The 1998 Score baseball card set is one of the most iconic releases from the late 90s. While not as coveted as sets like 1988 Fleer and 1989 Upper Deck, 1998 Score still contains some remarkably valuable cards due to the all-time great talent featured. Let’s take an in-depth look at the top five most valuable rookie and veteran cards from 1998 Score based on PSA 10 gem mint prices.
Coming in at the number one spot iscards/1259 the Sammy Sosa rookie card. Sosa bursting onto the scene in 1998 slugging 66 home runs, making this one of the defining rookie cards for one of baseball’s all-time great sluggers. The Sosa rookie features a clean white border with his young smiling face staring directly at you from the front. On the back is a brief bio highlighting his impressive power numbers from the minors. In a PSA 10 gem mint condition, which is extremely difficult to achieve for a card over 20 years old, 1998 Score Sammy Sosa rookie cards consistently sell for $2,000 or more at auction. The card captures Sosa at the dawn of his stellar career right before he took the home run title over McGwire that year in one of baseball’s most memorable seasons.
In second among ’98 Score cards is Ken Griffey Jr.’s beloved upper deck rookie card. While not technically a rookie in Score since Griffey’s 1990 Upper Deck RC is the gold standard, this card features “The Kid” in his Seattle Mariners uniform from his MVP 1997 season. The card shows Griffey unleashing an epic powerful swing with his left knee raised high, capturing why he was such a fan favorite. Due to the rarity of high grade Griffey Jr. cards and his status as perhaps the most talented five-tool player of all-time, a PSA 10 1998 Score Ken Griffey Jr. can fetch north of $1,500. This classic Ken Griffey Jr. card remains a crown jewel in any collection.
One of the more surprising rarities from ’98 Score sitting at number three is the Vladimir Guerrero rookie card. While not being one of the sexy star rookie cards from the era like McGwire, Sosa, or Pujols, the Guerrero rookie has proven to be an excellent long-term investment. Part of this is due to Vlad’s outstanding career playing in Montreal and Anaheim winning an MVP and multiple Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards. His card shows a young Vladimir in the iconic Expos powder blue and tricolor uniform. With his compact yet powerful swing on full display, it projects why he was such a special talent. Extremely few 1998 Score Guerrero rookies grade a pristine 10, so they can sell for $1,000 or more for collectors looking to add one of the best right fielders of all time to their PC.
Sitting at number four among the most valuable 1998 Score cards is none other than the legendary rookie card of Albert Pujols. Coming off his incredible 2001 season where he won Rookie of the Year and led the league in runs, hits, doubles, slugging, and OPS, the stock of this already revered rookie card was sky high. The card design highlights his flawless swing from the left side with Angels across his chest, solidifying him as the face of the franchise almost immediately. While there were plenty of Pujols cards printed in ’01, high grade examples always demand top dollar. Example: a BGS-graded 1998 Score Albert Pujols PSA 10 recently changed hands privately for over $1,000 showing no signs of downward price movement. This iconic RC remains a prestigious piece of any collection two decades later.
Rounding out the top five most valuable 1998 Score cards at number five is none other than “The Bambino” himself, Babe Ruth. While not a rookie card since it features the already legendary Ruth at age 32 in 1934 with the Boston Braves, this vintage offering remains remarkably scarce to find in pristine condition after 84 years. The card displays an elegant portrait of the mammoth slugger swinging his iconic black bat, emphasizing why he was such a dominating force who completely changed the game. Surviving examples that grade ultra high PSA/BGS 10s can sell in the $800 range for serious vintage collectors looking to add one of the most important baseball figures of all-time to their treasured collection.
1998 Score proved to be a true powerhouse set featuring future Hall of Famers and contemporary stars like Sosa, Griffey, Guerrero, Pujols and even a glimpse into the past with the Babe Ruth issue. While demand may never be on the level of the all-time classics like ’88 Fleer, this affordable 90s staple has proven to house some surprisingly valuable rarities for collectors years later. If high grades can be attained, these top five 1998 Score cards provide incredible long-term potential as investments but are also fantastic centerpieces for any collection paying homage to iconic players from baseball’s rich history.
