The 1990 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic rookie card releases of all time. While not quite as valuable as the classic rookie cards of the 1950s, several of the rookies featured in the 1990 Topps set have gone on to have Hall of Fame careers. As such, they remain highly sought after by collectors.
Perhaps the most notable rookie card in the 1990 Topps set is that of future 500 home run club member Frank Thomas. As the 7th overall pick in the 1989 draft by the Chicago White Sox, Thomas burst onto the scene by winning the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1990. His domination at the plate continued for years as he went on to win two MVP awards during his career. In recent years, mint condition copies of Thomas’s 1990 Topps rookie card have sold for well over $1000.
Another star rookie featured was Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Barry Bonds. Although Bonds would not reach his immense power potential until later in his career, collectors knew even then they had a special player. Bonds went on to break Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record and win a record 7 MVP awards. High grade copies of his 1990 Topps rookie now sell for hundreds of dollars.
Other future Hall of Famers who debuted in the 1990 Topps set include Atlanta Braves pitchers Tom Glavine and John Smoltz. Glavine was already establishing himself as one of baseball’s best left-handed starters from the beginning, winning the 1991 Cy Young award in just his second season. Smoltz showed ace potential early on as well before becoming a dominant late-inning reliever. Well-preserved copies of both of their rookies can still exceed $100.
Additional notable rookies included Seattle Mariners catcher Edgar Martinez, Boston Red Sox first baseman Mo Vaughn, Colorado Rockies outfielder Larry Walker, and Cleveland Indians first baseman Paul Sorrento. While none reached the immortal status of Thomas, Bonds, Glavine or Smoltz, they all enjoyed lengthy and productive MLB careers. Their rookie cards remain popular with collectors today.
Outside of the star rookies, the 1990 Topps set itself featured several innovative design elements that made it a favorite among collectors. For the first time, Topps incorporated team logo artwork onto the fronts of the cards alongside player photos. Glossy film stock was also used, giving the cards a sharp, vivid appearance that held up well over time. The set totaled 792 cards, with extended team sets filling out the latter half of the checklist.
When it was released in 1990, the initial price of a wax pack of 1990 Topps cards was around $1, containing five random cards. Today, unopened boxes can sell for thousands online, with the chance of hitting a valuable rookie still enticing collectors. Meanwhile, individual high-grade rookie cards of Thomas, Bonds, Glavine, Smoltz and others continue their slow rise in value as their retired numbers are called to the Hall of Fame. All in all, the 1990 Topps release has cemented its place as one of the most important and collectible baseball card sets ever made.
