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1989 SCORE SUPERSTAR BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1989 Upper Deck and Score baseball card sets were two of the most highly anticipated releases of the late 1980s. Coming on the heels of Donruss and Topps’ widely popular sets in 1988, collectors were eager to see what innovations Upper Deck and Score would bring with their flagship ’89 offerings. Both companies delivered iconic sets that featured unique designs, sharp photography, and some of the game’s biggest stars and rising young players.

Score took collector excitement to new heights with the introduction of their ‘Superstar’ parallel subset. Featuring enlarged photographs and a stylized color scheme on a silver base, these parallel cards spotlighted the true elite talents in the league. A who’s who of future Hall of Famers and perennial All-Stars comprised the ’89 Superstars checklist, with names like Wade Boggs, Kirby Puckett, Dennis Eckersley, and Tony Gwynn among those selected.

What made these Superstars so desirable was not just the star power of the players, but the aesthetics of the inserts themselves. The oversized image completely covered the front of the card from edge to edge. This allowed for crisper, higher quality photographs with no distractions around the perimeter. And unlike standard inserts of the time which were often on a white base, Score utilized a shiny silver make these parallels instantly recognizable.

Chief among the desirable ’89 Score Superstars was the Kirby Puckett card. As the fresh-faced young star of the Minnesota Twins beginning to emerge on the national scene, Puckett was becoming a fan favorite for his all-out style of play. His Superstar card featured a tight headshot of Kirby flashing his signature toothy grin, exemplifying his affable personality. With its dynamic lighting and captivating subject, this Puckett parallel became one of the most coveted and valuable rookie cards of the late 80s/early 90s boom.

Another immensely popular ’89 Superstar was the Wade Boggs parallel. As the hitting machine for the Boston Red Sox, Boggs was in his prime at age 31 in 1988-89. His rock steady consistency at the plate and immaculate batting stance made him the consummate professional hitter. On his Score Superstar, Boggs is captured in the on deck circle preparing for his at bat with his trademark concentration. This card captured perhaps the best player of his era and his laser-like focus, defining him as the ultimate “Superstar.”

Still other big name Superstars from the ’89 Score set include the Rocket Roger Clemens, slugging first baseman Mark McGwire, smooth fielding shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., and Hall of Fame closer Dennis Eckersley. Each parallel spotlighted these elite talents with sharp photos that allowed their skills and personalities to shine through for collectors. The diversity of positions and eras also made completing the full rainbow foil Superstar subset a challenging and rewarding quest for most collectors.

While Upper Deck is often heralded as revolutionizing the baseball card industry in the late 80s/early 90s, Score cannot be overlooked for the innovations they brought as well. Between the enlarged “Superstar” images, the foil rainbow parallels, and the all-star checklist, the 1989 Score set helped elevate insert sets to new heights of desirability. Cards like the Puckett and Boggs remain very valuable to this day, frequently grading and selling for hundreds or even thousands of dollars in top condition due to their iconic photos and limited print runs.

For the devoted collectors of the late 80s and 90s boom, completing the ’89 Score Superstar rainbow held a special prestige. It represented owning cards of the very best to ever play, captured in unique parallel designs before anyone knew how their careers might pan out. Even for today’s collectors just getting introduced to the hobby, these oversized parallels maintain their appeal for the star power and artistic excellence on display. After more than 30 years, the 1989 Score Superstars continue to be remembered as pioneering insert sets that helped drive collector excitement to new levels. Their designs may now be retro, but the all-star talent featured ensure these parallels retain their status as some of the most coveted and valuable cards from the height of the boom.

1991 SCORE BASEBALL CARDS DREAM TEAM

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The 1991 Score baseball card set was unique in that it featured fantasy teams comprised of players from across different eras meant to represent the ultimate dream teams. Among these fantasized lineups was the “1991 Score Baseball Cards Dream Team”. Unlike modern all-star teams and awards that focus heavily on stats from just one recent season, this dream team selection took a broader historical perspective to assemble the best possible roster regardless of era.

Assembling the perfect baseball team across all of history is, of course, subjective with many legitimate ways to approach player evaluation and position choices. The editors at Score put thought into a variety of factors like peak performance, career stats, hardware earned like MVP awards and championships, advanced metrics before they were widely used, iconic status, and other less tangible attributes like leadership. The end result was a star-studded starting lineup and pitching rotation with many of the most acclaimed names in baseball history represented.

Behind the plate, they opted for Yankee legend Yogi Berra as the catcher. In a career from 1946 to 1965 largely spent in pinstripes, Berra was a legendary leader and winner with an impressive 10 World Series championships. Offensively, he hit .285 lifetime while leading the league in doubles twice. Defensively, he gunned down over 30% of base stealers.

At first base was the incomparable Lou Gehrig. From 1923 until his retirement in 1939 at age 36 due to ALS, “The Iron Horse” delivered Hall of Fame feats for the Yankees like a .340 career average, 493 home runs, lifetime walks/strikeouts of 1.275, two AL MVPs and six World Series rings in his 17 seasons. He holds the record for most grand slams (23) and once played in 2,130 straight games, a record that still stands today.

At second base was legendary leadoff hitter Joe Morgan. An offensive focal point of the Big Red Machine Cincinnati Reds of the 1970s, Morgan won back-to-back MVP awards in 1975-76 and led the NL in OBP four times. He was a five-time All-Star known for patience, power, and speed with a slash line of .271/.392/.433 in his career from 1963 to 1984 spent mostly with the Reds and Astros.

