The 1991 Score baseball card series 2 is one of the most popular and iconic sports card releases of all time. Following the success of the flagship Score brand’s 1991 series 1 release earlier in the year, series 2 maintained the traditional large size format Score was known for while continuing to feature some of the biggest names and rising stars in Major League Baseball.
Released in the early summer of 1991, series 2 came on the heels of the start of the regular baseball season. As with series 1, the checklist was made up entirely of current Major Leaguers but in series 2 collectors were treated to visual snapshots from the early part of the season. Many of the players were pictured in their team’s road grey or alternate uniforms, giving card enthusiasts an early look at some of the new designs that were emerging in the early 90s.
The base cards in series 2 again featured quality photography on thick cardboard stock. Close-up headshots of the players remained the norm but there was increased diversity in the backgrounds and settings compared to many earlier Score issues. Star players received multiple base card variations, including Miguel Tejada who had an impressive five distinct base cards showcasing him with the Oakland Athletics. Randy Johnson’s overpowering pitching motion was captured perfectly on one of his three base cards.
As with Score’s established template, parallel insert sets provided the inserts and chase cards in 1991 series 2. The ‘Diamond Kings’ parallel honored the games elite players by dressing them in glittering diamond-encrusted uniforms on a brilliant silver foil background. Accompanied by their batting statistics and accomplishments, members of the inaugural Diamond Kings class included Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken Jr., Wade Boggs, and Ozzie Smith.
Following up on the popular ‘Studio’ photographic variations introduced in series 1, series 2 carried on the ‘Studio Portraits’ theme. Presented in glamorous Hollywood-style headshots, these black and white static cards increased the already immense star power of the release. Honus Wagner and Babe Ruth made unforgettable ‘guest appearances’ in the the Studio Portraits set beyond their actual MLBP careers.
Continuing its expansion beyond baseball, Score also included parallel football, basketball, and hockey subsets within 1991 series 2. The ‘League Leaders’ insert spotlighted star NFL rushers, point guards, and goal scorers alongside their similarly elite MLB counterparts. An ultra-short printed ‘League Leaders – Gold’ parallel further attracted collector chase demands.
Perhaps the most significant and valuable parallel from series 2 remains the coveted ‘Gold Mine’ set. Featuring premier talents like Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey Jr., and Fernando Valenzuela, these golden foil cards drew rarer still at one per pack. With eye-catching graphics and scintillating player photography amid genuine 24k gold foil, the Gold Mine parallels established an instant mystique and cache upon release that persists to this day.
Beyond the inserts, other notable short prints and parallels from 1991 Score series 2 include the ‘Tiffany Dodgers’ variations highlighting LA stars, ‘Diamond Notes’ story cards, and ‘Record Breakers’ recognizing milestones. Oddball variations like Derek Bell’s error card missing his team designation added to the excitement of each pack ripped.
Scoring extremely well both critically and commercially upon its 1991 release, Score series 2 cemented the brand’s place atop the baseball card hierarchy through quality, star power, and coveted chase cards. Featuring a who’s who of MLB in the early 90s, from Cal Ripken and Frank Thomas to Gregg Jefferies and Chuck Knoblauch, the visuals, consistency with sister series 1, and parallel subsets made it a true collector’s set for the ages. To this day, a complete factory set in graded mint condition can command prices well into the thousands of dollars. Individually, key parallels like Gold Mine and Diamond Kings continue to bring top dollar at auction.
Three decades later, 1991 Score baseball card series 2 still resonates strongly with collectors both casual and diehard. Its iconic large size format, dynamite photography, and ultra-short prints laid important foundations for the insert chase card model that persists today. For capturing a specific moment in the early 90s MLB season so perfectly through world class sports card production, series 2 deserves its place among the most cherished and valuable modern issues in the hobby. Whether collecting for appreciation of the visuals and players alone or long-term value investment, 1991 Score baseball series 2 was truly a high water mark for the entire industry.
