .318 with 32 home runs, 104 runs scored, and 109 RBI, Thomas also led the league in walks (138), OBP (.453), and OPS (1.006), helping to launch his reputation as a disciplined and well-rounded hitter. This card sold for $1,910 in 1966. In todays market, a mint 1991 Chipper Jones could be worth somewhere around the $5k mark. The most valuable cards include rookie cards and cards from Sandbergs year in the Minor League. It was sold at an auction in 1966. There was no bigger rookie heading into the 1990 season than Ben McDonald. Its also seen as his ultimate rookie card, helping to further drive up prices. And he also gave us the chance to see him on a Giants card, a reality Topps helped facilitate that fall in their Traded set. Similar to the Andruw Jones cards in the same set, high-grade versions of the Bowman's Best card command a premium price. It was futuristic for the time, but Jeters SP RC is a clear cut above the others found on this list. That means the card needs to be basically flawless. . Edges are a major issue when it comes to grading, and better versions show off every curve of Mantles ear. You May Like: Baseball Knicker Pants With Piping. In the current market, Jordan cards from 91 are worth anything up to $400. This Upper Deck card shows Frank Thomas in the motion of striking a ball. Besides being the best Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card, it helped usher in a new era in the hobby that included glossy card stock and premium production values. Topps continued their Ryan celebration here by showing him with the Houston Astros, who had made the future Hall of Famer the first baseball player to earn $1 million+ when they signed him as a free agent prior to the 1980 season. As many sets had excessive print runs, (think millions, although nobody knows for sure) the majority of 1990s options are worth little more than the cost of the materials that they were printed on. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Mostly, though, it was just a steady climb to 2200+ career hits, pulling his rookie card along with him. This is about as bland a card as youre likely to find for one of the greatest pitchers of all time, but I guess that was Roger Clemens punishment for having not won a Cy Young award for two years running at the time of issue. Today, even after the great slugger downfall of the 2010s, Sosas rookie cards maintain enough hobby swagger to appear on lists like this one. Still, that doesn't mean 1990 Fleer cards have no value. Well start off with a rare card from 1991. 1. This card is a 1994 insert card or chase card released by Upper Deck in limited editions of 1,000 cards. Coming in the number 1 spot for the most Valuable 1990s basketball cards is the Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems card. Basketball legend Michael Jordans ill-fated attempt to become a baseball star is generally meme-worthy, but his RC from 1991 is still one of the better cards from the decade. With 10,886 PSA 9 and 3,857 PSA 10 in circulation, it's not hard to find a high-grade version, but they still sell for a premium as an iconic card of one of the decade's biggest stars. Don Mattinglys career was almost a tale of two decades. This company was founded in 1988 with headquarters in the US. In this case, its just a couple hunks of the black links surrounding the name box and not the name itself that are missing. Top 25 Most Valuable Baseball Cards from the 1990's - Rookie Cards Only . Both players are shown side by side, wearing caps that help to denote the team they play for. Recently a PSA 10 gem mint condition version of his 1997 card sold at auction for $1,591 making it one of the most valuable cards of the 90s. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Needless to say, his 1990 rookie cards sort of got lost in the glare of guys with more hyper surrounding them until he started mashing, that is. The product was only available to hobby dealers and a few select retail outlets, and the result was a smaller print-run than the massively overproduced counterparts of the era. What seemed to start out as a sort of cheap attempted knockoff of the classic 1975 Topps set actually has some character of its own. The GOAT took some time away from basketball to chase his lifelong dream of playing professional baseball. Of course, before that could come to pass the Red Sox had to ship him to St. Louis, which they did during that summer of 1990. The value of this card is $5 million. Its difficult to find a more important autographed duo card in the history of baseball, featuring two players who tore up the record books during their respective careers. So, just how costly are the most sought-after baseball cards? I have looked and cannot find the value. We use cookies to improve your experience. Some of the Mantle-only autos were pulled, then later signed by Griffey. In addition