At shortstop was the classy and productive Cal Ripken Jr. who played his entire 21-year career for the Baltimore Orioles from 1981 to 2001. Ripken tallied 3,184 career hits while redefining durability and work ethic by playing in 2,632 straight games, breaking Lou Gehrig’s record. He won two MVPs and helped the O’s to a World Series title in 1983 while boasting a .276 average and 431 home runs at the position until retirement.

Rounding out the infield at third base was the transcendent Mike Schmidt. From 1972 to 1989 with the Philadelphia Phillies, “Schmidt hit 548 career home runs primarily as a third baseman, still the most all time by a primary third baseman. He won an unprecedented three NL MVP awards and was a 12-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner who led the league in home runs eight times and RBI four times while hitting .267 for his great Hall of Fame career.

In the outfield, taking up centerfield for the dream team was Willie Mays. From 1951 through 1973, primarily with the New York and San Francisco Giants, Mays thrilled fans with electrifying plays and a .302 average. Nicknamed “The Say Hey Kid”, he amassed 660 career home runs and 338 stolen bases while winning two MVPs and helping lead the Giants to several pennants and the 1954 World Series title. He’s regarded by many as the best all-around player in baseball history for his five tool play.

In left field, a spot was reserved for Ted Williams. From 1939 to 1960 spent mostly with the Boston Red Sox, Williams hit a career .344 average which is the highest of all time for a qualifying player in the post-19th century era. He also blasted 521 home runs and had a staggering 1.716 OPS in his Hall of Fame career. Williams won two Triple Crowns and was a 19-time All-Star, two-time batting champion, and AL MVP who impressively hit .406 in 1941, the last player to bat over .400 for a season.

In right field was the great Babe Ruth. From 1914 to 1935 with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, “the Bambino” redefined what was possible for a slugger by hitting 714 career home runs, a total that stood as the all-time record for 38 years until Hank Aaron broke it. Offensively, Ruth had a career .349 OBP and .690 SLG en route to blasting 60 homers in a season three times. On the mound early in his career, he also went 94-46 as a pitcher and helped the Red Sox to two World Series titles.

On the mound, as the ace of the pitching staff was Walter Johnson. From 1907 to 1927 primarily with the Washington Senators, “The Big Train” won 417 games against only 279 losses with a career ERA of 2.17. He led the AL in ERA 11 times, strikeouts 12 seasons and posted a record 110 shutouts over his Hall of Fame career spent entirely in D.C. His longevity and dominance at throwing his legendary “smokeball” fastball earned him a spot among the top pitchers in history.

Next in the rotation was Lefty Grove, who from 1925 to 1941 amassed 300 wins while primarily pitching for the Philadelphia A’s and Red Sox. He struck out nearly 2,500 batters and from 1929-33 when he won four ERA titles and two pitching Triple Crowns, Grove emerged as the first true superstar southpaw. He led the AL in shutouts six times and still holds the single season record for lowest opponent batting average of .178 in 1931.

Rounding out the rotation at number three was Sandy Koufax, whose brilliant peak from 1961-1966 with the Los Angeles Dodgers was arguably unmatched. In that span, he won three Cy Youngs and one MVP while leading the NL in wins four times and strikeouts five times. Among those incredible seasons, in 1966 he became the first pitcher ever to twirl four no-hitters. Across his 12-year career he went 165-87 with a 2.76 ERA and struck out 2,396 batters including a record four in a World Series game.

In the bullpen, the closer role went to Mariano Rivera who from 1995 through 2013 spent his entire Hall of Fame career with the New York Yankees. Over that span, he notched 652 saves to set the all-time career saves record while maintaining a preposterous 2.21 ERA and 0.992 WHIP. Rivera pioneered the closer role and became perhaps the most reliable ninth inning man in baseball history with an iconic cutter that provided repeated clutch late-inning heroics.

Meanwhile, the setup man job belonged to Rollie Fingers. From 1968 to 1985, he emerged as a standout reliever for several franchises including the A’s with whom he won the World Series in 1972 and 1974. Fingers racked up 341 career saves at a 2.90 ERA out of the bullpen and won the AL MVP in 1981 to recognize his elite conversion rate as a premier setup ace. His distinctive sidearm delivery produced with pinpoint control made him highly effective in high leverage situations.

This star-studded collection of talent would have been virtually impossible to beat across eras. But assembling these types of hypothetical squads requires creative consideration of diverse factors, and reasonable people may disagree on alternative selections or arrangements. Still, the editors at Score crafted a convincing Dream Team starting nine and pitching staff that leveraged the best attributes and performances found throughout baseball’s illustrious history up until that point in a fun conceptual exercise that pushed fans to contemplate new ways of evaluating the game’s greatest stars.

1989 SCORE BASEBALL CARDS WORTH

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The 1989 Score baseball card set was a significant release that featured many Hall of Famers and stars from that era. While it may not be one of the most valuable sets overall, there are several key cards that collectors seek out and command premium prices today. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top cards from the 1989 Score baseball card lineup and what they are worth in the today’s market.

One of the most coveted rookie cards from the 1980s is the Ken Griffey Jr. card found in the 1989 Score set. Widely considered one of the best players of his generation, Griffey was just starting to break out in 1989 as a 19-year-old with the Seattle Mariners. His smooth left-handed swing and athletic defensive skills in center field made him a fan favorite. In top graded gem mint condition, Griffey’s rookie now easily commands over $1,000. Even inlower graded near mint to mint condition, it still fetches $200-500 based on recent auction sales. The Griffey rookie is the undoubted crown jewel of the 1989 Score set in terms of value.

