The 1998 Upper Deck baseball card set is one of the classic releases from the 1990s that consistently attracts attention from collectors. Issued at the height of the collector boom, the 1998 Upper Deck set followed the highly successful and iconic designs of the brand’s earlier releases. Featuring stars from the 1998 season like Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, and others, the set captures a memorable period in baseball history. While retail boxes can still be found at reasonable prices, individual 1998 Upper Deck rookie cards and star player cards from the set have increased steadily in value over the past decades.
One of the standout rookie cards from the 1998 Upper Deck set is Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa’s base card. Sosa would go on to hit 66 home runs in 1998 as part of one of the most exciting home run chase seasons in baseball history alongside Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire. High grade Sosa rookies in PSA/BGS 10 condition have sold for over $1000 in recent years. Demand for Sosa’s iconic early career cards remained high considering he is one of the most prolific home run hitters of all time.
Another key rookie from the 1998 Upper Deck set is Astros pitching phenom Roger Clemens’ base card. Clemens was already a star by 1998 but this was his first card appearance with Houston after departing Boston. High grade Clemens rookies have steadily reached the $500-$1000 range as his Hall of Fame career has been recognized. His dominance on the mound and career accolades continue to attract collector attention to his early Astros cards.
The 1998 Upper Deck set is also highly sought after by collectors for stellar veteran star cards like Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, and others from that era. Griffey’s charismatic style and prolific power made him one of the most popular players of the 90s. Near mint Griffey base cards from the 1998 Upper Deck set recently sold for around $80-$100. Future all-time home run leader Barry Bonds’ rising dominance in the late 90s is also a major highlight, with his 1998 Upper Deck cards valued near $50-$70 in top grades.
The epic home run chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa captivated the nation’s attention in 1998 and made their cards extremely desirable, especially for key moments from that season. McGwire’s near mint graded 1998 UD cards can reach $60-$80 while PSA/BGS 10 examples of his iconic 62nd home run parallel card have eclipsed $1000. Sosa parallel cards marking big home run milestones are also in high demand. Pedro Martinez and Greg Maddux were also entering their prime in 1998 and remain consistent fan favorites, with their 1998 Upper Deck cards valued around $30-$50 near mint.
While the star cards mentioned garner the most collector attention, completing a 1998 Upper Deck set still holds appeal for many. Finding unopened retail boxes of the original 1988 Upper Deck baseball issue in collectible condition is rare but examples have still sold in the $500 range lately. For individual packs, $20-30 is a common recent selling price. A complete near mint graded 1998 Upper Deck set in PSA/BGS 9-10 condition would command $1000+ on today’s market. Of course, certain short printed serial numbered parallel inserts could exponentially increase a set’s total value.
The 1998 Upper Deck baseball card set remains an iconic release that generated enormous collector interest during the boom of the late 90s. Featuring huge stars and rookie cards from a memorable season in baseball history, key cards continue to attract demand and steadily appreciate in value many years after the set’s original issue. While affordable as a complete set, graded gems of standout rookies and parallels maintain strong collector attention for iconic players that defined that era. The historic 1998 home run chase alone ensures these cards have a permanent place in the hobby.
