The 1991 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most popular releases of the early 1990s. While it didn’t feature the same star rookies as the rookie card boom years of the late 1980s, it still contained many young stars and Hall of Famers in the early stages of their careers. Let’s take an in-depth look at the top cards from the 1991 Donruss set and their estimated current values.
The biggest star and most valuable card from the 1991 Donruss set is Ken Griffey Jr.card #1. Widely considered one of the best all-around players of all-time, Griffey was already well on his way to superstardom in 1991 in just his third MLB season. His smooth left-handed swing and Gold Glove caliber defense made him a fan favorite. In near mint to mint condition, Griffey’s rookie card now fetches between $80-120. Higher graded copies in the PSA 8-10 range can sell for $300-700+.
Another young star making a name for himself in 1991 was Roberto Alomar. The smooth-fielding second baseman joined the Toronto Blue Jays that year and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. Alomar’s card #72 from the 1991 Donruss set sells for around $15-30 in average condition. Higher graded copies in the PSA 8-10 range can bring in $50-150 due to Alomar’s elite skills and popularity.
Two future Hall of Famers that were just entering their primes in 1991 were Barry Larkin and Ryne Sandberg. Larkin, card #143 in the set, often goes for $5-10 in average shape but can reach $30-50 in higher grades. Sandberg’s #201 card retails around $4-8 and $20-40 graded. Both were perennial All-Stars and upheld the image of the shortstop and second base positions.
Sluggers like Gary Sheffield (#111) at $3-8 and Will Clark (#157) at $2-5 also hold solid value from the 1991 Donruss set as dynamic offensive forces of the era. Sheffield enjoyed a long 19-year career batting over .292 while Clark was a feared run producer for the Giants teams of the late 80s and early 90s.
Frank Thomas began making his impact felt in 1991 with the White Sox. “The Big Hurt” won the American League ROY and his card #245 typically sells in the $3-10 range. Higher grades can exceed $20. Catching legend Mike Piazza’s rookie card #249 checks in at $2-5. He wouldn’t join the Dodgers until the next season but collectors love Piazza rookie cards.
Moving into more mid-range value cards, Dennis Eckersley’s #6 stands out. As the dominant closer of the late 80s and early 90s, Eckersley’s scarcity and on-field dominance give his 1991 Donruss a $2-5 average price tag. Fellow reliever Lee Smith’s #66 is also a steady $2 card due to his 478 career saves at the time.
Dodgers ace Orel Hershiser’s #155 remains a respectable $1-3. He was still basking in the glow of his record 59 consecutive scoreless innings in 1988. Veterans like Wade Boggs (#7, $1-2), Andre Dawson (#36, $1), and Nolan Ryan (#177, $1) found steady demand as well-known stars of the era for collectors.
Some other notable but more common players that sell around $1 or less include shortstop Cal Ripken Jr.(#11), first baseman Mark McGwire(#12), catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. (#34), third basemen Paul Molitor (#35) and Chris Sabo (#58), outfielders Darren Daulton (#46), Rickey Henderson (#79), and Kirby Puckett(#80), and pitchers Roger Clemens (#91), Greg Maddux (#138), and Tom Glavine (#151).
The 1991 Donruss baseball card set remains a fun and relatively affordable vintage release for collectors. While it lacks some of the superstar rookie cards of the late 80s, you still have opportunities to build a set or target particular stars from the early 90s for investment potential down the road as they near the Hall of Fame. For a mid-range vintage issue, values remain quite steady and accessible for most collectors.