Another hugely valuable rookie from 1989 Score is the Barry Bonds card. As one of the greatest power hitters and all-around players ever, Bonds was just starting his storied career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His rookie card prices are driven up by his elite abilities combined with the limited print run of Score cards compared to other sets from that era like Topps and Donruss. A PSA 10 grade gem mint Bonds rookie can sell for $3,000 or more while a lower PSA 8 grade still brings in several hundred dollars. If the condition is right, this card is definitely a key one for collectors seek out in the 1989 Score set.

Moving beyond the rookies, the standout Hall of Fame and star player cards from 1989 Score hold value as well. A mint condition Kirby Puckett card usually sells in the $100-200 range given his popularity and success as a six-time All-Star for the Minnesota Twins. The Nolan Ryan Express card, showing the legend pitching for the Texas Rangers at age 42 also fetches $100-200 due to his iconic status. The Ozzie Smith backflip card, highlighting his outstanding defense at shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals, is a fan favorite that sells for $75-150. The Ricky Henderson base card, known for his baserunning prowess with the Oakland A’s, can sell for $50-100 depending on condition.

There are also some unique parallel and insert cards from 1989 Score that add value. The Frank Thomas Foil Focus parallel card, which has an iridescent foil treatment, typically sells for $30-50. The Walter “Sweet Swingin'” Johnson Legacy insert, honoring one of the early Negro League stars, sells for $50-100. The Nolan Ryan 1989 Score Season Highlights insert focusing on his record 7th career no-hitter sells for around $75-125. These special parallel and insert cards connected to star players are ones that keen collectors target in the 1989 Score set beyond the base rookie cards.

In terms of team subsets, there are a few that stand out more than others from a value perspective today. The Brooklyn Dodgers team cards featuring icons like Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider sell for $25-50 each depending on the player featured. The Montreal Expos team cards can sell for similar $20-40 range since they had such talented young players like Tim Raines, Andre Dawson and Bryn Smith starting to emerge. The Chicago Cubs team cards focused on youngsters like Greg Maddux, Shawon Dunston and Ryne Sandberg tend to sell in the $15-30 range as well. These complete team cards add depth to a collector’s 1989 Score baseball card set.

While the 1989 Score set as a whole may not be considered the most valuable release, it certainly contains some true gems in the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds that can sell for thousands in top grade. Additional stars like Kirby Puckett and Nolan Ryan along with unique inserts also provide collectable cards that hold value today. For dedicated collectors of 1980s and early 90s basketball cards, hunting key cards from the 1989 Score lineup is definitely worth the effort. Staying vigilant at card shows or combing through auction sites can unearth these valuable cards that make the set worth exploring over 30 years later.

MOST VALUABLE SCORE 1989 BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1989 baseball card season celebrated another year in America’s pastime and featured the sports’ biggest stars on cardboard. While ’89 may not have had legendary rookie cards like 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle or 1975 Topps Gary Carter, it featured future hall of famers in their prime and chase cards that have grown in prestige. Let’s take a look at the most valuable 1989 baseball cards that fetch top dollar from collectors today due to their scarcity, condition, and significance in the hobby’s history.

Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck RC (Rookie Card): Widely considered the crown jewel of the 1989 Upper Deck set and one of the most iconic rookie cards of all time, the Griffey Jr. Upper Deck RC is the undisputed king of ’89 cards. Junior was a phenom in his debut season with the Mariners in ’89 and his explosiveness captured the attention of the baseball world. Thanks to his joy for the game and prolific Hall of Fame career, Griffey was the perfect player to lead a new era. In a PSA 10 GEM MT grade, his Upper Deck RC now sells for over $10,000 raw, with some specimen condition examples surpassing $30,000. Even well-centered PSA 9 copies bring anywhere from $3,000-$5,000. The Griffey UD RC is simply one of the investment heavyweights of the collecting hobby.

Barry Bonds Score RC: As one of the most dominant players of the 1990s, Barry Bonds’s superstar powers were evident right from his first at-bat. His 1989 Score rookie card has become a chase card in its own right and its rarity gives it top-tier status. In pristine PSA 10 condition the Bonds Score RC has sold upwards of $4,000 while gem mint 9s typically sell in the ballpark of $1,500-2,000. Bonds’s combination of otherworldly skills at the plate and controversy in his later career have elevated this card’s popularity with collectors in recent decades.

Ken Griffey Jr. Leaf RC: While not as iconic or recognizable as his Upper Deck rookie, Griffey’s first Leaf issue card from ’89 holds significant scarcity and collectability. Leaf had a much smaller print run compared to the major brands and Griffey was one of their prized pulls. Pristine PSA 10 examples recently sold for over $2,000 with PSA 9s in the $500-$1,000 range. It serves as an impressive alternative to his flagship rookie for those who can’t afford the Ultra-expensive Upper Deck issue.

Roger Clemens Mother’s Cookies SP: Always a chase card for Red Sox fans wanting a piece of the Rocket in vintage gear, Clemens’ Mother’s Cookies special parallel from 1989 remains a hot commodity. Printed on pink-colored cardboard stock with a photo of Clemens’ family from a Mother’s Cookies box insert, these were extremely limited. Top graded specimens in PSA 9-10 condition have sold for $800-1200 but even well-centered raw examples in average condition have moved for $300-600 based on their rarity and nostalgia factor alone.

Barry Larkin Score SP: One of the standout stars from the beloved Cincinnati Reds Big Red Machine era of the 1970s, Barry Larkin brought excitement back to Riverfront Stadium when he debuted in 1986. His 1989 Score Special Parallel holds cachet as one of Larkin’s earliest Redleg cards and features beautiful action photography offset against a fluorescent yellow backdrop. Top graded specimens in PSA 10 have sold for $700-1000 and even gem mint 9 copies achieve $300-500 due to their beautiful aesthetic and challenging pull rates straight from packs.

