The 1990 baseball card season produced many highly coveted and valuable rookie cards and singles that are still sought after by collectors today. The 1990 Upper Deck set led the way by being the first ever licensed third party baseball card producer to compete against Topps. Some of the best and most iconic 1990 baseball cards include:

Ken Griffey Jr.: Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie card from 1990 Donruss is arguably the most valuable baseball card of the entire decade. Griffey was already a budding superstar with incredible bat speed and defensive skills in centerfield. His cheerful smile and effortless talent made him an instant fan favorite. The Griffey rookie card has consistently risen in value each year as his Hall of Fame career progressed. PSA 10 graded versions now sell for thousands of dollars.

Frank Thomas: Another rookie card that has continuously appreciated is Frank Thomas’ 1990 Pacific Upper Deck RC. “The Big Hurt” thrived in his debut season, batting .276 with 21 home runs for the White Sox. His easy plus power potential was evident from the start. The Thomas Upper Deck rookie is notably rarer than the Donruss and Fleer versions issued that year. High graded copies have broken the $1000 price point.

Edgar Martinez: Edgar Martinez didn’t receive much fanfare in 1990 compared to Griffey or Thomas, but his Upper Deck rookie card has recently emerged as a gem. Martinez blossomed into a beloved six-time All-Star and one of the best right-handed hitters of his generation for the Seattle Mariners. He has an excellent case for the Hall of Fame, boosting interest in his rookie card which often trades for $500-$800 PSA 10.

Sandy Alomar Jr: The 1990 Leaf featured several Indians rookies that have aged well like Sandy Alomar Jr. Alomar beat out youthful flair like Jeffrey Leonard and Todd Zeile to win American League Rookie of the Year honors. His defensive prowess behind the plate made him a mainstay for over a decade. Well preserved Alomar Leaf rookies can fetch $200-$300 without grading.

Mark McGwire: Big Mac’s muscular physique and towering home runs were already on full display in 1990. His Topps and Score rookie cards are very plentiful and low value commons, but the 1990 Upper Deck McGwire RC stands out. The cartoonish image is fun and his career took off not long after, leading to consistent $100 price tags for PSA 10 examples.

Chipper Jones: Heralded as one of the best prospect call-ups of 1990, Chipper Jones won the National League Rookie of the Year playing third base for the Atlanta Braves. The soft-swinging lefty developed explosive power and a Hall of Fame resume over the next two decades. His impressive Donruss RC sells for $150 raw and more like $400 graded.

Gregg Jefferies: Considered the premier prospect in baseball in 1990, Gregg Jefferies impressed in his initial Mets stint. While injuries derailed his career trajectory, the Jefferies rookie cards from Score, Ultra, and Leaf sets remain quite collectible from this era. PSA 10 Jefferies rookies can cross $300.

Bobby Bonilla: An established slugger by 1990, Bobby Bonilla put together one of his best seasons batting .302 with 28 HR and 103 RBI for the Pirates. His Fleer Update and Studio cards highlight this breakout campaign. High quality Bonilla ’90 cardboard has gained $100-200 in worth in recent years.

Andy Benes: One of the most epic complete sets from 1990 was Fleer’s Andy Benes 13-card rookie subset. Benes tossed a no-hitter in his September call-up and showed promise for the Cardinals. Condition sensitive, choice Benes rookies can reach $250 in PSA 10.

Duke Snider: Topps’ flagship set finally inducted Dodger legend Duke Snider in 1990 after years of eligibility. Snider smashedsig hitting .295 lifetime with 407 homers. This iconic induction card remains a treasured vintage issue, averaging $75-150 in top grades.

Ken Caminiti: Few rookie seasons rivaled Ken Caminiti’s breakout 1990 season which saw him bat .272 with 18 HR as a third baseman for the Astros. His Donruss RC pops up often at low cost but graded versions are steadily climbing to the $150-250 range.

1990 was arguably the peak year of the junk wax era for baseball cards, producing enormous print runs that kept costs low. Certain cards from sets like Upper Deck, Leaf, and Pinnacle maintained premium status. While 1991 rookie sensations like Chipper Jones and Gary Sheffield get more attention, savvy collectors know 1990 housed many future Hall of Famers who are still rewarding long-term investments today. The combination of stars, prospects, and vintage legends made 1990 a truly memorable season for the cardboard industry.