John Smoltz
Pitcher · Atlanta Braves
1993 Upper Deck Baseball #Not visible
Year & Era
1993 — Junk Wax / Post-Vintage Era
Card Type
Base Card with In-Person Autograph
Grade
Raw — Appears Excellent to Near Mint (EX-MT 6)
Rarity
Common base card from a high-production set, though featuring an in-person autograph.
Overall Assessment
A classic early-90s baseball card featuring a Hall of Fame pitcher with an uncertified in-person signature, offering sentimental value to a Braves fan but limited commercial upside.
Condition Grade
Raw — Appears Excellent to Near Mint (EX-MT 6)
Centering Assessment
Front appears relatively well-centered left-right, but heavily shifted towards the top with minimal top border.
Surface Condition
Surface shows noticeable scratches, particularly visible crossing the upper right field area and slight indentations from signing.
Corner Condition
Corners show mild softness and wear consistent with handling, specifically the top right and bottom left corners.
Edge Condition
Edges are generally clean with minor chipping along the top edge and slight shelf wear.
Print Quality
Standard 1993 Upper Deck print quality with crisp photography and foil-stamped nameplate at the bottom.
Estimated Value
5 to 15 USD raw (value heavily dependent on authentication of the in-person signature)
Comparison to Known Examples
Centering is inferior on the top-bottom axis compared to well-centered factory specimens, and surface condition suffers from handling scratches.
Authentication Tips
Verify the blue sharpie autograph against known exemplars of John Smoltz's signature; check card stock thickness and gloss characteristics typical of 1993 Upper Deck.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for grading through PSA/BGS due to surface scratches, centering issues, and unverified in-person autograph unless authenticated by JSA or Beckett BAS.
Red Flags
The autograph is in-person (IP) and unauthenticated, which is common for signed vintage/junk-wax cards; no signs of trimming or physical alteration.
Provenance Notes
Pulled from standard 1993 Upper Deck hobby or retail wax packs and likely signed in person at a ballpark or card show.
Historical Context
John Smoltz is a Hall of Fame pitcher, Cy Young winner, and a key figure in the dominant 1990s Atlanta Braves pitching rotation.
Market Trends
Stable low-end market for 1990s baseball stars; unauthenticated in-person autographs carry minimal secondary market premium without third-party slab authentication.
Investment Potential
Low investment potential; viewed primarily as a nostalgic PC (Personal Collection) piece rather than an appreciating financial asset.
Similar Cards
Other 1990s Atlanta Braves stars like Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine base and insert cards from Upper Deck and Topps.
Display & Preservation
Store in a penny sleeve and rigid top loader away from direct sunlight to prevent autograph fading and further surface damage.
Interesting Facts
Smoltz is the only pitcher in MLB history to record both 200 wins and 150 saves in a career.