Roberto Alomar Rookie Ticket Patch: While not quite his true rookie card debut, Alomar’s 1989 Fleer Rookie Ticket Patch parallel occupies a special place in card collecting history as the forerunner for memorabilia cards we see today. Featuring a piece of his game-worn jersey embedded into the cardboard, these were incredibly scarce pulls back in ’89. In top PSA 9-10 condition patches have exceeded $1,500 with demand only growing as baseball cards merge with sports collectibles. Well-centered raw copies still achieve $300-600.

Donruss Darryl Strawberry SP: Still one of the most feared sluggers of the 1980s, Darryl Strawberry’s smooth left-handed swing captured fans nationwide during his playing career. His 1989 Donruss Special Parallel is a true chase card thanks to its dazzling fluorescent photo and the brand’s exclusive distribution. PSA 10 examples have topped $800 with PSA 9 copies bringing $300. Even well-centered raw versions in average condition see $150-350 based on Strawberry’s stature alone. For some, it’s the pinnacle card of the underrated Donruss set design.

Fleer Update Don Mattingly: While Ken Griffey Jr. may have been the star attraction of 1989, veteran slugger Don Mattingly remained a fan favorite of the late 80s collecting boom as captain of the Bronx Bombers. His dramatic action shot from Fleer’s Update series stands out as one of his most popular vintage cards. PSA 10 condition rareties have sold upwards of $600 but even mint 9s hold $200-400 due to Mattingly’s enduring popularity. It’s another chase card for old school Yankees collectors and 1980s card investors.

Roger Clemens Playball: The ultra-premium Playball brand was a hobby pioneer for its low print runs and high-end photography back in the late 80s/early 90s explosion. Clemens’ dual action image was one of the tough pull rates from this exclusive set that barely had a retail release. Top graded 10s have surpassed $800 but even average condition raw copies still achieve $200-500 based on rarity alone. It sits at the pinnacle for Clemens collectors seeking a true condition rarity from his Boston Red Sox days.

Ozzie Smith Error: Widely considered one of the biggest errors in baseball card history, an ultra-rare printing anomaly on Ozzie Smith’s 1989 Donruss card saw his photo replaced by that of Ozzie Virgil. Only a miniscule number are believed to exist and it remains the holy grail for errors and oddball collectors worldwide. A PSA 9 example was privy to a private sale north of $6,000 in recent years while even lower graded copies in the PSA 6-8 range still achieve $2,000-4,000 whenever they surface due to the anomaly’s extreme rarity and place in hobby lore.

While ’89 lacked true rookie giants on the level of Griffey’s Upper Deck or Bonds’s Score issue, it highlighted future Hall of Famers in their primes with cards that have grown significantly rarer and more valuable over time. From premier rookies to HOF veterans, parallel variants, and even an unforgettable error – there was no shortage of valuable cards pulled straight from packs that year. For today’s savvy collectors and investors, several 1989 standouts remain worthwhile long-term holdings or aspirational chase pieces to see prices continue appreciating for decades to come.

COMC SCORE BASEBALL CARDS 1986

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The 1986 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. Issued during baseball’s peak popularity era, the ’86 Topps set featured stars like Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, and Ozzie Smith on the verge of their prime. The set is also notable for being one of the first years that the popular Beckett Baseball Card Monthly price guide began assigning COMc scores to cards to help collectors understand relative scarcity and demand.

COMc stands for “Condition, Overproduction, Market Forces, and Card” and is a numerical score from 1-10 assigned by Beckett editors to help collectors understand the factors that influence a card’s long-term value. Condition is the most straightforward factor – a card kept in near-mint to mint condition will always be worth more than one that is worn or damaged. Overproduction relates to how many copies of a particular card were printed – the fewer in existence, the more valuable it will become over time. Market Forces account for how much demand there is from collectors for a specific player or card design. And the “Card” part of the equation looks at any special features of the card itself, like a rare serial number print or error variant.

When the 1986 Topps set was first released, most common cards received middle-of-the-road COMc scores in the 5-7 range. Standout young stars like Clemens and sluggers like Andre Dawson scored slightly higher at 7-8. Legendary players in the twilight of their careers like Pete Rose and Steve Carlton landed 8-9 scores. And true super-rare short-prints or one-of-one error variants could achieve a coveted 10 rating. Over the subsequent decades, many of these scores have proven quite accurate in forecasting the set’s movers and shakers.

For example, the base card of slugging outfielder Andre Dawson (card #48) received an original COMc score of 7.5. Dawson went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his popularity as a collector item grew steadily. Today, his ’86 Topps card in near-mint condition can fetch $15-30, showing the accuracy of that mid-8 score decades later. Meanwhile, journeyman catcher Rick Dempsey’s base card (card #172) scored a more modest 6. While still a key piece for Astros and Orioles fans, his card remains quite affordable at $1-3.

Rookie cards were always a key focus of any vintage set. The 1986 Topps issue featured future Hall of Famers like Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine all making their Topps debut. Clemens’ iconic first card (card #181) scored an impressive 8.5 based on his breakout 1985 season and star potential. Today, a near-mint Clemens rookie can sell for $150-300, showing that score’s foresight. Maddux (card #479) and Glavine (card #603), while also scoring well in the 7.5-8 range, have appreciated more moderately to $15-30 as their careers played out below the lofty heights of Clemens.

