The 1998 Topps baseball card set is among the most coveted issues in the modern era for collectors seeking investment-grade rookie cards to submit to the leading authentication and grading service, PSA. Released in the midst of MLB’s 1998 home run chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa that helped revive interest in the sport, the ’98 Topps issue is notable for featuring the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Chipper Jones, Kerry Wood, Nomar Garciaparra, and others.
While cards from any vintage can potentially earn high PSA grades, the ’98 Topps set stands out for consistently strong pop report numbers in high tiers like PSA 10 due to the set’s quality control during production and the generally well-cared for condition of most surviving cards from the 1990s and early 2000s. Topps utilized thinner cardstock and sharp printing techniques in the late 90s that resulted in fewer factory flaws or issues that could potentially detract from a card’s grade. The protective cases and magnetic holders ubiquitous among collectors today didn’t exist yet, so fewer one-touch surfaces have dulled otherwise pristine examples over subsequent years in storage.
Perhaps no card from the 1998 Topps set is more coveted by PSA submitters and collectors than the Kerry Wood rookie. As a 20-year-old rookie sensation for the Chicago Cubs, Wood struck out 20 Houston Astros batters in a single game on May 6, 1998, setting a new major league record. His dynamic performance helped drive furious interest in his rookie card, which Topps produced with a photo from that record-setting game. In high grades from PSA, the Wood rookie has consistently sold for thousands due to its iconic subject combined with the set’s reputation for strong eye appeal. The Wood is among the most frequently submitted cards from the issue to PSA in hopes of maximizing its value.
Another breakout star whose 1998 Topps rookie is a perennial favorite for PSA grading is Nomar Garciaparra of the Boston Red Sox. As the 1997 AL Rookie of the Year, Garciaparra’s talent was evident but he broke out in 1998 by batting .323 with 30 home runs and 98 RBI while establishing himself as a fan favorite in Boston. Like the Wood, the Garciaparra rookie carries a substantial premium in high PSA grades due to his talent, fame and the set’s quality assurance. Multiple PSA 10 examples have sold at auction for over $1,000 each.
While 98 Topps featured numerous stars, one rookie who has risen in stature tremendously in recent decades is Ken Griffey Jr’s. As one of the best five-tool talents in baseball history, interest has grown exponentially in Griffey’s early cards, including his 1988 Fleer and 1989 Upper Deck rookies. The 1998 Topps issue also holds significance as possibly Griffey’s last “affordable” rookie while still depicting him as a member of the Seattle Mariners before multimillion-dollar free agency. In a PSA 10 slab, a Griffey ’98 Topps has repeatedly topped $2,000 at public sale.
Not all high-value 1998 Topps cards at PSA feature major stars, however. Role players and deeper rookie selections have also gained collector interest in high grades. For example, the cards of Tampa Bay Devil Rays players have increased in esteem in recent years after that franchise became the Tampa Bay Rays and won the 2008 AL pennant. Prospects like pitcher Paul Wilder, who never panned out, have gained cult followings. Wilder’s ’98 Topps PSA 10 has sold for over $500 before. Meanwhile, rookie cards of solid career regulars like Jason Kendall remain respected vintage pickups for PSA registries in pristine condition.
While its biggest names remain the most expensive, the affordability of 1998 Topps submissions to PSA has kept the entire set routinely appearing before graders. Compared to ultra-premium vintage or the inflated modern marketplace, cards from 1998 can still be acquired for submission for hundreds rather than thousands. Achieving that elusive PSA 10 still results in a substantial increase that makes pursuit of the grade worthwhile even for more common players. The set’s combination of star power, strong surviving condition, and affordable collecting has continued to feed the popularity of raw 1998 Topps cards entering the PSA pipeline well into the 2020s and likely for decades to come.
