The 1999 Upper Deck Choice baseball card set was released late in the 1998 baseball season and featured some of the biggest stars and top rookies from that year. The set had 216 total cards and featured a mixture of player cards along with various insert sets. Some of the top stars featured in the base set included Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Greg Maddux, Ken Griffey Jr., and Tony Gwynn. The biggest draw for collectors was the chance to pull rookie cards of talented young players who were just starting to make a name for themselves in the big leagues such as Carlos Beltran, Nomar Garciaparra, Todd Helton, Vladimir Guerrero, and Derek Jeter.
The 1998 baseball season was one of the most exciting and record-breaking seasons in MLB history as Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa dueled down the stretch in a home run race for the ages. McGwire would ultimately break Roger Maris’s single season home run record, smashing 70 home runs. Meanwhile, Sosa would finish second with 66 home runs of his own. Their home run chase captivated the nation and brought new attention and fans to the sport of baseball. As a result, the 1999 Upper Deck Choice set was one of the hottest and most desired baseball card releases during the collecting boom of the late 90s.
The base set featured 216 total cards with each card having an image size of 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. The photography and card designs were top notch for the late 90s era. For the biggest star players, Upper Deck would feature multiple cards showing them in different poses or actions shots. For example, Mark McGwire had 4 unique base cards showing him in various home run swings. Meanwhile, Sammy Sosa also had 4 distinct base cards. Rookies and less prominent players generally had only one base card dedicated to them. The card stock and quality was also a step above most other brands during this time period which added to the appeal for collectors.
In addition to the base set, the 1999 Upper Deck Choice release contained several popular and valuable insert sets. The ‘Path to 69’ insert set featured 17 cards honoring Mark McGwire’s chase for the single season home run record. Each card in the set depicted McGwire hitting a different home run on his quest to break the record. Notable rookie cards could be found in the ‘Keeper of the Game’ insert set including Derek Jeter, Vladimir Guerrero, and Nomar Garciaparra. Upper Deck also included ‘Pitchers of the Game’, ‘Diamond Kings’, and ‘Golden Moments’ insert sets highlighting different players and their career achievements.
The most coveted and valuable insert set found in 1999 Upper Deck Choice packs was the ‘Hall of Famers Authenticated’ set. This extremely rare 8-card parallel featured swatches of game-used memorabilia authenticated by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Each card paired a legendary hall of famer with a current MLB star and contained pieces of a game-used jersey or cap directly from the hall of famer’s career. Examples included Mike Piazza patched with Mickey Mantle and Sammy Sosa paired with Ernie Banks. The rarity and inclusion of authenticated HOF memorabilia made these inserts among the crown jewels for any serious baseball card collector during the late 90s boom.
In terms of value, several key rookie cards from the 1999 Upper Deck Choice set have stood the test of time and increased tremendously in worth. Derek Jeter’s rookie remains one of the most iconic and valuable modern baseball cards ever produced. High grade Jeter rookies in PSA 10 condition have sold for over $400,000 at auction. Other top rookie cards like Carlos Beltran, Nomar Garciaparra, and Vladimir Guerrero also remain highly sought after and valuable. Key autographed and memorabilia rookie cards can fetch five figures as well. Many of the ‘Hall of Famers Authenticated’ inserts now sell for well over $10,000 each as well. The 1999 Upper Deck Choice set endures as one of the most popular and important flagship baseball card releases from the peak of the collecting boom era. Its star power, memorable rookie class, and valuable inserts have cemented its place in card collecting history.
The 1999 Upper Deck Choice baseball card set perfectly captured the excitement and magic of MLB’s record breaking 1998 season. Featuring the superstar performers of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa along with future Hall of Famers and all-time great rookies like Jeter, Beltran, and Guerrero, the set had something to excite collectors both young and old. Creative insert sets also added chase and memorabilia aspects that increased fan interest. Thanks to talented photography, durable construction, and highly coveted rookie cards, the 1999 UD Choice set remains a benchmark release to this day. Its enduring popularity and collectability ensure it will be remembered as one of the true classics from the unforgettable late 90s era in the hobby.
