The 1993 Upper Deck Triple Play baseball card set was one of the most highly anticipated and sought after card releases of the 1990s. It featured 543 total cards split into two series and introduced innovative technology and design elements that helped elevate the hobby. The set capitalized on the peak of the trading card boom of the early 1990s and is still fondly remembered by many collectors today.
Upper Deck had revolutionized the baseball card industry when they entered the market in 1989. Their premium card stock, sharp photography, and attention to detail quickly made them the premier brand. The company had huge success with their flagship set in 1992 and wanted to top it. The concept for Triple Play was to feature three relevant stats for each player on their card. This included their batting average, home runs, and RBI from the previous season. There had been dual stat cards before but never three stats on one.
The photography and borders for Triple Play also broke new ground. Cards had a blue faded gradient background behind the action shot of the player. The three stats were overlaid on top in a box with rounded corners. Glossy foil was used for numbering, names, and logos. It gave the set a very modern and stylish visual appeal. Perhaps most impressively, the stats were actually taken from dot matrix printouts and scanned directly onto the cards. This added an authentic retro electronic vibe years before retro was cool.
Series one of Triple Play was released in June 1993 and featured 277 cards covering the American League. It started at the same $2.49 per pack price point of the 1992 set. Despite a recession, the cards were in high demand. The excitement was palpable as fans ripped packs hoping for stars or short printed parallels. Rookies like Ken Griffey Jr, Brady Anderson, and Frank Thomas were hotly pursued. Veteran stars like Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken Jr, and Kirby Puckett anchored team sets.
The short prints and parallel inserts really drove collectors crazy. The base Chrome Refractors were a 1:300 ratio to regular cards. Even rarer were the Laser Proof parallels at 1:700 packs. Ultra-rare Gold parallels also emerged and fetched high prices. The insert Chase cards showed a checklist of upcoming short prints fans had to track down. Due to the popularity, series one had its print run sold through very quickly.
Needing to meet demand, Upper Deck rushed Series Two into production for an August release. It covered the National League with 266 additional player cards. Many were disappointed it did not feature a new design or parallel sets. The same exciting hunt was on to complete rosters and find scarce variations. Rookies like Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell, and Dwight Gooden took the collector world by storm. Veterans like Barry Bonds, Tom Glavine, and Greg Maddux were still highly desirable as well.
With both series now available, the true chase was on to assemble full team and player sets. This involved countless trades at schoolyards, card shows, and hobby shops nationwide. The feedback on Upper Deck forums was that 1993 Triple Play was their most intricate and well-made set yet. Beckett magazine racked up page after page with value guides and accessory checklists to help collectors. By the end of 1993, Triple Play was regarded as the pinnacle baseball card set of the early 90s trading card boom.
In the following years, the longevity and collecting demand for Triple Play only continued to rise. As the players featured had productive careers, their rookie and star cards retained value. The inserts and parallel short prints also gained notoriety as among the most coveted and expensive vintage cards available. Beckett prices reflected this as guides consistently increased values year over year. To this day, a high grade Ken Griffey Jr. or Frank Thomas rookie can sell for thousands. Complete team sets also still fetch four-figure prices.
The artistic design, technology, photography and collectability of 1993 Upper Deck Triple Play is why it remains one of the most significant baseball card releases of all-time. It epitomized the hysteria surrounding the 1990s trading card boom but proved to have staying power far beyond its time period. The set lives on as a touchstone release that baseball card enthusiasts still aspire to complete decades later. Whether collecting for enjoyment or investment, 1993 Triple Play endures as one of the true classics of the hobby.
