The 1990 Upper Deck baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets ever produced. It was the first major sports card set issued by Upper Deck, a brand new trading card company at the time that completely changed the sports card industry. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable cards from the 1990 Upper Deck set:
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card – Without question, the crown jewel of the 1990 Upper Deck set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Junior was already one of the brightest young stars in baseball at that time and his iconic swings, effortless grace in the outfield, and boyish smile made him an instant fan favorite. His rookie card became one of the hottest commodities in the hobby. In pristine mint condition, a Griffey Jr. rookie can fetch $100,000 or more today. Even well-worn near mint copies sell for $1,000+. No other card from the set comes close to Griffey’s rookie in terms of demand and value.
Nolan Ryan – Perhaps the greatest power pitcher of all time, Ryan was still pitching effectively for the Texas Rangers in 1990 at the age of 43. His card features an action shot of the flamethrower firing a fastball. In mint condition, a Nolan Ryan from the 1990 set can sell for $500-700. It’s one of the most iconic non-rookie cards from the set.
Cal Ripken Jr. – While not as valuable as his much rarer 1981 Fleer rookie, Ripken’s 1990 UD card still commands respectable prices due to his iconic status as “The Iron Man.” Near mint copies often sell for $150-250 given Ripken’s Hall of Fame career and his breaking of Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record in 1995.
Bryce Florie – The somewhat unknown relief pitcher Bryce Florie has one of the big kickers in the 1990 UD set – his photo shows him with an incredibly odd arm slot, which made his card incredibly sought after by collectors. Florie never amounted to much in the majors, but his bizarre pitching motion alone makes his 1990 UD card a true oddball that frequently sells for $75-150 even today.
Roberto Alomar Rookie – Though not in the same league as Griffey’s rookie in terms of value, Alomar was an up-and-coming star for the Padres in 1990. His neat jumping image and Hall of Fame credentials mean his rookie sells for $50-150 depending on condition.
Eric Davis – “Rowdy” Eric Davis was arguably baseball’s most exciting player in 1990 after a monster 1989 season. His action photo and career .284 average/220 HRs make his 1990 UD card a solid $40-100 card today.
Whitey Herzog – A legendary manager for the Cardinals and Royals, Herzog’s photo features him getting in the face of an umpire – a classic “money shot” that makes his card rarer than average managers. Near mint Herzog cards go for $30-75.
Ken Caminiti Rookie – Caminiti broke out with the Astros later, winning 1996 NL MVP, but his rookie is still a sought-after find from the set selling in the $20-50 range.
In addition to stars, some of the other 1990 UD cards that accrue value include the following:
Rookies of Bobby Bonilla, Gary Sheffield
Veteran stars like Jose Canseco, Wade Boggs
Manager Tommy Lasorda
Nearly any mint or graded rookie, star, or “money” shot player from the 1990 UD set has lasting collectible value. The Griffey Jr. RC of course steals the show, but there are several other classic and valuable cards that help make the 1990 Upper Deck set one of the true cornerstones in the modern sports collecting hobby. The combination of stunning photography, rookie star power, and the brand new excitement surrounding Upper Deck all contributed to the demand that still exists today for the great cards from this iconic release over 30 years later.
