The 1991 Score baseball card set featured many young star players who were just starting their MLB careers. This was a great year for rookie cards as talent like Jim Thome, Brad Ausmus, and Bob Hamelin debuted at the major league level and had their rookie cards included in Score packs. The class of ’91 rookies in Score provided a glimpse of future all-stars and hall of famers.
Jim Thome debuted with the Cleveland Indians in 1991 and had card #624 in Score. Even as a rookie, Thome showed immense power potential by hitting 16 home runs. He would go on to smash 612 home runs in his career, which places him 8th all-time. Thome’s rookie card is one of the iconic cards from the early 90s as collectors knew they had a potential superstar on their hands. High grade copies of his ‘91 Score RC in mint condition can fetch well over $100 today.
Another star slugger to debut in ‘91 was Mark McGwire with the Athletics on card #276. While he only hit 5 home runs in his rookie campaign due to limited playing time, McGwire broke out the following season by leading the league with 49 long balls. Collectors recognized his raw power made him an exciting commodity. Pristine copies of his Score RC in mint condition have sold for over $300 given his fame from breaking the single season home run record.
Roberto Alomar had one of the best rookie seasons of any second baseman in MLB history. He won both Rookie of the Year and Gold Glove awards while hitting .290 for the San Diego Padres in ‘91. Alomar’s defensive abilities and hitting prowess made him a star right away. His #251 Score RC is one of the more sought after cards from the set due to his Hall of Fame career. High grade examples can sell for well over $150.
Dennis Eckersley had already been a 20 game winner earlier in his career, but 1991 marked his first season with the Athletics where he truly established himself as a lights-out closer. Eckersley saved 48 games and posted a minuscule 1.61 ERA to win the AL Cy Young and MVP awards, becoming the first reliever to ever win both prizes. His dominance and unique achievement made his #419 1991 Score RC very coveted. Near mint copies can be found for around $100-150.
while catcher Javy López didn’t make his MLB debut until 1993, collectors were high on his potential after he posted a .313 batting average with 23 home runs in AA ball in 1991 at just 19 years old. His aggressive approach and prodigious power for a backstop generated buzz. The #512 card in Score was Lopez’s first card released and a sign of things to come as he would slam 305 career home runs. high grade copies in mint condition sell for $75-100.
Omar Vizquel also debuted in the majors in ‘91 but didn’t receive much fanfare, getting just 31 at-bats for the Seattle Mariners. Collectors were impressed by the slick-fielding shortstop’s talents with the glove and hitting approach in the minors. He would go on to become one of the best defensive infielders ever while playing for 24 seasons. The #600 Score RC undervalued his eventual fame and success, with respectable near mint editions selling for $40-60 based primarily on his reputation.
Among the many 1991 Score rookie cards featuring players who went on to great careers like Larry Walker (#550 RC), David Justice (#424 RC), and Chuck Knoblauch (#304 RC), one of the more unexpectedly productive players was pitcher Brad Ausmus. Although he posted an uninspiring 4.97 ERA in his debut season splitting time between the pitchers mound and catching for the Astros, Ausmus became an 18 year veteran backstop. Now retired and a manager, near mint copies of his #622 Score RC can be found for around $30 given his longevity and prominence in the game for decades.
Catching prospect Bob Hamelin cracked the majors in 1991 after hitting .298 with 16 homers and 99 RBI in AA ball but didn’t receive much playing time. Collectors were taking fliers on his prodigious power and hitting abilities shown in the minors. Hamelin never panned out, appearing in just 13 big league games. But his #627 1991 Score RC remains a unique and collectible piece of cardboard for fans of obscure players that presented potential. Even graded copies can sell for under $20.
The 1991 Score baseball card set featured a strong rookie class headlined by future Hall of Famers like Jim Thome and Roberto Alomar. Collectors that obtained and held onto these rookie cards recognized they had pieces of history populated by budding superstars. The ‘91 Score rookies still resonate with fans today and provide a sense of nostalgia for the early 90s baseball era that launched the careers of many all-time great players.
