The 1991 Donruss Series 2 baseball card set was the second series of cards released by Donruss that year. While Series 1 featured plenty of rookie stars and Hall of Famers, Series 2 is often overlooked despite containing several valuable and sought after rookie cards. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable 1991 Donruss Series 2 baseball cards.
One of the true gem rookies from the set is Jeff Bagwell’s card. Bagwell went on to have a stellar 15-year career with the Houston Astros that landed him in the Baseball Hall of Fame. His dominance at the plate made him a fan favorite in Houston. Bagwell’s rookie card in the 1991 Donruss Series 2 set wears his uniform from the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, the Astros’ AAA affiliate at the time. In gem mint condition, ungraded Bagwell rookies can fetch $200-300 dollars but PSA 10 copies have sold for over $1,000. The card captures Bagwell on the cusp of his emergence as a superstar.
Another rookie from the 1991 Donruss Series 2 set that has only increased in value is Kenny Lofton’s card. Lofton bounced around to several teams over his 17-year career but was a defensive wizard and base stealing machine wherever he played. He racked up over 600 stolen bases for his career primarily with the Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite never winning a stolen base title, Lofton was always among the league leaders. His rookie card shows him in an Indians uniform and has steadily gained recognition as one of the premier rookie cards from the early 90s. High grade Lofton rookies in PSA 10 condition have sold in excess of $1,000 as well.
While not quite as heralded as Bagwell or Lofton, Eric Milton’s rookie card has found a nice home in collections as well. Milton pitched 11 seasons in the big leagues between 1998-2008 primarily with the Minnesota Twins but also spent time with the Phillies, Reds and Orioles. While he never lived up to being a top 5 draft pick, Milton had moments of brilliance throughout his career. His rookie card wears a Twins affiliate uniform from the Class A Visalia Oaks. PSA 10 copies have changed hands for $400-500 in recent years showing the rise this card has achieved. It remains one of the more affordable gems from an otherwise pricey set.
Staying within the realm of pitching rookie cards, Pat Rapp’s first Bowman card also emerges as a valued piece from the 1991 Donruss Series 2 set. Rapp enjoyed an 11-year MLB career primarily as a reliever for the Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies from 1992-2002. He finished with a respectable 86-75 record and 4.49 ERA. Rapp’s rookie card shows him in Expos gear and brings back memories of those underrated Montreal squads of the early 90s. In PSA 10 condition, this card has sold in the $500 range, making it one of the strongest pitching rookie investment options from the set long term.
The 1991 Donruss Series 2 set also features the rookie card of one of the game’s all-time great power hitters. That would be none other than Jim Thome’s first card released during his time in the Phillies’ farm system. Thome mashed 612 career home runs between 1991-2012 with the Phillies, Twins, White Sox, Dodgers and Orioles. From 2002-2005, he led the AL in home runs each season for a four year stretch. Thome made five All Star appearances and finished top five in MVP voting three times. His swing and sheer dominance at the plate has endeared him to fans of the teams he played for over two decades. Near mint to mint Thome rookies still hover around $75-100 dollars. PSA 10 specimens have reached $400-500 showing there is still room for growth.
Continuing on the theme of future Hall of Fame power hitters, the ’91 Donruss Series 2 set contains the premiere rookie card of Frank Thomas, affectionately known as “The Big Hurt” during his glorious 19-year career spent entirely with the Chicago White Sox. Thomas owns a career .301 batting average with 521 home runs, 1,704 RBIs, two MVP awards and led the league in on-base percentage five times. He was the heart and soul of many competitive Sox teams throughout the 90s. Thomas’s rookie card shows him sporting White Sox duds. Pristine PSA 10 copies have sold for $800-1,000 in recent times, but scarce PSA 9 examples have gone higher, signaling the strength this key rookie card possesses long term.
Wade Boggs is widely considered one of the greatest contact hitters in baseball history. His 12-time All Star career spanned from 1982-1999 primarily with the Boston Red Sox but also the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Boggs won five batting titles and compiled a mighty .328 career average to along with 2,275 hits. Fittingly, the 1991 Donruss Series 2 set contains Boggs’ final rookie card sporting a Yankees uniform, capping his illustrious playing days. Near mint to mint Boggs rookies trade in the $50-100 range today. Top graded PSA 10 specimens have surpassed $400 showing the level of desirability collectors still attach to the hit king’s final cardboard appearance nearly 30 years later.
On the managerial side, one of the set’s idiosyncratic cards is Bobby Valentine’s inaugural managerial issue. Valentine skippered the Texas Rangers, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox between 1985-2012. While his managing career had its ups and downs, Valentine is widely respected as an innovator and one of the game’s great strategic minds. His ’91 Donruss manager card in a Rangers uniform adds some amusement to any collection. Solid condition examples can usually be acquired for $30-50 depending on demand. Clearly Valentine remains a cherished figure in baseball circles nearly a decade after his retirement further substantiating this quirky issue long term.
Last but certainly not least is a real oddball find in the 1991 Donruss Series 2 collection, Dwight Smith’s minor league action shot sporting a Peoria Chiefs uniform from the St. Louis Cardinals system. While Smith did reach the majors from 1988-1998 primarily with Baltimore, Detroit and Kansas City, accruing a respectable .267 average with 101 home runs, his career trajectory fell well short of expectations after being a first round draft pick that year. Even so, his intriguing rookie action photo has resonated especially with Cardinals diehards nostalgic for that era of the franchise’s farm program. High grade examples can be had for under $50 still providing hope for Smith card fanciers. Overall his minor league issue helps complete the comprehensive encapsulation of the 1991 Donruss Series 2 rookie class.
In closing, while often overshadowed by flashier sets of the era like Topps or Bowman, the 1991 Donruss Series 2 release deserves its place among the most memorable and investment worthy of the early 90s. Featuring a virtual who’s who of future Hall of Fame talent like Bagwell, Thomas and Boggs along with breakout all stars like Lofton, Milton and Rapp, its depth is exemplary. Not to mention rare finds like Valentine’s manager debut and Smith’sfarmhand action shot add character. Whether completing a player collection or building a rookie card investment portfolio, ’91 Donruss Series 2 stands out nearly 30 years later as one of the true gems from baseball’s exciting postwar boom period.
