The 1993 Upper Deck baseball card set was the sixth issued by Upper Deck and remains one of the most highly regarded and collected issues in the history of the hobby. The 1993 Upper Deck set marked several milestones and showcased the tremendous photography, design elements and production quality that had become synonymous with the brand.
Upper Deck had risen to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s by utilizing innovative design concepts, high-quality photography and superior printing methods that set their offerings apart from the traditional cardboard issues of Topps and Donruss. For 1993, UD took their formula to new heights by capturing some of the game’s biggest stars and career milestones on film in memorable ways.
The set totaled 792 cards and included all major league players as well as managers, coaches and team checklists. One of the most iconic cards was the Jim Abbott rookie card, featuring the left-handed pitcher who was born without a right hand. Abbott is shown throwing a pitch and his backstory of overcoming adversity to reach the major leagues made his rookie one of the most desired inserts in the set.
Other notable rookies included Derek Jeter, Cliff Floyd, Jermaine Dye, Jason Kendall, Bobby Ayala and Jason Bere. Standout veterans like Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Cal Ripken Jr., Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and many more were also prominently featured in the set with gorgeous action photography.
The technological advancements showcased by Upper Deck’s printing department were on full display in 1993. Photos popped vibrantly off the cardboard and fine details were crisp and sharp throughout. Pitchers like Randy Johnson, with his unusual delivery, were perfectly captured almost giving the illusion of motion. Carefully curated scene shots placed batters and pitchers in memorable mid-swing or mid-delivery poses.
Backs of the cards stayed clean and simple while adding career stats and information that collectors could reference to stay up to date on player performances throughout the season. A clear plastic front loader with rounded four corners protected each card and gave a sleek, modern look to the entire set. Upper Deck became known for paying close attention to every tiny production detail and 1993 was no exception.
Two of the insert series in 1993 have gone down as among the most valuable and desired chases in the entire hobby – ‘Star Rookies’ and ‘Gold Signature Edition’. The coveted Star Rookie parallel inserted a dazzling refractor-like photo into the base design and featured Jeter, Griffey, Maddux, Glavine and others. Finding the correct Star Rookie parallel to complete a player’s “star” made for a true thrill of the hunt.
‘Gold Signature Edition’ took insert cards to new heights by including serial numbered jersey swatches encapsulated within the card front. Signatures were obtained on rare gold stock and featured on-card for the first time. Legends like Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver and Chipper Jones were featured at the very start of Hall of Fame careers in this insert. Completing a full multi-player ‘Gold Sig’ run became the holy grail for advanced collectors.
The immense popularity and collector demand for 1993 Upper Deck was evident right out of the gate. Products sold out at the fastest rate the hobby had ever seen up to that point. Resellers scooped up boxes and cases as soon as they hit shelves. As the season progressed and events like no-hitters, Home Run Derby wins and award announcements occurred – key cards skyrocketed in value. Benchmarks were even surpassed when the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card became the first modern issue to eclipse the $1,000 price point.
By the midpoint of the season, many star cards had climbed well past initial issue prices of just a $1-2 retail. Cal Ripken Jr.’s record breaking 2,131st straight game card was one of the most expensive in the set. Variations of Michael Jordan’s basketball cameo card, which had a very short printing run, quickly became collectible anomalies worth thousands. Even career backups pulled from packs attained new collectors seeking every name and position possible.
As the 1993 season wrapped up with the iconic Toronto Blue Jays defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series, the lasting legacy and revered status of that year’s Upper Deck baseball issue was firmly cemented. It had captured a special time in the game on the brink of a new offensive era while pushing the envelope with innovative designs and inserts. Prices for star rookies and parallels continued climbing over decades to come establishing 1993 Upper Deck as one of the true cornerstone sets in the entire history of sports collecting. To this day it remains a measuring stick that newer issues are compared against. For those who completed a full base or master set in the early 90s – they knew they owned a true keepsake from one of the hobby’s golden eras.
