The 1992 Topps baseball card set was one of the most iconic releases of the 1990s. While not quite as valuable as some previous years, the ’92 Topps set still contained several highly sought after rookie cards and stars of the era. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the best cards collectors searched for in packs that year.
Perhaps the most well-known rookie card from the set is Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Roberto Alomar. Alomar would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and was a 12-time All-Star while winning 10 Gold Glove awards. His rookie card showed him in a Blue Jays uniform and had a photo from his 1991 rookie season where he batted .266 with 12 home runs and 54 RBI. This card has held value well over the years given Alomar’s stellar career. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples currently sell for $300-500.
Another top rookie to pull was Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tom Browning. Browning won the NL Rookie of the Year award in 1988 after going 16-8 with a 2.69 ERA. His ’92 Topps rookie card featured a photo from his breakout season. Browning had a solid career but didn’t become a superstar. Still, his rookie remains a key piece for Reds collectors. High grade copies in the $75-150 range.
Two other notable rookie cards found in ’92 Topps packs were Oakland Athletics righty Dennis Eckersley and Atlanta Braves first baseman David Justice. Eckersley would reinvent himself as a Hall of Fame closer later in his career, saving 390 games overall. His rookie card showed promise of what was to come. Justice was a two-time All-Star and key member of the Braves 1990s dynasty. Both of these rookies hold value in the $50-100 range based on grade.
Of course, no baseball card set is complete without inclusion of the game’s biggest stars. One of the most iconic ’92 Topps cards was that of Chicago Cubs slugger Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg was a perennial All-Star and won the 1984 NL MVP. His sharp-looking card featured an action photo of the second baseman turning a double play. In high grades, it can reach $150-250 given Sandberg’s status.
Another legendary player highly sought after in the ’92 set was Atlanta Braves first baseman and 14-time All-Star Chipper Jones. His card showed him as a promising young player for the Braves. Little did collectors know he’d have a Hall of Fame career primarily with Atlanta. High grade Jones rookies sell for $75-150 depending on condition.
Sticking with the Braves, their dominant pitching staff of the early 90s was led by three-time Cy Young winner Greg Maddux. His ’92 Topps card depicted “Mad Dog” in his Chicago Cubs uniform before joining Atlanta. Widely considered one of the best pitchers ever, a PSA 10 of Maddux’s ’92 card exceeds $500. Even well-centered raw copies sell for $100-200.
Two other aces that could be pulled were Toronto’s Jack Morris and Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley. Morris won 254 games in his career and was the MVP of the 1991 World Series for the Twins. Eckersley reinvented himself as a Hall of Fame closer at this point. Both high-end cards can reach $150-300 depending on year.
Of course, no discussion of ’92 Topps is complete without mentioning the great Ken Griffey Jr. Griffey was already a two-time All-Star and one of baseball’s brightest young talents. His card showed him in a Mariners uniform ready to take off. Even in lower grades, a Griffey Jr. from this set sells for $50-100 due to his iconic career and popularity.
In terms of value, one of the true blue chip cards from the set remains Atlanta Braves star David Justice. Justice was a two-time All-Star and key member of their 1990s dynasty. His rookie card depicted him as one of the game’s rising talents. PSA 10 examples now sell for $400-600 online due to strong long-term demand.
While players like Alomar, Maddux, and Griffey Jr. received most of the hype upon the set’s release, one rookie who turned out to be a true gem was Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jay Bell. Bell went on to bat .265 over 16 seasons, making two All-Star teams for the Pirates and Diamondbacks. High-grade versions of his rookie card reach $150-250.
While production numbers and overall set value may not match the sport’s golden era, 1992 Topps remained one of the most iconic releases that showcased future Hall of Famers and stars of the 1990s. Keys like Alomar, Maddux, Griffey Jr. and rookies of Eckersley, Justice, and Bell made it highly sought after. For collectors three decades later, it remains a fun set to rebuild or hold onto valuable vintage cardboard.
