The 1999 Bowman baseball card set holds significant nostalgia and value for collectors from that era. Bowman was the premier brand for young prospects just starting their careers in Major League Baseball. While some cards from the 1999 set have maintained steady value over the decades, a select few feature players who went on to have Hall of Fame careers and now command premium prices. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable rookies and prospects featured in the 1999 Bowman set.
One of the true heavyweights from the 1999 Bowman set is the Chipper Jones rookie card. As the #1 overall pick in the 1990 MLB draft by the Atlanta Braves, Jones went on to have a 19 year career, entirely with the Braves, that will likely land him in the Hall of Fame. Jones was an 8-time All-Star, an NL MVP in 1999, and helped the Braves win the 1995 World Series. His defensive versatility and consistent hitting made him one of the best third basemen in MLB history. Not surprisingly, Jones’ rookie card from Bowman in 1999 has appreciated significantly over time. Near mint to mint condition copies in a PSA or BGS slab routinely sell for $500-1000 now. Even well-worn, played copies in no worse than Poor condition have sold for over $100 in recent years. With Jones’ recent retirement and Hall of Fame case, this card stands to climb even higher for serious Atlanta Braves and baseball memorabilia collectors.
Staying within the Braves organization, another extremely valuable 1999 Bowman rookie is Andruw Jones. While not related to Chipper, Andruw had a sterling career primarily in an Atlanta uniform that should see him enshrined in Cooperstown one day as well. Regarded as one of the best defensive center fielders ever, Jones was a 10-time Gold Glover who smashed 384 career home runs and made 5 All-Star teams. His rookie card from Bowman portrays him at an early stage with promise but without the muscles and formidable power bat he would develop. High grade Andruw Jones rookies in PSA 9 or BGS 9.5 condition have sold for $300-600. Even well-centered, sharp copies in worst case PSA 7 condition have moved for $100 online. With each passing year, as Jones’ case for the Hall waxes stronger, his formidable rookie card stands to appreciate handsomely as well for dedicated Braves PC collectors.
Shifting to the American League, another truly elite talent featured as a rookie in 1999 Bowman was Derek Jeter. Perhaps no player is more synonymous with the late 90s-00s Yankees dynasty than their legendary shortstop Captain Derek Jeter. Winning 5 World Series, making 14 All-Star teams, and achieving over 3,000 career hits, Jeter was the ultimate winner and leader for the Bronx Bombers. His rookie card, showing him in the classic early pinstripes Yankees uniform, is undeniably iconic for collectors of this era. In pristine PSA 10 or BGS Black Label 10 condition, Jeter’s rookie has sold for as much as $25,000 in recent auction results. But demand remains extremely high even for well-centered copies in PSA 8 or BGS 9 condition, which have traded hands for $1000-2000. Even heavily played examples in PSA 5 condition can still pull $100. With Jeter now a first-ballot Hall of Famer, his 1999 Bowman RC is quite possibly the most collectible and blue-chip card from the entire set.
While not reaching the heights of the aforementioned superstars, several other 1999 Bowman rookies have maintained significant long-term value based on the players’ sustained MLB success. For example, Alfonso Soriano’s explosive career, which included 2 batting titles, an AL stolen base record, and a .280 career average makes his rookie a desirable find. Higher grades in the PSA 8-9 range have sold between $100-250. Another solid find is the Pudge Rodriguez rookie, as the longtime Cubs, Marlins, and Tigers backstop was arguably the greatest defensive catcher ever. His rookie moves regularly for $75-150 in top condition. Looking overseas, superstar Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka made his first US baseball card appearance in 1999 Bowman as well. Even though his MLB tenure was brief, his rookie remains a hot commodity for Japan baseball enthusiasts, fetching $50-100 in top grades.
While the headliners naturally demand the biggest prices, diligent collectors should also check their 1999 Bowman collections for lesser known prospects who panned out like San Francisco Giants 3B J.T. Snow, Chicago Cubs P Carlos Zambrano, and Atlanta Braves P John Smoltz. Even players like Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Giambi who had incredible 90s peaks but post-career struggles still maintain $20-50 value in their rookie cards. And for set builders, a complete ungraded 1999 Bowman base set can be acquired for $100-200 depending on centering and condition of the keys.
The 1999 Bowman baseball release was a veritable who’s who of future MLB stars, and the rookie cards of Chipper and Andruw Jones, Derek Jeter, and Pudge Rodriguez continue to hold immense nostalgia and investment potential decades later. But digging deeper reveals values and collecting opportunities throughout the set for savvy investors and fans of teams like the Braves, Yankees and others from baseball’s golden era of the late 90s and early 2000s. As the years pass and induction ceremonies are held in Cooperstown, prices are likely to stay strong or appreciate further for the true elite talents like Jones and Jeter who cemented legendary careers.
