The 1991 Donruss baseball card set is notable for featuring some of the biggest baseball rookie cards of the early 1990s. Issues in 1991 Donruss rookies hold significant value due to the star players who debuted that year. Some key rookies from the 1991 Donruss set include Ken Griffey Jr., Tom Glavine, Bobby Hansen, and Mariano Rivera. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top rookies from this vintage baseball card release and explore factors that contribute to the high demand and value these cards carry over 30 years later.
Ken Griffey Jr. is widely considered the crown jewel of the 1991 Donruss rookie class. Cards featuring the talented young outfielder, known for his fluid swings and athletic plays in the outfield, command top dollar to this day. Griffey Jr. was the number one overall draft pick in 1987 and joined the Seattle Mariners in 1989 at just 19 years old. He immediately showed superstar potential and posted a .644 slugging percentage in his rookie season of ’91. Naturally, his Donruss rookie card, featuring crisp action photography of his left-handed batting stance, is one of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards ever made. In top PSA 10 condition, examples can sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Even well-centered copies in PSA 8 still carry values in the thousands.
Tom Glavine enjoyed a Hall of Fame worthy career mostly spent with the Atlanta Braves, but it began with his rookie season for the Mets in 1991. The left-handed pitcher notched 15 wins in his debut effort. Glavine’s Donruss card from that year remains among the most coveted pitching rookie cards around. Like Griffey Jr., it uses crisp action photography highlighting his windup and delivery. Top graded PSA 10 copies are rare and can sell for thousands as well. Its popularity and demand make it an important piece for any collection focused on star 90s rookies or Braves cards from their dynasty era.
While not household names today like Griffey Jr. and Glavine, Bobby Hansen and Mariano Rivera also debuted in the majors in 1991 and have rookie cards in Donruss deserving of attention. Hansen, an outfielder, played five seasons mostly with the Baltimore Orioles but showed early promise by hitting .261 in 107 games his first year. His rookie card remains scarce in high grades like PSA 10. Rivera, of course, went on to become the all-time saves leader playing for the Yankees from 1995-2013. His lone season as a starting pitcher in 1991 featured a 3-3 record and 93 strikeouts in 80 innings for the Bronx Bombers. Considered one of the greatest relief pitchers ever, his Donruss rookie as a starter holds appeal for collectors. Both Hansen and Rivera cards can sell for hundreds or low thousands depending on condition.
Beyond flagship rookies, the 1991 Donruss set featured other notable young talents in Chipper Jones, Mo Vaughn, Derek Jeter, and more in their base rookie cards. For investment cards, special parallels offer added rarity and appreciation potential. Perhaps the crown jewel among these is Griffey Jr.’s autographed rookie alternative card, limited to only 100 copies. Even raw ungraded examples of this ultra-rare parallel can sell for tens of thousands. Other chase cards include the Griffey Jr. Desert Storm parallel commemorating Operation Desert Storm, Glavine’s Black parallel printed on black cardstock, and special embossed parallels of the top rookies. These alternative cards hold immense value even compared to the standard rookie issue.
When assessing condition, the same PSA and BGS third-party grading standards apply to 1991 Donruss as with other vintage releases. Centering, corners, edges and surface all factor significantly into the final numerical grade. With the passage of over three decades since issue, high grades above a PSA 8 are quite tough to obtain for most examples. Demand for pristine near-mint rookie cards remains intense given their historical significance. While the set featured overviews of all 26 MLB teams at the time, focus for collectors today is clearly on acquiring the finest rookie gems in the attractive yet understated Donruss design from ’91.
The 1991 Donruss baseball card set holds a very special place in the history of the hobby due to the star-studded rookie class it debuted. Headlined by future Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. and Tom Glavine, along with notables Bobby Hansen and Mariano Rivera, the cards remain relevant and highly sought after collectibles more than 30 years later. Whether in the form of standard rookies, autographed parallels, or specialty inserts, examples continue to attract enormous prices when available in top condition. For baseball card investors and enthusiasts focused on the early 1990s era, the 1991 Donruss release should not be overlooked.