to anointing him with the first card in their new set to celebrate that unheard-of milestone, Topps also ran the Ryan Express through the next four numbers on their checklist, offering a unique career retrospective. Despite such controversy, the 90s produced some fantastic highs and quality players which would affect the baseball card market in the long term. There are tons of Nolan Ryan collectors so demand is still decent for this card. Cards 258. If you continue to use this site, we'll assume you're OK with that. To honor President Bush, Topps printed 100 or so of these with a picture of him during his college days in his Yale uniform. Their rarity, combined with their quality (PSA 9+) gives them their value. You shouldnt be fooled by the SP label, as it still had a massive print number when you compare it to the modern sets of today. In fact, while fellow White Sox rookies Robin Ventura and Scott Radinsky picked up some votes for Rookie of the Year honors in 1990, Thomas didn't receive any at all. Juan Gonzalez kind of got lost in the shuffle of the home run barrage during the late 1990s and the early 2000s, and especially because he sort of flamed out in his early-to-mid 30s. For many in the hobby, we have a shorthand when a young player starts hitting home runs at a rapid rate. The next couple seasons were lean, though, as Sammy struggled for playing time, especially after a 1992 trade to the Cubs. While cards are easily available for purchase, the most valuable ones have reached seven-figure territory. Frank Thomas is no John Littlefield, after all. And he nearly won the batting title with his .325 average, narrowly losing out to George Brett (.329) on the final day of the season. (Note: The following sections contain affiliate links to eBay and Amazon listings for the cards being discussed. He would extend that 0-fer to three years in 1990 before getting off the snide and reigniting his cards in 1991. Hyped as a generational talent and future superstar from the moment he was taken No. The eBay scam sort of stuck, unfortunately, and some folks are still paying a premium for a card thats just a common. Prices are updated daily based upon 1990 Classic listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. In this case, its just a couple hunks of the black links surrounding the name box and not the name itself that are missing. Only 373 of the 3,125 submitted to PSA have come back with a PSA 10 grade. But these cards are still fun all these years later, and they might just surprise you, if you give them a chance. What would be the value of a Topps Ripken card with Frank THomas name on it by mistake? By the time collectors started pulling his rookie card, enough of those guys Tim Raines, Andre Dawson, Tim Wallach, etc. On the card itself, Jordan is pictured during batting practice with the White Sox before a home game in 1990. Check prices on: Bo Jackson was an incredibly popular athlete during the late 80s and early 90s. We strive to provide simple, straightforward advice that is objective, independent, and honest, helping you get the most for your money in the sports card investment world. Also Check: National League Standings For Baseball. That was Walkers last year with the team. $49.00. Puckett remains a collector favorite today, earning this card showing the man in his prime a slot on our list. Ahead, we've taken a closer look at the 10 most valuable rookie cards of the 1990s. We didnt really know that Dont Call Me Joey would be a thing when this card was issued, but wed find out soon enough that Albert Belle had one of the most potent bats in the history of baseball. In this guide, we take a look at the 20 most valuable 1990 Topps baseball cards. It remains to be seen if Bonds will be inducted into the Hall of Fame but I dont think anyone can argue how talented he was. After a slow start to his minor league career, he put together a breakout season at High-A in 1991, hitting .277/.344/.540 with 27 doubles, 29 home runs and 80 RBI in 117 games. You might also enjoy our Ultimate Guide treatment of 1990 Topps baseball cards, right here. Recently a PSA 10 gem mint condition version of his 1997 card sold at auction for $1,591 making it one of the most valuable cards of the 90's. Adrian Beltre (1997 Bowman Chrome International Refractor #182) Beltre's rookie card from 1997 recently sold at auction for $3,016. Like the Griffey card on this list, this may not be the most exciting card in the world. T210 Old Mill Joe Jackson The T210 Old Mill deck is one of the most varied. After the initial production run, someone may detect the error and pull the card from the line. These cards often sell for $50 to $75, depending on the popularity of the player. This card was produced in a limited edition of only 24 examples, with this one being #14/24. Ken Griffey Jr. is back again, in one of the most important sets from the 1990s. I've always liked the look of these cards, and as a kid, I loved ripping packs in search of rookies and star players. But rather than the couple of frames a Sportflics card gives. Jeters 1993 SP Foil is arguably the pick of the bunch and the most expensive and has also seen a notable uptick in recent years. Most Expensive 1990 Topps card list & price guide. 