All told, the sparkplug centerfielder pretty much held up his end of the bargain, playing for 17 years and accumulating 2251 hits, 227 home runs, 967 RBI, 429 stolen bases, and 1187 runs scored. Remarkably, that stat line wasn't good enough to take home the Triple Crown but he did win MVP honors that season. The New York Yankees signed 20-year-old Mariano Rivera out of Panama on Feb. 17, 1990, and he allowed just 17 hits and one earned run with 58 strikeouts in 52 innings in his pro debut at the rookie ball level later that year. Of course, those homer numbers were off the charts starting in 1998, when he chased Mark McGwire to Roger Maris single-season record. Surprisingly, there are valuable cards from almost every year to look out for, including before, during, and after the junk wax era. Read our methodology. Willie Mays Rookie Card. Rickey led the AL in four major statistical categories beginning with runs scored (119), stolen bases (65), OPS (1.016), and OBP (.439). An example that Beckett graded a 10 sold on Goldin for $57,600, giving it the top spot in this athletes card series. Beware of listings on eBay for hundreds of thousands of dollars on cards like these they probably arent verified or even real foil. This PSA 7.5 NM+ card is currently selling for $5,500 on eBay, so that gives you an idea as to just how expensive these babies can be. He didn't appear on his first Topps card until the 1995 Topps Traded set, following his MLB debut. And it goes back to 1990. Due to the availability of baseball cards from 1990 and the crash of the sports cards market in the 1990s, most of the standard cards are worth just a few dollars. Baseball in the 1990s was dominated by two teams. It was futuristic for the time, but Jeters SP RC is a clear cut above the others found on this list. Naturally, his rookie cards were hot tamales. On the card itself, Jordan is pictured during batting practice with the White Sox before a home game in 1990. Prices are updated daily based upon 1990 Fleer Canadian listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. It includes both Griffey and Mickey Mantles profiles, accompanied by their Sharpie signatures. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Alright, lets play ball, 1990 Topps style! His 1990 Topps rookie card has held up over the years with decent value. It perfectly illustrates just what made Bo Jackson so special: Similar to Bo Jackson, even though Mattingly's career declined at the height of his prime, he was one of the hottest names in the hobby of that era, and collectors still love his cards today. Then it was on to the Colorado Rockies, for whom Walker broke out, big time forever giving critics the yeah, but he did that in the thin air of Denver excuse to denigrate, or at least downplay, his performance. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. As an All-Star card, the back of this one shows his AS stats: But some of the cards printed in early runs purported to show his recent major league performance: Its scarce enough, at least in Junk Wax terms, to land a pretty cherry spot on this list. Its an error in the sense that it does not list his correct birthday, but there were several cards that listed that date. A number of steroid sagas have somewhat marred his legacy in recent years, but theres no denying his talent. Despite the bad press, the list proves that the 1990s wasnt the worst time to begin investing in baseball cards, as long as you knew where to look and only went for the best of the best. (PSA Graded) Estimated PSA 10 Value: $50. The man needed to take a day off now and then, they said, and forget about chasing Lou Gehrigs record for consecutive games played. In the 1990 set, that RB card celebrated Rickeys 40th career leadoff home run late in 1989, which extended his own record. He made his MLB debut the following year after continuing to rake in the upper levels of the minors and then took the league by storm with one of the best rookie seasons of all time in 1993. There are RCs and special editions, so its highly unlikely that youll find one stuffed down the back of the couch. Things started to look up the next summer, though, as 24-year-old Sosa connected on 33 long balls, the first of 11 straight full seasons (he cracked 25 in strike-shortened 1994) when he hit 30 or more. Now, this is what Thomas's rookie card issupposedto look like when his full name appears at the bottom of the card. I do have Chipper Jones, Ken Griffey, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Barry Sanders, Barry Bonds. 13 Rarest Michael Jordan Cards Ever - Rarest.org . It was sold at an auction in 1966. In spite of the steroid allegations, Rodriguezs RC was always going to be high on any list of the most valuable 90s cards. With six straight All-Star appearances and one MVP during the 1980s, Mattingly seemed to be on a clear path towards the Hall of Fame. As shocking as it may seem, yes, this version of the 1990 Topps Frank Thomas rookie card can be worth some serious money. Sure, the dudes personality rubbed folks like a porcupine-grained sandpaper, and health issues sank his Hall of Fame hopes, but Belle managed to dominate in the batters box long enough to add some forever value to his rookie cards. Another rare card with two of the best players to grace the field, this 1994. The landscape design helps it to stand out, while its illustrated in incredible detail, with expert shadowing. 