The year 1999 saw the rise of many future Hall of Fame baseball players and the dominance of legendary stars. These talented athletes who graced the diamond during the late 90s and early 2000s are immortalized on some of the hobby’s most coveted and expensive trading cards from that era. While factors like condition, serial numbers, and autographs can influence card values, these 10 stand out as the undisputed prizes of any 1999 baseball card collection.
At the top of the list is none other than Ken Griffey Jr., regarded by many as the best all-around player of the 1990s. Griffey’s rookie card from 1989 tops most want lists for baseball collectors, but his stunning performance in 1999 yields one of the most desirable modern rookie cards – the Upper Deck SP Autographics #149. Only numbered to /499 copies, Griffey’s autographed card routinely fetches upwards of $10,000 in mint condition. Another coveted Griffey is the Ultra #107, featuring a dazzling photograph of “The Kid” leaping for a catch. Serial numbered versions command over $5,000.
Also from the Upper Deck SP Autographics set is #130, depicting Nomar Garciapara at the height of his powers with the Boston Red Sox. The talented young shortstop was coming off back-to-back 200-hit seasons and appeared primed to be the game’s next superstar until injuries derailed his career. His autographed rookie net upwards of $4,000 in pristine shape. Fellow Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez also has an extremely valuable 1999 rookie in the Ultra #206, which often trades hands for $3,000-$5,000 depending on condition.
Two monster home run hitters, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, captivated the country in 1998 with their epic chase of Roger Maris’ single season home run record. While injuries limited “Big Mac” in 1999, his autograph rookie from Bowman’s Best #BMB10 still attracts bids near $3,000. Sosa continued mashing prodigious home runs in ’99 and his Ultimate #207 rookie has surged past $2,500 for immaculate examples. Chipper Jones, enjoying the first of his many All-Star seasons, has a desirable 1999 rookie in Bowman’s Best #BB26 north of $2,000.
Pitching prospects dominate the middle of the most valuable 1999 baseball cards list. Two coveted Dodgers rookies, pitching phenomenon Eric Gagne from Finest #106 and flamethrower Paul Lo Duca from Chrome #74, consistently hit the $2,000 mark. Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s dynamic duo of Steve Parris and Denny Neagle, destined to lead the Reds rotation for years, have desirable rookies in Ultra #209 and #219 respectively around the $1,500 price point.
Rookies aren’t the only commodity though – superstars in the prime of their careers carry ultra-premium cards as well. Perhaps no other athlete symbolized the late 90s home run era quite like Mark McGwire. His stunning Tour EX #4 from 1999, depicting Big Mac towering over a monster home run with the scoreboard in the background, moves between serious collectors for $2,000-$2,500 in pristine condition. Fellow slugger Ken Griffey Jr., even when injured in ’99, retains immense popularity evidenced by rare parallel versions of his Finest #85 etching out $2,000 with consistency.
The 1990s produced few shortstops more talented than Nomar Garciaparra, and his spectacular performances in Boston make any of his earlier cards big tickets. His spectacular 1999 Finest #47 with dazzling photo and serial numbered to /250 copies consistently hits four-figures. Manny Being Manny – Ramirez struck fear into pitchers for over a decade and one of his best early cards stems from 1999 Finest #78 at $1,000-plus for top-graded specimens. A pair of icons rounding out the list, Chipper Jones 1999 Bowman’s Best autograph #BBA45 and Pedro Martinez’s terrific Finest #124, regularly surpass $1,000 each.
The elite talent and awesome performances showcased in Major League Baseball throughout 1999 give rise to a revered collection of the most valuable modern-era trading cards. Ken Griffey Jr. and Nomar Garciaparra rookie autographed parallels from Ultra and Finest set the pace at over $5,000 apiece. Rookie gems of Manny Ramirez, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Chipper Jones and others top $2,000. Superstar cards like McGwire’s incredible 1999 Tour and select parallels of Griffey and Garciaparra hold their worth near two grand as well. And autos of stars Jones and Martinez plus high-gloss rookies of Gagne, Lo Duca and Neagle round out a dream 1999 baseball card lineup worth thousands.
