The 1990 Fleer baseball card set was one of the most iconic issues of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Fleer had been producing baseball cards since 1956 but the 1990 set is still remembered fondly by many collectors today. The design featured bold colors and photography that really made the players pop off the card. Fleer also included some of the game’s biggest stars who were entering their prime in 1990. Here are some of the most noteworthy rookie and star player cards from the 1990 Fleer set that have stood the test of time:
Ken Griffey Jr: Arguably the most coveted rookie card from the 1990 Fleer set is that of Ken Griffey Jr. Many consider Junior to be one of the most talented five-tool players of all time and his rookie card showcased his immense skills. The card features a close-up portrait of Griffey with his signature hat slightly crooked, foreshadowing his flair and swagger on the field. High-grade versions of this card still fetch thousands of dollars to this day. Griffey went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie card from Fleer in 1990 is one of the most iconic in the modern era.
Frank Thomas: Like Griffey, Frank Thomas’ rookie card from the 1990 Fleer set portrays one of the game’s all-time great hitters. Thomas is pictured from the chest up showcasing his muscular physique that would soon be nicknamed “The Big Hurt.” Thomas went on to dominate MLB hitting for both average and power throughout the 1990s. He won back-to-back MVPs in 1993 and 1994. High quality Thomas rookies from 1990 Fleer continue to appreciate in value.
Roberto Alomar: While not quite as expensive as the Griffey and Thomas rookies, Roberto Alomar’s 1990 Fleer rookie card is still a highly coveted issue. Alomar enjoyed a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Blue Jays and Orioles and was known for his slick fielding at second base and ability to consistently hit for average. His rookie card featured him in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform, foreshadowing his early success with that franchise.
Barry Bonds: Arguably a more pivotal player card than his rookie, Barry Bonds’ 1990 Fleer card shows him entering his physical prime in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. Bonds would go on to have one of the greatest careers in MLB history and this card captured him in that transition stage. While not quite his rookie, Bonds’ 1990 Fleer is still a highly sought after issue by collectors today.
Nolan Ryan: One of the true icons of the game, Nolan Ryan’s 1990 Fleer card is a standout despite not being his true rookie issue either. By 1990, Ryan was pitching for his 5th franchise, the Texas Rangers, but was still in the midst of his incredible career. The card features “The Ryan Express” wound up and ready to fire. It’s one of the most visually appealing cards from the 1990 Fleer set.
Rickey Henderson: Like Ryan, Rickey Henderson’s 1990 Fleer card wasn’t technically a rookie card either after nearly a decade in the big leagues. But it remains one of the most iconic of Henderson who was already a prolific base stealer and one of the game’s most exciting players by 1990. The card features Henderson’s signature high socks and aggressive style on the basepaths.
Other notables from the 1990 Fleer set include a young Tom Glavine as a member of the Atlanta Braves, the first Ken Griffey Sr. card featuring him with his soon-to-be famous son, and Dennis Eckersley as a dominant closer for the Oakland A’s. The photography, colors and subject matter on these cards helped cement the 1990 Fleer baseball issue as one of the most revered in the modern era, even after 30 years. While the junk wax era was underway, this set managed to capture iconic players who are still remembered today.
While overproduced at the time in the early 1990s, Fleer’s 1990 baseball card set endured to become a favorite of collectors due to the quality of its photography and subjects featured. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Griffey, Thomas and Alomar lead the way, but iconic veterans like Ryan, Henderson and Bonds also received memorable portrayals. The bold colors and crisp photos give these cards a timeless quality. Even after three decades, the 1990 Fleer baseball set remains both nostalgic for those who collected it as kids but also retains significant collector interest and monetary value for the hobby’s top rookies and stars.
