The 1990 O-Pee-Chee baseball card set was produced by O-Pee-Chee, the Canadian subsidiary of Topps, and features players from both the American and National Leagues. The set contains 204 total cards with player photos, biographies and stats on the front and back. While not the most valuable vintage baseball card set, the 1990 O-Pee-Chee cards provide collectors a snapshot of the game from that era and include several stars who were just beginning to emerge. Here is a detailed price guide and overview of some of the top cards from the 1990 O-Pee-Chee set.
The 1990 O-Pee-Chee set included many of the game’s biggest stars from that time such as Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Roberto Alomar. The true stars and most valuable cards from the set are those that feature players who were early in their careers in 1990 and went on to have Hall of Fame caliber careers. For example, the rookie card of Ken Griffey Jr. is one of the key cards from the set. Griffey was already showing signs of greatness in 1990 with 19 home runs as a 20 year old and his card is among the most sought after. In near mint condition, Griffey’s 1990 O-Pee-Chee rookie card can fetch upwards of $150-$200.
Another star just starting his career in 1990 was Frank Thomas, who had a breakout season that year winning the AL Rookie of the Year award. Thomas slugged 31 home runs and drove in 105 runs in his first full season. His 1990 O-Pee-Chee rookie card in near mint condition is valued around $75-$100 currently. Two other young stars with valuable rookie cards from the set are Tom Glavine and David Justice. Glavine, already showing brilliance on the mound in 1990, has a rookie card worth around $50-$75 near mint. Justice, an emerging power hitter for the Braves, has a rookie valued at $30-$50. Both Glavine and Justice went on to have Hall of Fame careers, making their 1990 rookie cards a worthwhile investment.
In addition to rookie cards, the 1990 O-Pee-Chee set contains the last cards featuring legends of the game who were nearing the end of their careers. For example, the Nolan Ryan card has added value since it was one of the final cards issued of the all-time strikeout king before his retirement after the 1993 season. Ryan’s 1990 O-Pee-Chee is priced around $15-25 in near mint condition. Another legend with one of his last mainstream issued cards being in the 1990 O-Pee-Chee set is George Brett. Brett played just one more season in 1992 after 1990. His final mainstream card from this set sells for roughly $10-15. Collectors seek out the last cards featuring all-time greats to commemorate their careers.
The 1990 O-Pee-Chee set also included stars who were entering their primes such as Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Cal Ripken Jr, and Wade Boggs. While not rookies, these players were young and just beginning their ascent up the career leaderboards. Bonds’ monster 2001 season has overshadowed his early career, but he was already an elite player by 1990. His card from that year sells for around $5-10. McGwire’s monster home run seasons were still a few years away, but collectors recognize 1990 as marking his transition into stardom. His card has a value of $3-5. Ripken and Boggs were both established by 1990, but their cards remain popular for collectors at $2-4 each.
While not the most expensive vintage set, the 1990 O-Pee-Chee cards provide a great snapshot of the players and game from that era. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Griffey, Thomas, Glavine and Justice give collectors a chance to own early career cards of legends at affordable prices compared to their more established years. Last career cards of legends like Ryan and Brett are also popular. With stars young and old, the 1990 O-Pee-Chee set offers collectors and investors several worthwhile cardboard opportunities to build a baseball collection.
