The 1999 Upper Deck baseball card set was one of the most highly anticipated releases of the late 90s. Upper Deck was the premier brand in the hobby at the time and collectors were eager to see which rookie cards and valuable veterans would be featured. While it didn’t contain any true superstar rookies on the level of a Griffey Jr. or Ichiro, there were still several cards that have stood the test of time and gained significant value over the past two decades. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable and desirable cards from the 1999 Upper Deck baseball set.
One of the top cards from the ’99 Upper Deck set is the Chipper Jones SP Autograph (#221). Chipper was already an established star for the Atlanta Braves by 1999, having won the NL Rookie of the Year award in 1995 and an NL MVP in 1998. His autograph parallels from Upper Deck were highly sought after and this crisp on-card signature ranks among the best. In a PSA 10 Gem Mint grade, the Jones autograph has recently sold for over $1,000. Even in lower PSA 8-9 Excellent-Mint grades, this card still fetches $300-500. Autographed parallels have always been a specialty for Upper Deck and Jones’ signature and fame added significant value here.
Another high-dollar pull is the Sammy Sosa Refractor (#96R). Sosa had just hit 66 home runs in 1998 to challenge Mark McGwire’s single season record. Refractors were the insert chase cards of the 90s and any Sosa parallel had collector demand. This colorful Sosa Refractor looks spectacular in person and grades very well due to Upper Deck’s protective coating. Recently a PSA 10 sold for just under $900 while a PSA 9 brought over $500. Sosa’s star power remains strong with collectors and his iconic home run races added to this card’s historical significance.
Staying in the slugger category, the Mark McGwire Refractor (#218R) is a true heavyweight in the set. Much like the Sosa above, McGwire’s record-breaking 1998 season where he and Sosa dueled for 62+ homers was still fresh in collector’s minds. His iconic stance and swing pictured on this card continue to attract fans young and old. PSA 10 examples have sold for over $800 with PSA 9’s bringing approximately $500-600 depending on the market. McGwire remains a polarizing figure but his ’98 accomplishments can’t be denied and this Upper Deck issue captures an icon of the steroid era at the peak of his powers.
Switching gears to pitching, one of the most visually stunning cards from the update set is the Pedro Martinez Refractor (#121R). Martinez was already a two-time Cy Young winner by 1999 and was establishing himself as perhaps the most dominant pitcher in baseball. His wind-up and delivery are pitch perfect on this card and the refractor technology really makes his smiling face pop. Recently a PSA 10 brought over $900 and even a PSA 9 still sold for about $600 showing this card’s long term popularity. Martinez’s elite talent and popularity in Boston have maintained strong collector interest in his rookie and early career issues from the 90s.
Switching to rookie cards, while there wasn’t a true superstar in the 1999 Upper Deck class, several players showed promise. One that has held steady value is the Tim Hudson rookie card (#229). Hudson went on to become a solid, durable starter collecting over 200 wins and making 3 All Star teams for the A’s and Braves. His rookie is fairly scarce in high grade and a recent PSA 10 sold for $425. In PSA 9 condition, this Hudson generally fetches $200-300. While not the biggest name, Hudson had a very good career and this served as his only true rookie making it an iconic card for A’s collectors.
Another rookie that has some long term appreciation is the Alfonso Soriano issue (#231). Soriano broke out with the Yankees in 1999 to garner ROY attention and went on to have a nice power-speed career collecting over 400 steals and 300 home runs. As an exciting young talent in pinstripes, his Upper Deck rookie saw early collector interest. Higher end PSA 10’s have sold near $350 while PSA 9’s usually land around $200-250. Soriano showcased 5-tool promise that intrigued collectors and this served as his primary rookie card which continues to hold fan interest.
While not overwhelming in true superstar rookies, the 1999 Upper Deck set did feature several budding young talents like Hudson and Soriano who went on to have solid MLB careers. Cards of the towering sluggers like Sosa, McGwire and veteran superstars like Pedro Martinez still capture collector attention decades later for their historical significance in capturing icons of the late 90s steroid era at the peak of their popularity and prodigious power. The high-end autographs, refractors and select rookie cards from this release like the five highlighted here remain some of the mostvaluable collectors’ items from the entire set nearly 25 years later.
