The 1998 Score baseball card set is widely considered one of the most valuable vintage sports card releases in the modern era. With rookies of future legends like Ken Griffey Jr., Sammy Sosa, Randy Johnson, and Tom Glavine, the ’98 Score set featured some of the most iconic players of the late 90s and careers just getting started. While the printing numbers for this set were rather high compared to other card issues of the time, there are still several ’98 Score cards that have seen their values rise into the thousands due to the enduring legacies of those depicted on the cardboard. Let’s take a look at some of the most expensive and sought-after 1998 Score baseball cards in today’s market.
Perhaps the most desirable and priciest ’98 Score card is the Griffey Jr. rookie. While Ken Griffey Jr. was already an established star by 1998 after nearly a decade in the big leagues, his rookie card from the 1989 Upper Deck set remains one of the top selling sports cards of all-time. The Griffey Jr. ’98 Score rookie serves as the follow up to his true first card and catches “The Kid” in the prime of his career with the Seattle Mariners. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples of this card in recent eBay sales have commanded prices up to $1,500. Other near-mint copies have also sold for $500-800. Griffey’s popularity, talent, and status as a “once in a generation” type player is largely why his ’98 Score rookie maintains huge demand.
Staying in Seattle, the ’98 Score rookie card of slugger Alex Rodriguez also carries heavy value these days. A-Rod would go on to shatter offensive records and become a household name for both his play and off-field antics. In PSA 10 condition, his ’98 Score debut has sold for over $1200. Even in rougher grades of PSA 8 or Beckett 8.5, this Rodriguez rookie still trades hands for $400-600 among card collectors seeking the beginning of a truly special career. The combination of Rodriguez’s stats, fame, and the fact he was one of the last big stars without a true “flagship” rookie make his ’98 Score issue an essential for Mariners and A-Rod aficionados.
Perhaps the most financially successful player depicted on a ’98 Score card is Cubs’ slugger Sammy Sosa. Sosa exploded onto the national scene from ’98-2001 by setting single season home run records and becoming a fan favorite known for his joyous home run trots. High-grade versions of Sosa’s ’98 Score card have sold for well over $1000 given his iconic status in Chicago sports history and massive popularity at the height of the steroid era home run chase. Even moderately played copies can still attract bids up to $300-500 based purely on Sosa nostalgia alone. With 635 career long balls, three 60+ home run seasons, and his role in baseball’s late 90s renaissance, Sammy’s flashy ’98 Score card will likely hold value for a long time.
Continuing with sluggers who thrived in the late 90s, Mark McGwire’s ’98 Score issue also carries four figure price tags in top condition. Coming off his then single season record 70 home run campaign with the Cardinals in ’98, Big Mac was the biggest name in baseball during the Card’s World Series victory that year. PSA 10 McGwire rookies, which are extremely rare, have gone for upwards of $3000 recently. But even lower graded copies in the PSA 8-9 range can sell between $500-1000. McGwire’s infamous place in the steroid controversy hasn’t diminished collectors’ desire for a piece of baseball’s home run heyday through his rookie.
While pitchers don’t usually drive prices quite like sluggers, Randy Johnson’s ’98 Score debut is among the set’s more expensive gems. The Big Unit would have a true breakout season in ’98, winning the Cy Young while posting a 2.28 ERA and leading the NL with 298 strikeouts. High-end PSA 10 Johnson rookies have sold for over $1800. Copies in the PSA 8-9 range still demand $400-800. Between his five Cy Youngs, 300 career wins, otherworldly prime years with Seattle and Arizona, and his towering 6’10 frame, Randy Johnson was simply a one of one talent. That uniqueness leads to lasting interest in his ’98 Score rookie card among collectors.
Other notables from the ’98 Score set that can demand significant money include Chipper Jones, who was already an established star by ’98 but his high-grade rookie sells for $500-800. Tom Glavine, who like Chipper played over 2 decades in the bigs, as his ’98 Score rookie in solid condition fetches $300-500. Cubs catcher Todd Hundley, who made the All-Star team in 1998, has a PSA 10 that sold for over $900 recently. Mark Teixeira’s rookie, as he was one of the most hyped prospects ever at the time, in high grades commands $400-600. And Red Sox’s sensation Nomar Garciaparra, fresh off a batting title in ’98, has his rookie listed between $300-500 as well.
While the printing numbers may have been higher in 1998 than in decades prior, top condition examples of stars from the ’98 Score set have proven to retain immense collector demand decades later. Whether its due to sustained careers of excellence, iconic single seasons, or cultural nostalgia, Griffey Jr., A-Rod, Sosa, McGwire, Johnson and others depicted give investors a fun way to speculate on the futures of players just breaking in during baseball’s renaissance period of the late 90s. True first year cards like rookies are always desirable, but the enduring legacies and epic seasons of players showcased make 1998 Score baseball cards a true benchmark release from the modern era.