Short prints and errors were where the really high COMc scores lived in the ’86 set. The elusive “Photo Variations” subset, featuring alternate posed shots of some players, received 9.5-10 ratings. These scarce parallels can now sell for $500-1000 each. Even more coveted was the legendary error card featuring Don Mattingly on the New York Yankees instead of the Kansas City Royals (card #30E). With a perfect 10 rating, this true one-of-one anomaly is worth a minimum of $10,000 to today’s collectors.

While COMc scores aren’t infallible predictors and the collecting market is always in flux, the early guide numbers assigned to the 1986 Topps baseball set proved remarkably insightful. From mega-stars to short-prints, the cards that scored highest decades ago have often held their value best. Studying COMc can help modern collectors understand what to focus on from vintage releases and make informed long-term investments. The 1986 Topps set serves as a great case study of how well those initial ratings have stood the test of time.

VALUE OF 1990 SCORE BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1990 Upper Deck baseball card set was unique for its time in that it was one of the first true “premium” card sets that was aimed at older collectors and carried significantly higher print runs and production values than typical cards of the era. While the late 80s and early 90s boom in baseball card collecting was starting to fade, 1990 Upper Deck cards still carried more cache and remained popular with collectors and investors. As such, many of the top rookie cards and stars from the 1990 Upper Deck set still hold value today for collectors over 30 years later.

One of the most noteworthy aspects of the 1990 Upper Deck set was its inclusion of rookie cards for future all-time greats like Gregg Maddux, Frank Thomas, and Juan Gonzalez. Maddux would go on to have one of the most dominant pitching careers in baseball history, winning 355 games and 4 Cy Young awards over 23 seasons. His 1990 Upper Deck rookie card remains one of the most iconic and highly sought after cards from the set. In high grade, a PSA 10 Maddux rookie can fetch upwards of $5,000-$10,000 depending on market demand and auction activity. Even well-centered PSA 9 copies trade in the $1,000-$2,000 range showing its enduring collector value.

Frank Thomas also burst onto the scene in 1990 winning the American League rookie of the year award and quickly establishing himself as one of the game’s most feared power hitters. Nicknamed “The Big Hurt”, Thomas would slam 521 home runs over 19 seasons while winning 2 MVPs. His rookie card from 1990 Upper Deck is equally impressive, with a PSA 10 copy bringing in over $3,000. Like Maddux, even lower graded Thomas rookies in PSA 8 or 9 hold substantial value upwards of $500 reflecting the player’s iconic baseball status.

The 1990 Upper Deck set also included the rookie card for power hitting outfielder Juan Gonzalez who would go on to slam 434 home runs and win back-to-back MVP awards in 1996-1997 primarily as a member of the Texas Rangers. While not achieving the same accolades as Maddux or Thomas, Gonzalez proved to be a true five-tool talent in his prime. Low population PSA 10 examples of his rookie now sell for around $1,000 with most PSA 9 copies bringing $200-300.

In addition to those standout rookie cards, the set featured superstars Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, and Nolan Ryan among many others. Bonds’ card in particular holds value as collectors began to take notice of his elite talents in the early 90s before his all-time single season and career home run records. A PSA 10 Bonds from 1990 Upper Deck in a recent auction sold for just under $1,000, with most graded 9s selling between $200-400 depending on the market.

The 1990 Upper Deck set also introduced collectors to rising young stars like David Justice, Will Clark, and Carlos Baerga who all went on to have solid big league careers. While not as acclaimed as the elite rookie cards, nice examples of their first issues can still attract bids of $50-150 for key players depending on grade. Stars of the era like Ryne Sandberg, Kirby Puckett, Cal Ripken Jr. and Ozzie Smith remain popular with collectors almost uniformly commanding $25-100 even decades later.

For investors, one of the most crucial aspects of 1990 Upper Deck cards is the massive print run size which helps support strong liquidity. While print runs were smaller than modern issues, the 4.5 billion cards printed for the brand’s debut MLB set in 1989 helped popularize the sport like never before. As such, even common cards for less heralded players typically have a solid bidding market on auction sites. This allows experienced collectors to follow longer term investment strategies, buying and holding cards across entire teams and sets with the expectation of steady appreciation over decades.

In summary, 1990 Upper Deck remains one of the sets that truly bridges the modern and vintage card eras. Strong 1990 rookies of all-time talents like Maddux, Thomas and Gonzalez will always be in high demand. But the sheer size of the print run also makes it a deeper set for enthusiasts, with options to collect and invest across a wide range of stars still popular today. For established collectors, vintage 1990 UD cards represent an attainable vintage investment that can be enjoyed for years to come.

1988 SCORE BASEBALL CARDS: TOP 10

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The 1988 score baseball card set is one of the most iconic releases from the famous Score trading card company. While it may lack the star power and rookie cards of some other years, the 1988 Score set still contains several extremely rare and valuable cards that continue to intrigue collectors decades later. Here’s a look at the top 10 rarest and most expensive 1988 Score baseball cards based on condition, print run, and recent sales prices.

Barry Larkin Rookie (#122)

Barry Larkin’s rookie card was the main rookie chase in the 1988 Score set. Larkin went on to have a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Cincinnati Reds. While Larkin rookies are fairly common, high grade versions remain elusive. A PSA 10 copy of Larkin’s rookie card recently sold for around $500. In PSA 9 condition it will fetch $100-250 depending on market conditions. Even in worn PSA 8 it still demands $50-75. Larkin’s rookie was a hot ticket in the late 80s/early 90s and is still one collectors search for to this day.

Roberto Alomar Rookie (#115)

Another top rookie in 1988 was Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar’s rookie card. Alomar went on to become one of the best second basemen of all time. Even still, his rookie is much more available than some others on this list. In PSA 10 it will sell in the $300-400 range. PSA 9’s go for $100-200 and a PSA 8 still holds $50-75 value. While not incredibly rare overall, high graded Alomar rookies maintain strong demand from collectors years after the set was released.

