The 1990 Fleer baseball card set was one of the most iconic releases from the company during the junk wax era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While sets from that time period are not particularly valuable now due to the massive print runs, there are still some standout cards from 1990 that any collector would want in their collection. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best Fleer cards from that year.
One of the most coveted rookie cards from 1990 Fleer is the Ken Griffey Jr. card. Griffey was already establishing himself as a budding superstar in his second MLB season with the Seattle Mariners in 1990. His smooth left-handed swing and effortless style of play made him a fan favorite. The Griffey rookie card captured him in action during the prime of his career. While it holds significantly less value than his more scarce 1989 Upper Deck rookie due to the larger print run, the 1990 Fleer Griffey is still a highly sought after card among collectors today given his legendary career. PSA 10 Gem Mint copies can sell for thousands.
Another rookie card that holds up in value from the 1990 Fleer set is the Frank Thomas rookie. Thomas burst onto the scene with the Chicago White Sox in 1990 and immediately proved he was a force to be reckoned with by winning the AL Rookie of the Year award and finishing fourth in AL MVP voting. His rookie card shows him batting right-handed and captures the start of what became a Hall of Fame caliber career. Like Griffey, Thomas’ 1990 Fleer rookie remains a key piece for any collection even if it’s not as valuable as some of his other more limited rookie offerings.
While rookie cards tend to garner the most attention, there are also several star player cards from 1990 Fleer that stand out. One of the most iconic is the Nolan Ryan expressionless close-up card. Ryan was already a legend by 1990 in his final MLB season, and this card perfectly captures his intense focus and competitive fire that allowed him to dominate on the mound well into his 40s. The card artwork is so memorable that it remains one of the most identifiable from the entire junk wax era.
Another excellent star player card is the Rickey Henderson card where he is stealing a base head first. Henderson was a human highlight reel on the basepaths and this card captures one of his many daring stolen base attempts. He was also in the midst of a record-setting stolen base season with the Oakland A’s in 1990, taking home the AL MVP award. The action shot and Henderson’s brazen style of play make this one of the most exciting cards from the set.
In terms of team cards, the 1990 Fleer set featured some fantastic artwork for several clubs that resonate with collectors to this day. One of the best is the Detroit Tigers team card which shows the old Tiger Stadium in all its glory, along with players posed on the field. The nostalgic look back at the historic ballpark coupled with stars like Alan Trammell and Cecil Fielder on the team makes this a standout card for any Tigers fan.
The Chicago Cubs team card is also highly coveted. It depicts Wrigley Field on an overcast, windswept day with ivy on the walls and fans in the bleachers. The vintage Wrigley Field vibe has made this one of the most iconic Cubs cards ever released. Even though the 1990 Fleer set as a whole does not carry huge values, cards like this that perfectly capture the tradition and nostalgia of the teams remain highly sought after decades later.
While the 1990 Fleer set as a whole does not carry huge monetary value today due to the massive print runs from the junk wax era, there are still several standout cards that any collector would love to own. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas maintain relevance, as do iconic star player and team cards featuring the likes of Nolan Ryan, Rickey Henderson, and perfect depictions of Tiger Stadium and Wrigley Field. For any fan of 1990s baseball cards, these Fleer gems deserve a place in the collection.