1992 Fleer Update #U-92 Mike Piazza Buy on eBay The Most Valuable 1990s Baseball Cards: Summary It turns out there was. Get my weekly newsletter with the latest hobby updates delivered straight to your inbox! The first of those historic sales was for what many believe is the most iconic trading card in all of sports. This card and others like it are what make it seem like the whole blackless or NNOF phenomenon might just be a printing problem and not an actual design/release error . Rickey led the AL in four major statistical categories beginning with runs scored (119), stolen bases (65), OPS (1.016), and OBP (.439). Baseball in the 1990s was dominated by two teams. Would anyone be interested in buying my Sports Card Collection. The fact that there are only two of them has helped increase demand, with the 1995 Bowman and 1995 Bowman's Best sets containing his only rookies. 1 prospect in baseball at the start of the 1996 and 1997 seasons, Andruw Jones is one of the most hyped minor leaguers of all time, and homering twice in Game 1 of the 1996 World Series when he was only 19 years old only fueled the fire. I have a jose Uribe 87 donruss,I googled his birthday and it was 1959, but my card says 1960,. In fact, its so sensitive to chipping and wear that a combination of the design and packaging caused many copies to grade less than PSA Mint 9, even when pulled straight from the pack. It includes a lot of minor players that you may not have heard the name of before. The 1993 SP Jeter is one of the best cards from the 1990s, produced on a foil background that can be ruined by the faintest touch. Maddux turned in his second big season for the Cubs in 1989, with his 19-12, 2.95 ERA helping the northsiders to a division title. And he was an integral part of the Yankees dominance of that era. There are clues that will help you tell which was an original dual and which was signed by Griffey after the fact, so be sure to check it out. An additional 420+ MLB taters followed, along with a couple of MVP awards and plenty of other accolades. If we are talking Upper Deck, a card brand that blew up in the 90s, its only right Ken Griffey Jr. be included here multiple times. Clean-looking raw versions regularly sell for over $1,000 on eBay, with buyers hoping to strike gold by getting it graded. In his first full season back in Oakland after a four-and-a-half-year stint with the Yankees, Rickey Henderson played lights out in 1990, to put it mildly. The green background makes any flaws or cornering issues easier to detect, which is why finding a mint condition copy of this card is difficult. While many cards from the 90s are effectively worthless, there are a number of solid options that have increased in value rapidly over the past decade. Some of these foil cards are so delicate they may have been damaged when they were first bought and taken out of the packaging. That showing came with a massive power outage that would last most of the rest of Pucks career, but he remained a smiling catalyst as the Twins won their second World Series in five years in 1991. You May Like: Baseball Tournaments In Southern California. Rookie cards were typically harder to find compared to cards issued later in a players career, which makes them more valuable. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. But Mickey Mantle? The New York Yankees signed 20-year-old Mariano Rivera out of Panama on Feb. 17, 1990, and he allowed just 17 hits and one earned run with 58 strikeouts in 52 innings in his pro debut at the rookie ball level later that year. Many thought there were no limits to where his first cards might go. Though he may not have been MLB's hottest rookie in 1990, he certainly turned into one of the biggest superstars of his era. The card is key for three main reasons: Mike Trout is a generational talent, and his . There are RCs and special editions, so its highly unlikely that youll find one stuffed down the back of the couch. The normal 1991 Topps is worth a fraction of the price, and youll be able to tell the difference by looking for a see-through gold emblem under the 1st Draft Pick logo on the front of the card. Highlighting Reggie Jackson, the "Heroes of Baseball" set that originated in 1990 would. 