1998 Upper Deck is a 751-card set issued in three series of 270, 270 and 211 cards. The third series is officially known as the "Rookie Edition." As a unique addition, each card fronts features game dated photographs of some of the season's most memorable moments.
The following subsets are contained within the set: History in the Making (1-8/361-369), Griffey's Hot List (9-18), Define the Game (136-153), Season Highlights (244-252/532-540/748-750), Star Rookies (253-288/541-600), Postseason Headliners (415-432), Upper Echelon (451-459) and Eminent Prestige (601-630). The Eminent Prestige subset cards were unintentionally short-printed (approximately 1:4 packs) and Upper Deck offered a free service to collectors trying to finish their sets whereby 18 random Eminent Prestige cards were mailed to collectors who sent in proof of purchase of one-and-a-half Rookie Edition boxes.
There are two different versions of 681. About half the cards depict Mike Piazza as a New York Met while the other half commemorate Piazza's one week stint as a Florida Marlin. The Rookie Edition Series set is considered complete with both versions.
Notable Rookie Cards include Gabe Kapler and Magglio Ordonez.