Frank Thomas Rookie (#134)

Having one of the best rookie classes of all time, the ’88 Score set included Frank Thomas’ rookie card. Arguably the top rookie in the set, PSA 10 Thomas rookies can reach $1000-1500. Even in a worn PSA 8 condition, copies still pull in $100-200. Finding true gem mint copies remains a challenge, ensuring Thomas’ iconic rookie maintains high prices. The cards of HOF talents like Thomas and Alomar will always be in demand by collectors chasing the rare early issues of all-time great players.

Mark Langston (#151)

One of the true “short prints” from 1988 Score was Mark Langston’s card #151. Only about 100 of Langston’s cards were printed versus the standard print run numbers for other players. This rarity pushes even low grade Langston’s up in value. In PSA 8condition expect to pay $150-250. Higher grades command a premium, with a PSA 10 recently selling for over $2000 due to its immense scarcity. Finding any version of the Langston short print card is an achievement in itself for 1988 Score collectors.

Cal Ripken Jr. Update (#50U)

While not quite a true short print, Cal Ripken’s update card #50U from 1988 Score held significant rarity compared to the base Ripken issue. Only about 1000 of the update versions were produced versus the standard run. This pushed Ripken’s update to become iconic in its own right, especially for Orioles fans collecting Ripken’s early issues. Even in low grade PSA 8 condition, the Ripken update commands $200-300 due to its limited print run. Near mint copies are truly impressive holdings, with a PSA 10 recently selling for $1600.

Bo Jackson (#205)

One of the biggest names in all of baseball cards is Bo Jackson. His rookie played second fiddle at the time to stars like Larkin and Alomar. But his iconic status has seen Jackson’s 1985 Fleer and 1989 Upper Deck rookies skyrocket in popularity and value in recent decades. His 1988 Score issue remains quite rare as well, especially in top condition. Even a moderate PSA 8 will still sell in the $250-350 range today. A true gem PSA 10 recently traded hands for an impressive $4,500 price tag showing the immense demand for a pristine Jackson rookie.

Tom Glavine Rookie (#142)

Hall of Famer Tom Glavine had his rookie season in 1987 but was still considered a rookie by Score in 1988, making his card a much-coveted rookie issue. As the set’s only 300-game winning left-handed pitcher, Glavine rookies maintain steady interest. Even low grade copies in PSA 8 sell around $200. Near mint PSA 9’s are valued closer to $500-700 depending on the market. A true perfect PSA 10 Glavine rookie would likely sell in the $1500-2000 range or higher if offered due to the rarity of high grade copies surviving over 30 years.

Mark McGwire (#256)

The 1988 Score set offered Mark McGwire’s second year card, but before his infamous home run chase with Sosa. Even still, McGwire’s early issues are legendary holds in any collection. Like many short prints, McGwire #256 saw a very limited production, estimated around 100 copies versus normal print runs. As one of the scarcest cards in the entire base set, low grade copies still command $300-500 prices. Near mint copies regularly sell for $1000 or more. A flawless PSA 10 would easily bring over $2000 given how rarely high grade versions occur in the wild after so many years.

Nolan Ryan (#1)

As the set’s legendary #1 card, Nolan Ryan’s issue took on added prestige and demand. With fewer copies produced versus standard players despite the high numbering, Ryan’s card became notorious for its rarity alone. Even common low grade PSA 8 copies will still fetch $300-500 prices thanks to nostalgia and demand. Near mint PSA 9’s have sold as high as $1000-1500 range. The elusive perfect PSA 10 Ryan #1 would likely break all 1988 Score records, likely demanding well over $2000 from a serious Ryan collector seeking the crown jewel.

Ozzie Smith Error (#383E)

Reigning as the undisputed rarest and most valuable card in the 1988 Score set is shortstop Ozzie Smith’s error version, card #383E. Only about 5 of these error cards are known to exist where Smith’s head is cut off at the top of the image. Simply put, this is one of the rarest production errors in the entire sports card industry. A PSA-certified Smith error card recently reached an astounding $25,000 sales price, setting a new record for any 1988 Score card. As the only card from the set with a definitive print run under 10 copies, the elusive Smith error stands alone as perhaps the most substantial “holy grail” collectible to come from Score’s 1988 release.

While not containing big name rookie star power of other years, the 1988 Score set maintains an elite tier of investment-worthy short prints, errors and early issues of all-time great players. Condition is king for maximum returns, but even lower grade versions hold value thanks to set nostalgia and demand from collectors seeking their favorite players’ early years. High grading elusive star rookies like Thomas, early issues like Ryan, and unprecedented errors like Smith secure the 1988 Score set a memorable place in card collecting history and speculation.

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SCORE 1990 BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The 1990 baseball card market offers collectors a unique opportunity to acquire rookie cards and stars from the late 1980s and early 1990s at affordable prices. While the bubble of the late 1980s inflation had popped by 1990, there are still many valuable and desirable cards to be found from that year’s sets.

One of the most widely produced sets of 1990 was Score. Issued by Score Board, Inc., the Score brand had been around since the late 1960s but saw significant growth in popularity during the late ’80s boom. The 1990 Score set contains 792 total cards including 693 base cards, 72 rookie/prospect cards, and 27 highlight or insert cards. Several facets make Score 1990 cards an intriguing subset to collect within the larger vintage baseball card market.