1991 Topps Desert Shield #333 Chipper Jones RC ($200) 1993 Stadium Club Murphy Derek Jeter RC ($60) 1991 Wild Card Brett Favre #119 5 Stripe ($40), 10 Stripe ($80), 20 Stripe ($120), 50 Stripe ($250), 100 Stripe ($350), 1000 Stripe ($1,800) One of the most vivid memories I have about Albert Belle is that my brother caught one of his home run balls during a 1997 White Sox game as we were seated in left field. However, the 1990 Fleer Soaring Stars #6 card in near-mint condition may sell for closer to $50. You might also enjoy our Ultimate Guide treatment of 1990 Topps baseball cards, right here. Read our methodology. All card images courtesy of TCDB, while pricing data is pulled from recent eBay sales as of Thursday morning. Bonds card prices, its seems, like his Hall of Fame candidacy, are victims of his PED taint. Its hard to find in good condition, which is why high. His rookie care is a must-have in this set and one of the most iconic cards of the 1990s. Surely Upper Deck has a way to account for this, right? OK, fine, but .., where had his rookie cards been?? Back from a starring role in Japan, Fielder had us all shaking our heads as he crushed 51 home runs for the Detroit Tigers, the first 50-homer season in the bigs since George Foster went deep 52 times for the Reds in 1977. The No. Constantly nipping at their heels were the Atlanta Braves who performed consistently well over the decade despite winning only one World Series title (they lost on a heart-breaking four occasions). This card is ungraded, has no autograph of him but is very valuable. And, although Murphy struggled in Philly and Colorado before retiring in 1993, hes still a hobby heavyweight all these years later, and this card reflects a solid hunk of 1980s baseball history just as an era was about to end. But there were few sluggers as feared as Juan Gone through most of the 1990s, and he won two American League MVP awards with Texas, in 1996 and 1998. Within the set were also several different subsets, including: It really is a pretty decent set overall. Juan Gonzalez was already a solid prospect heading into the 1989 season, and his 21 home runs with Double-A Tulsa at just 19 years of age put him on the hobby radar. 1 overall in the 1993 draft, Alex Rodriguez debuted the following year and then set the card market ablaze when he hit .358/.414/.631 with 54 doubles, 36 home runs, 123 RBI and 141 runs scored in his age-20 season to finish runner-up in MVP voting and win the AL batting title. Theres something for every budget, and thats only going to be good news for collectors. Ryan's popularity drives most of the reason for the value of this card being what it is. The action shot features a young Jeter primed to make a catch, with the player superimposed over the holofoil. Which Was Your Favorite Old-Time Baseball Cards Publica 1987 Topps Baseball Cards 25 Most Valuable R 1978 Topps Baseball Cards The Ultimate Guide, 25) 1990 Topps Sammy Sosa Rookie Card (#692), 24) 1990 Topps Larry Walker Rookie Card (#757), 12) 1990 Topps Bernie Williams Rookie Card (#701), 5) 1990 Topps Rickey Henderson Record Breaker (#7), 4) 1990 Topps Frank Thomas Rookie Card (#414), 6) 1990 Topps Delino Deshields Rookie Card (#224), 5) 1990 Topps Juan Gonzalez Rookie Card (#331), 4) 1990 Topps Ben McDonald Rookie Card (#774), 3) 1990 Topps Marquis Grissom Rookie Card (#714), 2) 1990 Topps Frank Thomas Partial Blackless (#414), 1) 1990 Topps Frank Thomas No Name on Front (#414), 2) 1990 Topps Traded Cecil Fielder (#31T), 1) 1990 Topps Traded David Justice (#48T), 1990 Topps Baseball Cards Complete Your Set U-Pick (#'s 401-600) Nm-Mint, Coast-to-Coast Cardboard: Rocco Constantinos Collecting Story, 1952 Bowman Baseball Cards 12 Most Valuable, 1990 Upper Deck Baseball Cards - The Ultimate Guide - Wax Pack Gods, 1990 Topps Baseball Cards - The Ultimate Collector's Guide, 1957 Topps Baseball Cards 15 Most Valuable, 1967 Topps Baseball Cards 17 Most Valuable, 1959 Topps Baseball Cards 17 Most Valuable, 1961 Topps Baseball Cards 16 Most Valuable, 1986 ProCards Pittsfield Cubs Rafael Palmeiro Left Room for Interpretation Wax Pack Gods, 1998 Upper Deck Final Tribute Captured Eddie Murray in His Second Home Wax Pack Gods, Players with 3000 Hits and 500 Home Runs Wax Pack Gods, Card Traders Near Me: Where to Find Them! As if collectors needed more reason to chase Kirby Puckett, the Minnesota Twins fire hydrant of a centerfielder had won his first (and only, as it turned out) American League batting title in 1989. Two years later, he was an All-Star for the first time, and the year after that he won his first of two Cy Young awards. Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020 leading to the value of his memorabilia skyrocketing. Many of the most valuable 1990 Fleer baseball cards on eBay are standard cards with autographs. Beltres rookie card from 1997 recently sold at auction for $3,016. In fact, while fellow White Sox rookies Robin Ventura and Scott Radinsky picked up some votes for Rookie of the Year honors in 1990, Thomas didn't receive any at all. Also Check: National League Standings For Baseball. 1996 Sport Illustrated For Kids Tiger Woods II #536 ($250) Anything Topps Tiffany! Unfortunately, the 1990 season would be Jackson's last full season in baseball as a devastating hip injury during a football game in 1991 prevented him from ever playing at his All-Star level again. Prices are updated daily based upon 1990 Classic listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. You should do your own due dilligence before spending your money on anything including baseball cards. ). Check out my other Baseball Card Videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrmolUXjojPMbnGNd9g9-DtE4gqbTGPTHHow to submit to PSA: https://youtu.be/. It was made in a limited set of 50 and this card that sold at a Goldin auction was #50/50. I wont get into it here, and theres a great article on PWCC that dives deeper that was just written this past June, and offering this nugget: The pack pulled, dual Mantle and Griffey auto is one of the most desirable dual auto pack pulled cards ever. Add to that the fact that the 20-card "Premiere Prospects" subset that Jeter is included in has a foil design that shows any and all imperfections, and it's virtually impossible to find a gem mint version of the card. After the initial production run, someone may detect the error and pull the card from the line.