The 1995 Upper Deck baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the ’90s. While not quite as coveted as the flagship 1987 and 1989 sets that helped launch the brand, the ’95 Upper Deck offering featured several stars and rookie cards that have stood the test of time. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable cards from this 700-card release.
Ken Griffey Jr. (#1) – Widely regarded as one of the best all-around players of the 1990s, Griffey was already a four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glover by 1995. His card led off the set as the number one overall and remains one of the most iconic baseball cards ever printed. High-grade Griffey rookies from this set can fetch thousands.
Chipper Jones (#87) – As one of the premier third basemen of his generation, Jones made his major league debut in 1995 and had a strong rookie campaign. His rookie card from Upper Deck is one of the more valuable from the set, especially for Braves collectors. Graded examples have sold for well over $1000.
Derek Jeter (#156) – While he didn’t have the hype of some other rookies at the time, Jeter quickly established himself as the Yankees shortstop of the future in 1995. His rookie is one of the most iconic from the decade and remains a must-have for any collection. High-end PSA 10 examples have reached over $15,000 at auction.
Nomar Garciaparra (#268) – Garciaparra made a huge splash as a rookie in 1997 after winning the AL Rookie of the Year award. But his first major league card came in 1995 as a member of the Red Sox organization. It remains one of the more sought-after rookie cards from this set.
John Smoltz (#314) – Already an established starter by 1995, Smoltz would go on to cement his Hall of Fame resume over the next decade. His card from this set is a nice one for Braves fans and pitchers card collectors alike.
Ivan Rodriguez (#340) – “Pudge” Rodriguez had already won the AL Rookie of the Year in 1991 but continued establishing himself as the premier catcher of the 1990s. Highly regarded for both his offense and defense, his card is a standout in the set.
Jeff Bagwell (#349) – Bagwell was coming off a strike-shortened 1994 season where he finished third in MVP voting. He was already one of the game’s most feared hitters and his card is a prime example of the power-hitting first basemen of the era.
Randy Johnson (#366) – “The Big Unit” was in his prime with Seattle in 1995, coming off a strikeout title and finishing third in Cy Young voting. At 6-foot-10, he was one of the most imposing pitchers in baseball and his Upper Deck card captures that intimidating presence on the mound.
Cal Ripken Jr. (#385) – By 1995, Ripken had long cemented his status as one of baseball’s iron men and finest shortstops. His consecutive games played streak was over 1,500 games and he was a two-time AL MVP. His card remains a highly regarded one.
Roger Clemens (#412) – Arguably the top pitcher of the late 1980s and 1990s, Clemens’ 1995 campaign saw him win his fourth Cy Young award. As one of the most dominant hurlers ever, his Upper Deck card is a true showcase of his talent and competitiveness on the mound.
Barry Bonds (#455) – Already a three-time NL MVP, Bonds was in his physical prime in 1995. That season he led the league in home runs and would go on to smash the single-season home run record in 2001. His card is one of the defining cards of the steroid era.
Ken Griffey Jr. (#500, SP Variation) – Upper Deck included several spectacular serial-numbered parallel cards in 1995. Griffey’s blue-border serial-numbered parallel to 500 copies remains one of the true grails of the set. High-grade examples can sell for over $10,000.
In terms of design, photography and production quality, the 1995 Upper Deck set is considered among the finest of the early 90s era. It captured so many future Hall of Famers and young stars at pivotal moments in their careers. While it doesn’t have the true rookie card cachet of 1987 or 1989, there remains something truly special about this 700-card release that is worth exploring for any collector. The combination of stars, rookies, and short prints make it one of the true heavyweight sets from the junk wax era.
