The 1991 baseball season saw notable accomplishments and rookie debuts that made for some incredibly collectible baseball cards from that year. As the baseball card collecting hobby continued to boom in the early 1990s, the 1991 set featured many future Hall of Famers and stars that would go on to have legendary careers. For collectors three decades later, here are some of the top 1991 baseball cards to keep an eye out for.
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (Fleer) – Widely considered one of if not the most iconic rookie card of all-time, Griffey’s rookie is a must-have for any collection. Fleer wisely put “The Kid” on the very first card in the set (#1). Griffey would go on to have a career for the ages and his rookie is one of the most valuable from the 1990s, often fetching thousands of dollars even in low grades.
Cal Ripken Jr. (Fleer) – Ripken was coming off winning the AL MVP award in 1991 for breaking Lou Gehrig’s streak of 2,130 consecutive games played. Any Ripken card from the early 1990s holds value as collectors realized they were watching an inner-circle Hall of Famer. His Fleer card shows him in the batting cage.
Tom Glavine Rookie Card (Fleer) – Glavine debuted in 1987 but 1991 was the first year he appeared in Fleer as he was breaking out as one of baseball’s best young pitchers. He’d go on to win two Cy Young awards and be integral to the Atlanta Braves dominance. Finding his rookie in good condition is a challenge but worthwhile.
Donruss Elite Series – This high-end Donruss insert set featured some of the biggest young stars and included rookie cards and photo variations that are in high demand. Look out for Jim Abbott, Gregg Jefferies, Juan Gonzalez, and Dennis Martinez amongst others in this subset.
Roberto Alomar Rookie Card (Donruss) – Like Ripken, Alomar was entering his prime in 1991 as a perennial All-Star and Gold Glover at second base. His smooth swing and defensive prowess translated to a desirable rookie card that holds value for Blue Jays collectors.
Mark McGwire (Fleer) – Before the emergence of the home run chase in 1998, McGwire was already one of the game’s top power hitters. His Fleer card highlights that with a snapshot of him launching a home run. It gains more significance in hindsight of his record-breaking season seven years later.
Chad Curtis Rookie Card (Donruss) – Admittedly not a true superstar, Curtis’ rookie is a fun relic from the early 90s Pirates teams. This agile outfielder broke in with Pittsburgh in 1991 and his Donruss RC has become more scarce to find in high grade over the years.
Frank Thomas Rookie Card (Score) – “The Big Hurt” made his debut in 1990 but his excellent 1991 season, where he hit .270 with 21 homers, put him on the map as a future slugging great. His Score rookie captures that with a close-up of his intimidating left-handed swing.
Gregg Jefferies Rookie Card (Donruss) – At just 19-years-old in 1991, Jefferies electrified baseball with a .321 average and 19 home runs as an NL Rookie of the Year finalist for the Mets. Injuries slowed his progress but his rookie card is a nice one for Mets PC collectors.
Roberto Kelly Rookie Card (Score) – Overshadowed by other rookies, Kelly debuted with the Red Sox in 1991 and was a versatile defender and base stealer in his early years. His Score RC is a bit tougher to find than others from that year’s rookie class.
Ben McDonald Rookie Card (Fleer) – The first overall pick from the 1989 draft, McDonald made his first appearance in Fleer after a meteoric rise through the minors. He showed flashes for the Orioles but injuries hampered his career – his RC remains a key piece for O’s collectors.
John Kruk (Score) – The “Wild Thing” was a perennial All-Star throughout the 1990s fueled by his unconventional style and clutch hitting for Philadelphia. Score captured Kruk’s gritty approach perfectly on his 1991 offering.
Wally Joyner (Donruss) – As a prolific run producer for the Angels, Joyner’s sweet left-handed swing made him a favorite of collectors on the West Coast. His vertical Donruss photo highlights his productive 1991 season.
Dennis Martinez Perfect Game Card (Fleer) – On July 28, 1991, Martinez twirled the season’s only perfect game as a member of the Montreal Expos. Fleer commemorated the achievement with a special card of El Presidente in his windup.
While the 1991 set lacked some true superstar rookie cards compared to 1989 or 1993, it featured many players entering their primes who would go on to great careers. Combined with valuable variations and parallel inserts, savvy collectors can still find desirable gems from the 1991 season in the hobby today. Tracking down stars like Griffey, Ripken, and McGwire in particular will keep collectors eager to add classic pieces of cardboard history to their collections.