1990 Upper Deck Baseball unleashed one of the biggest baseball card innovations ever autographs. Autographed Cards Population Totals. (Updated for 2022), Baseball All Time Greats Babe Ruth Card Value, New Balance Mens 4040v5 Turf Baseball Cleats, Fleer Brilliants 24k Gold Ken Griffey Jr. card, New Balance Mens T4040v5 Turf Baseball Shoes. That decision was one of the worst in baseball history. Even if you werent born at the time, youve probably watched The Last Dance and know something about Michael Jordans hiatus from the Chicago Bulls in the early 90s. And at the end of his career, he was just a notch or two below Cooperstown levels, but still plenty decorated enough to make his rookie card a solid hobby star all these year later. Gwynn won a batting title in 1989, giving him four heading into his 30s and a new decade. It has seen better times as far as values go but its still universally beloved for those that collected in the 1990s. If theres a Holy Grail of all 1980s baseball cards, the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. is it. Of the six Kevin Maas Rookies, its the 1990 Upper Deck that resonates most. While currently ranked as the 5th most valuable baseball card, when Trouts 2009 Bowman Chrome Superfractors autographed card serial-numbered 1/1 sold in August 2020, it became the most valuable baseball card in the hobby. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. But as his career progressed and the home runs kept piling up, he turned into one of the most popular players in the league. Ungraded & graded values for all '90 Fleer Canadian Baseball Cards. I wont get into it here, and theres a great article on PWCC that dives deeper that was just written this past June, and offering this nugget: The pack pulled, dual Mantle and Griffey auto is one of the most desirable dual auto pack pulled cards ever. Somewhat surprisingly, Griffey Jr.'s card is actually worth more than the Frank Thomas rookie (with his name on the front). Naturally, his rookie cards were hot tamales. 1 overall in the 1993 draft, Alex Rodriguez debuted the following year and then set the card market ablaze when he hit .358/.414/.631 with 54 doubles, 36 home runs, 123 RBI and 141 runs scored in his age-20 season to finish runner-up in MVP voting and win the AL batting title. At 36, Gary Carters best days were behind him in 1990, but he still put up a solid season at the plate for the Giants that summer. Bonds card prices, its seems, like his Hall of Fame candidacy, are victims of his PED taint. The combination of the two greats and a dual autograph is enough to drive interest, which is why it makes the list. But, the Toronto Blue Jays did let him tryout and I guess that was good enough for Score to put him in their Traded series. Each card is lenticular. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. With six straight All-Star appearances and one MVP during the 1980s, Mattingly seemed to be on a clear path towards the Hall of Fame. Robb Report. Mike Piazza is one of the most iconic catchers in the game. The only Leaf card to make the list, their 1996 set is one of the best the company ever released. Now that we got that out of the way, let's take a look at the top ten: 1990 Score #697 Bo Jackson Estimated PSA 10 Value: $70 Check Prices On: Amazon This card is arguably one of the most iconic cards of the "junk" era. Everyone wanted Don Mattingly cards when I was a kid. It's said that those that made it to the White House were coated with a glossy finish. The hobby has never been more popular, while sets were expanding into crazy territory. As an added disclaimer no copyright infringements were meant to be made in regards to the publishing of the images and cards. Despite not making his major league debut until June 29, Kevin Maas still managed to hit 21 home runs for the Yankees in his rookie season. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. His only rookie cards are in the 1995 Bowman and Bowman's Best sets, as Bowman Chrome would not be introduced until two years later. Even if it's not in pristine shape, it can still be worth thousands of dollars. It was the first to offer an auto in every pack, with signatures from some of the biggest stars from the time. The "Topps All-Star Rookie" trophy symbol made this one stand out a bit more from other cards in this set, too. Not surprisingly, Thomas 1991 breakout (.318, 32 home runs, 109 RBI, 104 runs) sent us all scrambling to find his 1990 rookie cards, and theyve been hobby royalty ever since. Two years later, he was an All-Star for the first time, and the year after that he won his first of two Cy Young awards. In the 1990 set, that RB card celebrated Rickeys 40th career leadoff home run late in 1989, which extended his own record. And, although Murphy struggled in Philly and Colorado before retiring in 1993, hes still a hobby heavyweight all these years later, and this card reflects a solid hunk of 1980s baseball history just as an era was about to end. And together with a great action shot of Griffey showing off his sweet swing, that color scheme makes this one of the best-looking cards in the set.