The 1990 Upper Deck baseball card set was truly a landmark release that changed the hobby forever and featured several rookie cards and memorable performances that make certain cards highly valuable today. Issued as the sports card giant’s second release after their groundbreaking debut in 1989, the 1990 Upper Deck set showed that their initial success was no fluke by delivering another highly innovative and high quality product that contained many key rookie cards and captured iconic MLB moments.
Among the most valuable rookie cards in the 1990 Upper Deck set is Ken Griffey Jr’s. As arguably the most talented five-tool player of his generation, “The Kid” stole the show in his rookie season with the Seattle Mariners in 1989. Finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting that year with 24 home runs and 61 RBI, Griffey Jr.’s star was quickly on the rise. His rookie card from the 1990 Upper Deck set, featuring him in a Mariners uniform, has become one of the most iconic and desirable baseball cards ever issued. In near-mint to mint condition, examples can fetch thousands of dollars today thanks to Griffey’s legendary career and the card capturing him at the very beginning of his Hall of Fame tenure.
Another highly valuable rookie card is Frank Thomas’ from the Chicago White Sox. Known as “The Big Hurt” for his mammoth home runs, Thomas immediately made an impact in the AL with raves about his pure hitting ability upon his 1991 debut. Captured in his first upper echelon baseball card in 1990 Upper Deck, Thomas’ rookie card represents the start of one of the most prolific careers for a right-handed slugger ever. In pristine condition, it can sell for well over $1000. Like Griffey Jr., the significance of the rookie season along with Thomas’ place among the game’s all-time great hitters drives considerable demand for this card.
Sandy Koufax’s stunning 1965 Upper Deck card that captured his perfect game is undoubtedly one of the set’s crown jewels. The legendary lefty’s perfect game on September 9th, 1965 against the Chicago Cubs instantly etched his name into baseball lore. His dominant performance of retiring all 27 batters he faced without allowing a hit made for one of the defining moments not just of his Hall of Fame career, but in MLB history. Amazingly, this special card from Upper Deck’s 1990 set perfectly memorialized that hallowed outing. In mint or higher grade, examples can sell for over $15,000 due to the significant rarity of the perfect game and Koufax’s legend.
The 1990 Upper Deck set also featured memorable rookie cards outside of Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas. Dodger sensation Mike Piazza had one of the best rookie campaigns ever for a catcher, hitting .318 with 35 doubles and 35 home runs. His card from that year portrays him in a Dodger uniform and helps remember the start of a career that would eventually see him inducted into Cooperstown. In pristine condition, it can exchange hands for well over $500 based on Piazza’s illustrious career and the card coming from the highly coveted 1990 Upper Deck issue.
Another noteworthy rookie is Red Sox flamethrower Roger Clemens. After breaking in with Boston in 1984 and showing immense promise, “The Rocket” exploded in 1986 by going 24-4 with a 2.48 ERA and 238 strikeouts to win the AL Cy Young Award. His dominance would only escalate over the next few seasons as well. His 1990 Upper Deck rookie card portrays the start of one of the most decorated right-handed pitching careers in history. Graded mint or better, it can sell for $300 or more given Clemens’ seven Cy Youngs and place among the game’s all-time great hurlers.
In addition to rookie standouts, the 1990 Upper Deck set also contained significant cards of baseball’s biggest stars and memorable single-game feats. For instance, Nolan Ryan’s card depicting one of his record seven career no-hitters perfectly captures “The Ryan Express” in his prime years with the Angels. Known for his blazing 100 mph heat and propensity for no-nos, this feat stands out. In pristine condition, examples can sell for over $500. Another Houston Astros legend, pitcher Jim Deshaies also had an incredibly rare 1/1 variations card in the set honoring his 1986 20-strikeout performance. In a PSA Gem Mint 10 grade, it could command over $10,000 due to its solely unique status.
Ken Griffey Sr., father of the 1990 rookie sensation, also had an extremely valuable card in the set. It pictures “Senior” in his Cincinnati Reds uniform, but remarkably captured his then-record breaking performance of hitting a home run in 8 consecutive games. Achieved in 1990 just months before the Upper Deck release, this singular feat remains one of baseball’s most untouchable streaks. In mint condition, examples can sell for upwards of $750 based on the rarity of Griffey Sr.’s historic homer binge and how the card memorialized it perfectly.
The 1990 Upper Deck baseball card set broke new ground with its quality, design, and inclusion of myriad valuable rookie cards andsingular MLB accomplishments. Cards like Ken Griffey Jr, Frank Thomas, Sandy Koufax’s perfect game, and moremaintain tremendous demand among collectors for capturing iconic MLB careers at their inception or singular achieved feats. Successfullyfollowing its groundbreaking 1989 debut, Upper Deck’s 1990 release demonstrated they were not a one-hit wonder and helped propel the company to become the sport’s cardinal brand for years after. As one of the key vintage issues, it houses many highly valuable pieces of cardboard history within.
