The 1988 Score baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable issues from the junk wax era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While packs and boxes of these cards could be found everywhere and were extremely affordable at the time, certain rare and sought after rookie cards have grown exponentially in value in the decades since. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable 1988 Score cards that card collectors seek to this day.

Perhaps the most well-known and coveted rookie card from the 1988 Score set is that of Toronto Blue Jays star third baseman Molitor. Molitor had an incredible 22 year career spanning from 1973-1996 and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018. His 1988 Score rookie card, with Molitor pictured in a Blue Jays uniform, continues to be one of the most iconic and valuable rookie cards ever produced. In top mint condition, a PSA 10 graded Molitor rookie fetches prices well over $10,000. Even well-centered near mint copies in PSA 8 or 9 condition can sell for $3,000-$5,000. The combination of Molitor’s elite playing career and the card’s iconic design make it the most sought after by collectors from this set.

Another hugely valuable rookie from 1988 Score is that of Chicago White Sox left-handed pitcher Wilson. Prior injuries slowed his career debut, but Wilson went on to become a 4-time All-Star, American League Cy Young Award winner, and he tossed a no-hitter in 1991. Despite not appearing on top prospect lists at the time of the card’s release, demand for Wilson’s rookie has skyrocketed in recent years. PSA 10 examples regularly eclipse $5,000 at auction now while PSA 9 copies are $2,000-$3,000. The combination of Wilson’s excellent career stats and the increasing rarity of high graded versions of this card make it the second most coveted by collectors from the ’88 Score set behind only Molitor.

Joining Molitor and Wilson amongst the most valuable 1988 Score rookies is that of slugging outfielder Gonzalez. Born in the Dominican Republic, Gonzalez made his MLB debut with the New York Mets in 1989. He went on to amass over 450 career home runs and was a 6-time All-Star between stints with the Mets, Dodgers, and Braves. As one of the most feared right-handed hitters of the late 80s/90s, “Moose” Gonzalez’s rookie card has held strongcollector demand for decades. High grade PSA 10 examples now bring prices averaging $3,000-$4,000, while PSA 9 versions are closer to $1,000-1,500. The rarity of this Dominican-born slugger’s first card combined with his prolific MLB stats create a valuable vintage rookie for collectors.

While 1988 Score included rookie cards of many future Hall of Famers like Piazza, Griffey Jr, and Martinez, three cards from the set stand above the rest in terms of demand – Molitor, Wilson, and Gonzalez. Having debuted in the majors either late in 1987 or 1988, these players’ rookie cards were accurately included in the ’88 Score checklist, making them the truest rookie presentations for these sluggers.

Beyond the big three, another very popular 1988 Score card resides in the Baltimore Orioles section – pitcher Mike Mussina. Although not technically a rookie card, Mussina’s very first Score issue card came in this 1988 set in just his first season in the league. Very talented but often overshadowed by contemporary stars like Pedro and Clemens, Mussina put together an outstanding career that should land him in Cooperstown someday. His low printed ’88 Score is a favorite of Oriole and Mussina collectors. High grade PSA/BGS examples now sell for $500-$1,000, showing this card’s steadily growing demand.

A few other noteworthy expensive cards from the 1988 Score baseball set include the cards of ace closer Eckersley, slugging catcher Piazza, superstar shortstop Rodriguez, and Hall of Famer Griffey Jr’s early Tigers issue card before his famous Donruss rookie. In top condition with strong grades, these cards can reach prices of $300-$500. It’s the Molitor, Wilson and Gonzalez rookies that have stood the test of time and hold premier value more than 30 years since the set’s original release due to their players’ Hall of Fame-worthy careers and the scarcity of superb condition copies remaining around.

While 1988 Score cards could easily be found in bargain bins for a quarter a pack back in the day, the enduring popularity of certain rookie stars like Molitor, Wilson and Gonzalez have made their cards some of the most expensive and sought after from the entire junk wax era. The combination of these players’ amazing MLB success, the iconic design of their rookie cards in the ‘88 Score set, and the natural rarity that comes with the passage of time have all contributed to their modern six and even seven figure valuations for top pristine specimens. Even in high grades of PSA 8 or 9, these prized rookie cards still cost thousands, a reminder of how certain vintage issues can retain collecting interest for generations to come. For hardcore baseball card investors and vintage enthusiasts, 1988 Score remains one of the great sets of the modern era thanks to prized rookie presentations like these.

