The 1998 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic releases from the 1990s. While not the flashiest or most valuable set compared to some previous years, 1998 Topps featured several chase cards and rookie debuts that have stood the test of time and remain highly sought after by collectors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key cards from the 1998 Topps baseball set.
Perhaps the biggest storyline from the 1998 season was Mark McGwire continuing his assault on the single season home run record. In 1998, McGwire famously eclipsed Roger Maris’ long standing record of 61 home runs, finishing the year with an astonishing 70 long balls. Naturally, Topps featured McGwire prominently, with several variations highlighting his chase for the home run crown. His main base card shows McGwire towering over pitching with a menacing glare, capturing the awe and intimidation factor he brought to the plate during his record setting season. The true chase card was McGwire’s photo variation, which depicted him mid-swing. Only produced in extremely short print runs, McGwire’s photo variation skyrocketed in value over the years to become the most desired card in the set.
While McGwire grabbed the headlines in 1998, another young slugger was also beginning to make his mark. That was Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs. As McGwire’s chief rival in the race for the home run record, Sosa crushed 66 home runs of his own in 1998. Topps wisely chose to feature Sosa prominently as well that year. His main rookie card shows Sosa rounding the bases with a look of pure elation. Like McGwire, Sosa also had an ultra-short print photo variation that became enormously valuable. Any McGwire or Sosa cardboard from the iconic 1998 season, especially rare photo variations, can fetch thousands of dollars today.
Rookie cards are always a major draw for collectors chasing future stars in their early careers. The 1998 Topps set included rookie introductions for plenty of future all-stars and award winners. Arguably the biggest rookie debut was Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Eric Hinske. Hinske’s rookie card prominently displays his last name on the front, foreshadowing his breakout 31 home run season in 2002. While Hinske never became a true superstar, his rookie remains a key badge card for Jays fans and is in high demand. Another impact rookie was 37th overall draft pick Lance Berkman, who had a career .293 average and 366 home runs over 14 seasons. Berkman’s clean swinging stroke transitioned well to cardboard in his basic Topps rookie.
Staying in the American League, the 1998 Topps set had future Hall of Famers like Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, and Derek Jeter well represented with core base cards. Martinez’s card depicts his electric fastball delivery, capturing what made the flamethrower one of the most dominant starters ever. Clemens is shown on the mound in mid windup on his card. Meanwhile, Yankee shortstop Jeter received a flashy bordered card showcasing “The Captain” gliding across the infield. All three of these future first-ballot Hall of Famers possess cards from 1998 that hold value and nostalgia for collectors even after highly accomplished careers.
While star rookies and future Hall of Famers garner plenty of attention, breakout seasons can create unlikely heroes and memorabilia hits. In 1998, such an unexpected story belonged to then little-known outfielder Geoff Jenkins of the Milwaukee Brewers. Coming out of nowhere to bash 33 home runs in only his second season, Jenkins found cardboard fame with collectors. His basic Topps issue portrays Jenkins sliding into third base, mimicking the slick defense and hustle that helped turn his career around. Years later, Jenkins’ rising stock in 1998 makes his relatively common place card stand out from the build.
Another underrated gem from the set is the Tampa Bay Devil Rays franchise debut. As an expansion team, Tampa Bay received minimal early cardboard coverage. Their basic team logo card shows promise for the future. Depicting a menacing ray with an air of mystery, the logo foreshadowed the talented teams that would eventually emerge from Tampa. While not a true “hit” in 1998, the historical significance of the Devil Rays’ first Topps issue makes it a unique and desirable piece of memorabilia tracking the team’s early years.
In summing up, while later releases feature flashier designs and far greater star power, the 1998 Topps set remains a pivotal year for the hobby. Iconic rookie cards, breakouts, milestones, and team debuts enshrined some of the biggest players and stories from that memorable season. Keys like the photo variations of McGwire and Sosa, as well as star rookies like Hinske, Berkman, Martinez, Clemens, and Jeter maintain high values. Meanwhile, cards like Jenkins and the Devil Rays logo capture the nostalgia, surprise, and history of the year extremely well. Whether chasing stars, moments, or more off the board selections, 1998 Topps continues yield finds that resonate strongly with collectors decades later.
