The 1990 Topps baseball card set is widely considered one of the more unique and iconic issues in the modern era. While it featured many of the game’s top stars at the time like Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, and Roger Clemens, one of its most intriguing inclusions was that of Deion Sanders. As a rare two-sport athlete playing both football and baseball professionally, Sanders’ appearance in the 1990 Topps set made for a very interesting story.
Sanders was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft as a cornerback after starring as a wide receiver and defensive back for Florida State. He had also been pursued for his baseball talents and was selected by the New York Yankees in the 30th round of the 1988 MLB draft. Opting to first focus on football, Sanders signed with the Falcons but still pursued his dream of playing in the majors. In 1989, he began playing minor league baseball in the Yankees’ farm system during the NFL offseason.
It was Sanders’ baseball talents that led to his inclusion in the 1990 Topps set despite having not yet reached the big leagues. Listed as a prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization after being traded there in a deal, Sanders’ rookie card featured him in a Braves uniform on the front with basic stats and bio on the back detailing his journey between football and aiming for the majors. His unique two-sport status and potential to one day play in both the NFL and MLB made his rookie card an intriguing inclusion and one that has gained notoriety in the decades since.
While putting together respectable stats in the minors, Sanders was able to balance both baseball and football during this time period. He played cornerback for the Falcons during the NFL season before reporting to minor league baseball during the spring and summer months. Both sports exerted immense physical demanding, yet Sanders was able to hold his own in both thanks to his incredible athleticism and work ethic. It was truly a remarkable feat for any athlete, let alone one in their early 20s, to juggle competing professionally in two different sports.
Sanders made his MLB debut for the Braves in May of 1990. Though only appearing in 24 games and hitting .233, the magnitude of his debut was huge given his high-profile two-sport status. Baseball card collectors took notice that the speedy athlete they saw on his Topps rookie now had reached the majors. Sanders’ 1990 Topps card gained notoriety and value for collectors thanks to his on-field baseball debut and the potential he showed of having successful careers in both the NFL and MLB.
After his brief cup of coffee in the bigs in 1990, Sanders focused primarily on football over the next few seasons. He established himself as one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks with stellar play for the Falcons. Sanders was named All-Pro five times and selected to play in six Pro Bowls during his football career spanning 1989 to 2004. Additionally, “Neon Deion” as he became known, helped the Dallas Cowboys win a Super Bowl in 1995. He still long to continue his baseball dreams when time allowed.
Sanders returned to baseball for the 1992 and 1994 seasons, playing a total of 103 games over those two years split between the Braves and San Francisco Giants. He demonstrated good speed and defense but continued to struggle at the plate with a .221 average. Injuries also hampered his baseball performance at times. Still, the sheer fact Sanders was competing at elite levels in both the NFL and MLB, even if only part-time in baseball, captivated the sports world. His 1990 Topps card took on new meaning with each subsequent season he played in both sports.
After his 1994 MLB season, Sanders fully devoted himself to football again. He went on to enjoy several more strong NFL campaigns before retiring from the league after the 2005 season. Sanders’ remarkable two-sport athletic career that began receiving attention when included in the 1990 Topps baseball set had come to an end after nearly two decades. Over 1,200 total combined games played in the NFL and MLB made “Prime Time” one of the most accomplished multi-sport athletes in history.
Sanders’ 1990 Topps baseball card is now one of the most unique and desirable rookie cards for collectors. With his inclusion as both a baseball prospect and NFL player coming off a rookie season, combined with his on-field success in both leagues that spanned the rest of the 1990s, the card took on far greater significance than when it was first released. Numbered among the stars in the set like Griffey Jr. and Clemens, Sanders’ rookie stands as a fascinating historical document chronicling the early days of one of sports’ true renaissance men. Over 30 years later, it remains a highly collectible card capturing the aura of a one-of-a-kind talent.
For baseball card collectors and fans of the 1990 Topps issue, Deion Sanders’ inclusion is one of the true highlights of the set. As one of the first cards marking his journey as a professional two-sport athlete, it took on new meaning with each subsequent season. Sanders established himself as a premier defender in the NFL while still fulfilling his baseball aspirations on the side, a nearly unprecedented athletic accomplishment. His rookie card from that 1990 Topps set immortalized the start of one of sports’ most unique careers and remains a classic among collectors today. It captured a remarkable athlete at the dawn of showcasing his talents across two professional leagues.