The 1998 Score baseball card set is widely considered one of the most valuable vintage sports card releases in the modern era. With rookies of future legends like Ken Griffey Jr., Sammy Sosa, Randy Johnson, and Tom Glavine, the ’98 Score set featured some of the most iconic players of the late 90s and careers just getting started. While the printing numbers for this set were rather high compared to other card issues of the time, there are still several ’98 Score cards that have seen their values rise into the thousands due to the enduring legacies of those depicted on the cardboard. Let’s take a look at some of the most expensive and sought-after 1998 Score baseball cards in today’s market.

Perhaps the most desirable and priciest ’98 Score card is the Griffey Jr. rookie. While Ken Griffey Jr. was already an established star by 1998 after nearly a decade in the big leagues, his rookie card from the 1989 Upper Deck set remains one of the top selling sports cards of all-time. The Griffey Jr. ’98 Score rookie serves as the follow up to his true first card and catches “The Kid” in the prime of his career with the Seattle Mariners. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples of this card in recent eBay sales have commanded prices up to $1,500. Other near-mint copies have also sold for $500-800. Griffey’s popularity, talent, and status as a “once in a generation” type player is largely why his ’98 Score rookie maintains huge demand.

Staying in Seattle, the ’98 Score rookie card of slugger Alex Rodriguez also carries heavy value these days. A-Rod would go on to shatter offensive records and become a household name for both his play and off-field antics. In PSA 10 condition, his ’98 Score debut has sold for over $1200. Even in rougher grades of PSA 8 or Beckett 8.5, this Rodriguez rookie still trades hands for $400-600 among card collectors seeking the beginning of a truly special career. The combination of Rodriguez’s stats, fame, and the fact he was one of the last big stars without a true “flagship” rookie make his ’98 Score issue an essential for Mariners and A-Rod aficionados.

Perhaps the most financially successful player depicted on a ’98 Score card is Cubs’ slugger Sammy Sosa. Sosa exploded onto the national scene from ’98-2001 by setting single season home run records and becoming a fan favorite known for his joyous home run trots. High-grade versions of Sosa’s ’98 Score card have sold for well over $1000 given his iconic status in Chicago sports history and massive popularity at the height of the steroid era home run chase. Even moderately played copies can still attract bids up to $300-500 based purely on Sosa nostalgia alone. With 635 career long balls, three 60+ home run seasons, and his role in baseball’s late 90s renaissance, Sammy’s flashy ’98 Score card will likely hold value for a long time.

Continuing with sluggers who thrived in the late 90s, Mark McGwire’s ’98 Score issue also carries four figure price tags in top condition. Coming off his then single season record 70 home run campaign with the Cardinals in ’98, Big Mac was the biggest name in baseball during the Card’s World Series victory that year. PSA 10 McGwire rookies, which are extremely rare, have gone for upwards of $3000 recently. But even lower graded copies in the PSA 8-9 range can sell between $500-1000. McGwire’s infamous place in the steroid controversy hasn’t diminished collectors’ desire for a piece of baseball’s home run heyday through his rookie.

While pitchers don’t usually drive prices quite like sluggers, Randy Johnson’s ’98 Score debut is among the set’s more expensive gems. The Big Unit would have a true breakout season in ’98, winning the Cy Young while posting a 2.28 ERA and leading the NL with 298 strikeouts. High-end PSA 10 Johnson rookies have sold for over $1800. Copies in the PSA 8-9 range still demand $400-800. Between his five Cy Youngs, 300 career wins, otherworldly prime years with Seattle and Arizona, and his towering 6’10 frame, Randy Johnson was simply a one of one talent. That uniqueness leads to lasting interest in his ’98 Score rookie card among collectors.

Other notables from the ’98 Score set that can demand significant money include Chipper Jones, who was already an established star by ’98 but his high-grade rookie sells for $500-800. Tom Glavine, who like Chipper played over 2 decades in the bigs, as his ’98 Score rookie in solid condition fetches $300-500. Cubs catcher Todd Hundley, who made the All-Star team in 1998, has a PSA 10 that sold for over $900 recently. Mark Teixeira’s rookie, as he was one of the most hyped prospects ever at the time, in high grades commands $400-600. And Red Sox’s sensation Nomar Garciaparra, fresh off a batting title in ’98, has his rookie listed between $300-500 as well.

