1990 Upper Deck #17 Sammy Sosa Graded 10 by BCCG: The Rise of a Baseball Legend
The year was 1990, and the baseball world was about to witness the emergence of a new superstar. His name was Sammy Sosa, and he had just been traded to the Chicago Cubs from the Texas Rangers. Little did anyone know, this would be the start of an incredible journey for Sosa, one that would eventually lead him to the record books and a place in history.
The 1990 Upper Deck #17 card was just the beginning of what would become a legendary collection for Sosa. This particular card, however, was special. Graded a perfect 10 by BCCG (Beckett Collectors Club Grading), it was one of the first Sosa cards to be recognized for its pristine condition. This grade not only attested to the quality of the card, but also to the potential of the player it featured.
At the time, Sosa was just a promising young player with a lot of potential. He had been performing well in the minor leagues and had made his major league debut with the Rangers in 1989. But it wasn’t until he joined the Cubs that his true talent started to shine. In his first season with the team, he hit 15 home runs and stole 32 bases, earning himself the National League Rookie of the Year award.
The following season, Sosa would continue to impress and improve. He hit 33 home runs, stole 36 bases, and had a batting average of .233. But it wasn’t until 1993 that Sosa truly took off. He hit a career-high 33 home runs and was selected to his first All-Star Game. This was just a glimpse of what was yet to come for the young outfielder.
In the years that followed, Sosa would become a household name. He was known for his powerful swing, his electrifying speed, and his larger-than-life personality. He became a fan favorite not just in Chicago, but across the country. And his popularity only grew when he battled it out with Mark McGwire in 1998 for the record-breaking home run chase.
While he ultimately fell short in that race, Sosa went on to have an illustrious career. He hit 609 career home runs, was selected to seven All-Star Games, and won the National League MVP award in 1998. And all along the way, his 1990 Upper Deck #17 card remained a prized possession for collectors.
Today, this card is a highly sought-after item for any baseball card collector. Its perfect 10 grade is a testament to the early days of Sosa’s career, and serves as a reminder of the greatness that was to come. It’s also a symbol of a time when Sosa was just a young, talented player with the world at his feet, before the controversy and scandals that would later overshadow his accomplishments.
In 1990, the Upper Deck #17 Sammy Sosa card was just another baseball card. But as the years went by and Sosa’s legacy grew, it became a cherished piece of history for fans and collectors alike. And with its BCCG grade of 10, it represents not only a piece of Sosa’s career, but also a milestone in the world of baseball card collecting.