The 1994 Upper Deck SP baseball card set was issued towards the end of the baseball card boom of the late 1980s and early 1990s. It contained traded and rookie cards of many star players that are still highly sought after today by collectors. While it did not see the massive print runs of some other contemporary sets, 1994 Upper Deck SP cards still hold value for collectors due to the star power included.
The set contains 132 total baseball cards with serial numbering on the front of the card running from 1 to 132. The checklist includes rookie cards of stars like Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Varitek, Hideo Nomo, and Jeff Weaver that saw their careers start to take off in 1994. Popular veterans like Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, Jeff Bagwell, and Tony Gwynn are represented with some of their best or final season cards in the set. The card design itself features a colorful border with team logo and player stat box on the front, and a large action photo with career stats on the back.
One of the most valuable cards in the 1994 Upper Deck SP set is the Ken Griffey Jr. card numbered 53. Widely considered one of the best all-around players of the 1990s, Griffey’s cards from his early Cincinnati Reds seasons are highly sought after. PSA 10 gem mint copies of his 1994 Upper Deck SP card have recently sold for over $700. Even well-centered near mint copies in the PSA 8-9 range can bring $150-300. Griffey would go on to have one of his finest statistical seasons in 1994.
Another star of the 1990s with a valuable card is Frank Thomas from the Chicago White Sox. His 1994 Upper Deck SP card numbered 90 consistently sells for $100-200 in PSA 8-9 condition. In gem mint PSA 10 status, it has reached over $400. At the time, Thomas was coming off back-to-back AL MVP seasons and on his way to a third in 1994. He is considered one of the premier power hitters of his generation.
Rookie cards that were issued in 1994 hold strong value as well since they were the initial cards for careers of future Hall of Famers. Nomar Garciaparra’s rookie card from the 1994 Upper Deck SP set numbered 94 has sold for up to $500 in top PSA 10 grade. Even in PSA 8-9 condition it averages $75-150 due to his brief but stellar career primarily with the Boston Red Sox. Another top rookie is Jason Varitek who had a lengthy and successful career primarily with Boston. His 1994 Upper Deck SP rookie numbered 118 has reached $250 in PSA 10, with PSA 8-9 copies selling in the $50-100 range.
Two Japanese rookie cards that debuted in the 1994 Upper Deck SP set and went on to star internationally are also valuable additions. Hideo Nomo broke into the Major Leagues with the Dodgers in 1995 and had a standout career mainly in Los Angeles and Boston. His rookie card numbered 96 has topped $400 in gem mint condition. Inquiries for PSA 8-9 copies often exceed $150. The other noteworthy Japanese rookie is Shigetoshi Hasegawa who pitched for the Dodgers and Giants across the 1990s and 2000s. His 1994 Upper Deck SP rookie numbered 115 has reached $250 PSA 10 and $75-150 PSA 8-9 range.
While stars and rookies garner the highest prices, solid major leaguers from the 1994 season have value as well in the highest grades. Jeff Bagwell from the Houston Astros who was enjoying one of his best statistical campaigns is priced around $100 PSA 10, $50 PSA 9 for his card numbered 22. San Diego Padres talented all-around player Ken Caminiti’s card numbered 29 has sold for $60 PSA 10, $30 PSA 9 as he captured the NL MVP that year. And veteran hitting machine Tony Gwynn of the Padres, on track for a fourth straight NL batting title in 1994, commands $75 PSA 10, $40 PSA 9 for his card numbered 70.
While print runs were larger than early 1990s sets, the 1994 Upper Deck SP baseball card checklist features numerous stars and future Hall of Famers enjoying top seasons. Rookie cards of players who went on to solid careers like Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Varitek retain collector interest as well. The vibrant card design has held up and combined with the talented players featured, the set remains a staple for collectors of the junk wax era and 1990s baseball memorabilia. Above-average condition copies of stars like Griffey, Thomas, Bagwell, and Gwynn routinely sell for $50-200. Meanwhile, top rookies and gems of stars can reach $300-500 continuing to give the 1994 Upper Deck SP set lasting collectable value.