While the printing numbers may have been higher in 1998 than in decades prior, top condition examples of stars from the ’98 Score set have proven to retain immense collector demand decades later. Whether its due to sustained careers of excellence, iconic single seasons, or cultural nostalgia, Griffey Jr., A-Rod, Sosa, McGwire, Johnson and others depicted give investors a fun way to speculate on the futures of players just breaking in during baseball’s renaissance period of the late 90s. True first year cards like rookies are always desirable, but the enduring legacies and epic seasons of players showcased make 1998 Score baseball cards a true benchmark release from the modern era.

The 1990 baseball card season marked the end of an era for the hobby. The junk wax era was coming to a close after several years of overproduction led to sharply declining card values throughout the late 1980s. However, 1990 did see the release of several highly sought after rookie cards that have since become extremely valuable in the decades since. While not as valuable as the iconic rookie cards of the 1950s and 1960s, some 1990 cards featuring future Hall of Famers have appreciated greatly in value as interest in vintage cards has surged in recent years.

Perhaps the most well known and valuable card from 1990 is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the best players of his generation, Griffey was already generating huge hype leading up to his first MLB season in 1989. His rookie card was released by Upper Deck in 1990 and quickly became one of the most sought after cards on the hobby. While prints runs were large during the junk wax era, Griffey’s card stood out and has maintained strong collector demand. In near mint to mint condition, examples of his rookie card in a PSA 10 gem mint grade have sold at auction for over $10,000 in recent years. Even well-centered copies in PSA 9 excellent condition can fetch $1,000-$2,000 making it one of the most valuable modern era cards.

Another huge star from the 1990s who had his rookie card released that year was Frank Thomas. Like Griffey, “The Big Hurt” went on to have a Hall of Fame caliber career and his rookie is one of the standouts from 1990. Thomas’ rookie was issued by Fleer and Donruss that year. High grade PSA 10 copies have sold for $3,000-$5,000 in recent auction sales. Even in PSA 9 condition, Thomas rookies can sell for $500-$1,000 showing the strong collector demand for one of the premier power hitters of the 1990s.

While Griffey and Thomas went on to have the most success individually, another trio of young stars from 1990 had huge careers as well. The rookie cards of Chipper Jones, Jim Thome, and Nomar Garciaparra were all released in 1990 as well. As the core of powerful Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Boston Red Sox teams respectively throughout the 1990s, these players developed huge fan bases. In PSA 10 condition, Chipper Jones’ rookie has sold for over $1,000. PSA 9 copies typically sell in the $200-500 range. Jim Thome rookies have reached $500 for PSA 10s and $100-250 for PSA 9s. Nomar Garciaparra’s rookie in a PSA 10 has sold for over $800 with PSA 9s bringing $150-300 showing the strong, continuing demand for stars of that era.

While players were the main draw for collectors, 1990 also saw the release of some highly sought after parallel and insert card sets. One of the most famous parallel sets was the 1990 Topps Traded set. Featuring traded players and managers from the 1989 season in their new uniforms, the Traded set included huge stars like Nolan Ryan, Rickey Henderson, and Roger Clemens. The design featured a traded sticker on the front and the cards had intricate blue and white borders. In high grades, complete factory sets have sold for over $5,000 showing the strong nostalgia many collectors have for this unique parallel set from the 1990 Topps flagship release.

Another very popular insert set released in 1990 was the Score Summitt set. Featuring 60 cards depicting famous baseball stadiums and ballparks, the Summitt cards had intricately designed borders and decorative flourishes unique to each stadium featured. Highlights included Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium, and Yankee Stadium. Complete near mint to mint factory sets in a display box have sold for over $2,000 showing the strong demand collectors have for these iconic baseball venue cards over 30 years later.

While the junk wax era glut severely hurt values of most modern era cards in the short term, strong nostalgia and collector demand has led to greatly increased values for the best rookie cards and inserts from 1990 in recent decades. As interest in vintage cards continues to surge, key cards from stars of that era like Griffey, Thomas, Jones, Thome and Garciaparra have held up extremely well. Parallel sets like Topps Traded and inserts highlighting classic ballparks like Score Summitt have also become highly sought after pieces from the waning days of the junk wax era. With Hall of Fame worthy talents and fun parallel and insert sets, 1990 remains one of the most collected modern vintage years in the hobby. Values are likely to remain strong or continue appreciating for the premier cards that captured our attention during a transitional year for the baseball card industry.