Rookies and Prospects: Many future Hall of Famers and all-time greats had their rookie cards debut in the 1990 Score set. Ken Griffey Jr.’s incredible rookie is arguably the most coveted and comes in two parallel versions – a regular and “black border” parallel that is slightly rarer. Other star rookies include Gregg Maddux, Kenny Lofton, Jeff Bagwell, and Frank Thomas. Prospect cards featuring players like Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter, Jim Thome, and Mike Piazza also remain highly sought after by collectors.

Condition Sensitivity: While the 1990 Score print run was substantial, finding high grade examples of desirable cards in pristine mint or near-mint condition can be challenging. The cardboard stock used for Score was thinner than other brands like Topps or Donruss at the time and is more prone to edge and corner wear even with light handling. Creatures of mint collectors pay premiums for 9’s and 10’s making condition a key factor in most 1990 Score card values.

Design and Photography: Score debuted innovative design elements in the late 80s that were continued in 1990. Bright team color borders, large crisp photos, and a classic yet modern aesthetic give the set instant vintage appeal. The team-colored borders in particular have become a Score signature. The photography quality is also top-notch with many future Hall of Famers captured in powerful on-field action shots. These aspects ensured the set remained a popular player for both collectors and casual fans.

Authentic Memorabilia Cards: Starting in 1989, Score began issuing memorable autograph and memorabilia cards that have become highly collectible chase items today. The 1990 set features several autograph and bat/jersey cards of MLB stars. Examples include insert cards featuring signed pieces of equipment or jersey swatches from Bo Jackson, Jose Canseco, Cal Ripken Jr., and others. These nostalgic relic cards command substantial premiums in the collector marketplace.

Investment Potential: While the cost to complete a set of 1990 Score base cards remains affordable for most hobbyists, desirable rookies, stars, and inserts have seen strong price increases since the early 2010s. Demand from collectors who enjoyed the cards as kids combined with availability drying up has boosted values significantly for many key 1990 Score cards. Griffey Jr., Maddux, Ripken, and Bonds rookies routinely sell for hundreds or even thousands depending on condition compared to just a few dollars a decade ago. With each passing year, scarcer cards and multiples will continue increasing in value at a healthy clip.

While it lacks the sky-high modern prices of the flagship 1987 and 1989 Score sets, focusing a collection on 1990 Score offers collectors a chance to acquire cards of future Hall of Famers for reasonable costs, whether completing a rainbow set or cherry picking star rookies and stars. Condition remains vital to long-term investment potential, but overall the 1990 Score brand represents tremendous memorabilia and nostalgia at accessible price points still within reach for most vintage card enthusiasts and investors. The unique design elements, variety of inserts, and star power on the rookie side make 1990 Score a premier vintage set to pursue.

90 SCORE BASEBALL ERROR CARDS

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Baseball cards from the late 1800s and early 1900s are highly collectible pieces of sports memorabilia history. One of the most sought after subsets are error cards, which are cards that were accidentally printed or cut incorrectly during production. Error cards from sets in the 1890s produced by tobacco companies like Allen & Ginter and Old Judge are especially rare and valuable today.

One of the most well-known error card sets is from the 1890 Allen & Ginter set, which is considered the first major baseball card set. Only around 100 examples are known to exist of the “90 Score” Allen & Ginter cards today. These cards were issued as promotional items in tobacco products and included some of the biggest stars of the day like Cap Anson, Buck Ewing, and Amos Rusie. A small number of cards were accidentally printed on card stock measuring 2.5×3 inches, compared to the standard size of approx. 2×3 inches for the main set.

These oversized “90 score” cards are the biggest errors and anomalies from that entire early era of baseball cards. They were likely caused by a printing plate or sheet of card stock being incorrectly sized when running presses to produce the cards. Only seven distinct players are known to have 90 score error variations – Buck Ewing, King Kelly, Jim O’Rourke, Tom Brown, Amos Rusie, Cap Anson, and Eddie Burke. Of those, the Ewing, Kelly, and O’Rourke are the most commonly encountered, with maybe 5-10 examples of each known. The others numbers are even lower.

Part of what makes these errors so desirable to collectors is their extreme rarity. Most early tobacco era sets had print runs in the tens or hundreds of thousands. But the miscut nature of these 90 scores means there are likely well under 100 total examples spread across the seven players. The inaccurate cutting and spacing of the cards also means no two 90 scores likely look exactly alike. The inconsistent sizes and shapes are a big part of the allure for error card collectors. Beyond just rarity, they represent a truly one-of-a-kind manufacturing mistake from over 130 years ago.

In terms of value, 90 score Allen & Ginter errors are the most valuable and desirable cards from that entire early era. In the past decade, examples have regularly sold at auction for six figures, with some setting new records. In 2013, a PSA NM-MT 8 graded King Kelly 90 score brought $116,250 at auction. In great condition with strong eye appeal, the sky seems to be the limit for prices they can bring. Even lower grade examples in AG 3-5 still sell for $10,000+ due to their great historical significance.

For collectors, finding one of these elusive errors is the ultimate prize. Only a small handful are believed to still exist in private collections unaccounted for. They are never encountered in flea markets or ordinary card shows. Any new discoveries would be huge news in the hobby. Most change hands only at major auction houses during rare opportunities. With such small numbers, finding a 90 score in any condition is still an incredibly rare occurrence over 125 years later.

The mystique and rarity have led some to speculate theories about their origin and survival over the decades. Some believe they may have been experimental one-off proofs created before the official set design was finalized. Others think they were oversights in the manufacturing process as the plant got up and running. It’s possible a few boxes were miscut and missed being destroyed as seconds. Wherever they came from, the 90 scores are now among the most important and valuable artifacts from the early days of modern baseball cards collecting.

For today’s collectors, finding any example of these legendary errors would be an unprecedented discovery. They represent the pinnacle achievement for collectors of tobacco era cards and errors/variants from that pre-modern era. Even for the deepest pocketed investors, a 90 score in pristine condition would be a true blue chip addition. Their mystique and rarity have cemented them as some of the most coveted collectibles in the entire sports card industry, continually rewriting records as new generations discover the early history of the hobby.

SCORE SELECT BASEBALL CARDS

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Score select baseball cards are unique vintage baseball cards that stood out compared to other cards produced during their era in the 1980s and 1990s due to their innovative design and chase factor for collectors. Rather than featuring standard team photos as the backdrop, score select cards placed the player’s picture against a scoreboard-styled graphic that highlighted stats from their best season. This differed from the norm at the time and contributed to score selects being widely collected and sought after by many in the hobby.

While baseball cards had been around since the late 1800s, the modern era of mass-produced cards inserted in packs of gum and other sweets took off in the middle of the 20th century when companies like Topps gained dominant market share. Through the 1970s and into the 1980s, Topps was really the main producer of modern baseball cards as competitors came and went. In 1988 a new player entered the scene that would help change the sports card market – Score Board, Inc.

Score Board debuted its innovative Score brand of sports cards in 1988, with baseball being its main focus initially. What made score cards stand out compared to Topps’s standard rectangular templates was its scoreboard style design where a famous score or stat line of the player was featured prominently in the background behind their picture. For veteran superstars, it may highlight a historic season or milestone they achieved. For rising young players it could underscore a breakout season yet to come. Either way, it brought a new level of visual interest that collectors embraced.

Some of the signature score selects from the late 80s and early 90s that remain highly coveted include Ken Griffey Jr’s upper deck rookie from 1989 featuring “73 HR in High School” in the background, Mark McGwire’s 1990 card with “49 HR Rookie Year” on the scoreboard, and Cal Ripken Jr’s 1991 issue highlighting “Consecutive Games Streak”. These provided context beyond the typical baseball card and fueled intrigue while showing off standout individual performances. Score Board found a way to merge stats and visuals together before advanced graphics capabilities that modern digital cards now take for granted.

While Topps remained the dominant force, Score Board was able to carve out a respectable market share through the late 80s and 1990s by targeting collectors looking for something different. Their score select design grew beyond baseball as well to also feature basketball, hockey, football and other sports. Competition brought out creativity as Topps tried emulating aspects of Score Board’s approach too such as experimenting more with action shots and novel borders/logos. This pushed both companies to keep innovating their products each year.

Along with the innovation came scarcity – unlike the mass production runs of Topps, Score Board produced score select sets with lower print runs that maintained strong demand. Flagship rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey Jr, Randy Johnson, and Chipper Jones are considered among the iconic scores from the early 90s era. Savvy investors snapped these up, knowing well before stats were cemented that they profiled as likely superstars. The score selects highlighting breakout potential proved quite prescient in hindsight.

Competition grew in the late 80s and 1990s as Fleer and SkyBox entered the baseball card game as well. This led companies to use enticements to attract collectors – Score Board distributed discounted coupons in their packs to purchase cases of future years’ releases for example. They also offered redemption cards collectors could send in to receive rare parallel or autograph versions of the standard issue cards – these often hold the highest values today. Meanwhile, partnerships were formed between manufacturers and popular players to autograph cards hand number limited runs.

The score select concept created crossover appeal beyond hardcore collectors too. Casual fans, as well as ballplayers themselves, took a liking to seeing their own accomplishments memorialized in a graphic, displayable format. Groups would swap and trade scores at the ballpark or in the clubhouse. This helped raise the profile of the modern collectibles industry during its boom years. Score Board’s success in particular underscored how introducing creative angles beyond the same old team poses could energize the market.

As the sports card speculative fervor rose to a peak in the late 1980s and eventually crashed in the mid-90s, Score Board and the other newcomers were hit hard. SkyBox and Fleer outright went bankrupt while Score Board struggled. Eventually the Score name and brands were sold off and bounced around various new ownership groups in the late 90s and 2000s as the companies attempted comeback campaigns. Nothing could replicate the magic of those formative pioneering years during Score’s ascendancy. The Score brand today exists mainly as a nostalgia imprint under new leadership far removed from its founder days.

Still, Score Board undeniably left an indelible mark on the sports collectibles world by launching the innovative score select concept. Their cards from the late 80s to early 90s are the most classic of the era and hold icon status that transcends fluctuations in the wider hobby. Savvy long term investors who purchased graded examples pre-boom for affordable prices have seen tremendous appreciation over the past two decades as the stars and rookie cards featured have only grown in prestige and lore. And collectors today still flock to seek out those unique vintage Score selects that proved so ahead of their time in merging baseball stats with dynamic card designs. Though Score Board’s corporate life was volatile, their impact lives on through their trailblazing scoreboard style cards that captured peak 1980s/90s collector passion.

Score select baseball cards introduced a novel hybrid model merging stats and visuals that collectors eagerly embraced in the late 80s and early 90s. By spotlighting historical performances and breakout seasons, Score Board found a way to add new context and excitement beyond standard baseball card templates. Despite corporate ups and downs, their pioneering score select design concept left an indelible mark that still resonates strongly today amongst collectors and investors. Iconic rookie issues featuring stars like McGwire, Griffey Jr, Frank Thomas have only grown in prestige. For innovating collectibles in a way that tapped into fan enthusiasm, Score Board deserves recognition as one of the most influential brands in the modern sports card boom era.