Baseball cards from 1990 can contain some hidden gems that are worth a good amount of money today for collectors. The 1990 set marked the beginning of a new era of baseball cards as the sport was becoming more popular on television nationally and the baseball card industry was booming. Let’s take a look at some of the top baseball cards from 1990 that could be worth investing in or searching your collection for.
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (Upper Deck #1) – This is arguably one of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards ever printed. Griffey was one of the most exciting young players to enter the league in decades and his rookie card captured that. With his sweet left-handed swing and effortless defense in center field, Griffey was a superstar in the making. His rookie card from Upper Deck’s inaugural set is the undisputed heavyweight champion of 1990s cards. High grade versions have sold for over $100,000 and PSA 10 Gem Mint examples have cracked $300,000 at auction. Even well-centered but lower grade copies still command thousands. This is the holy grail for any 1990s baseball card collection.
Frank Thomas Rookie Card (Bowman #156) – “The Big Hurt” announced his arrival in the majors in impressive fashion in 1990. Thomas smashed 51 extra base hits and knocked in 109 runs while batting .317 for the White Sox as a rookie. His rookie card from Bowman is one of the standouts from the set. PSA 10 Gem Mint copies have sold for over $10,000 while PSA 9 Near Mint copies still reach $2,000-3,000. Even worn lower grade examples still hold value in the $300-500 range. Thomas went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie remains a key piece for any collection from this era.
Chipper Jones Rookie Card (Bowman #481) – As a 19 year old, Jones showed flashes of his future stardom by batting .280 with 11 home runs in his rookie season of 1990 split between Single-A and Double-A. His smooth left-handed swing and defensive skills at third base pointed to a future perennial All-Star. His rookie card captured the beginning of what became a surefire Hall of Fame career. High grade PSA 10 versions have reached $4,000 while PSA 9 copies still sell for $1,000-2,000. It’s an iconic rookie card for one of the game’s all-time great switch hitters.
Barry Larkin Rookie Card (Bowman #528) – The smooth-fielding shortstop began what would become a Hall of Fame career by batting .296 with 14 home runs and 66 RBI in his rookie campaign of 1990 for the Reds. Larkin was a five-tool player who won the National League MVP award in 1995. His rookie card remains a key piece for Reds and 1980s/1990s collectors alike. PSA 10 Gem Mint copies have reached over $3,000 with PSA 9 examples still worth $800-1,200. Even worn lower grade copies still hold value in the $150-300 range due to Larkin’s storied career.
Roberto Alomar Rookie Card (Bowman #577) – Alomar broke into the majors in 1988 but his true rookie card is considered his 1990 Bowman issue since that was his first full season in the bigs. In 1990, the slick-fielding second baseman batted .295 with 11 home runs and 50 RBI while winning the first of his 10 Gold Glove awards. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie card remains one of the most iconic and valuable from the 1990 Bowman set. High grade PSA 10 copies have reached over $2,000 with PSA 9 examples selling in the $500-800 range.
Sandy Alomar Jr. Rookie Card (Bowman #616) – The catcher made his debut in 1988 but had his breakout season in 1990 where he batted .295 with career highs of 10 home runs and 69 RBI. His slick defense behind the plate made him an All-Star and Silver Slugger winner that year. His rookie card is a key piece for Cleveland Indians collectors and 1990 Bowman enthusiasts. PSA 10 examples have reached $1,000 with most PSA 9 copies selling in the $300-500 range. It captures the beginning of an outstanding 12-year big league career.
Derek Jeter Rookie Card (Bowman #293) – While Jeter didn’t make his MLB debut until 1995, collectors knew he was a blue-chip prospect coming out of Kalamazoo Central High School in Michigan. His rookie card shows him in a Yankees batting practice jersey as the highly touted shortstop prospect. Even though it predates his rookie season by 5 years, it remains one of the most iconic cards in the hobby. High grade PSA 10 versions have reached astronomical prices upwards of $100,000. Even well-centered PSA 9 copies still sell for $5,000-10,000 due to Jeter’s legendary career and this card capturing him at the beginning. It’s the ultimate short print card to find in a 1990 Bowman box or pack.
Tom Glavine Rookie Card (Bowman #455) – The crafty left-hander broke in with the Braves in 1987 but had his first full season in 1990 where he went 14-8 with a 2.55 ERA and finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting. His rookie card shows him in an Atlanta uniform and remains a key piece for Braves collectors. High grade PSA 10 copies have reached $1,500 with most PSA 9 versions selling in the $400-800 range. It captures the beginning of what became a Hall of Fame career for the lefty.
Greg Maddux Rookie Card (Bowman #479) – Maddux began what would be a legendary career in 1986 but 1990 marked his first season as a full-time starter where he went 18-8 with a 1.56 ERA and finished second in Cy Young voting. His rookie card shows him in a Cubs uniform and remains iconic for collectors. PSA 10 examples have reached over $3,000 with most PSA 9 copies selling between $1,000-2,000. It’s one of the most valuable and recognizable cards from the set as it portrays the start of Maddux’s journey to the Hall of Fame.
Roberto Hernandez Rookie Card (Bowman #537) – Hernandez made his debut in 1989 but 1990 was his first full season where he went 15-12 with a 3.51 ERA for the Indians. His rookie card is a key piece for Cleveland collectors and 1990 Bowman enthusiasts. PSA 10 versions have reached $1,000 with most PSA 9 copies selling in the $300-500 range. Though he had a short major league career, this card captures his early success in the big leagues.
Jeff Bagwell Rookie Card (Bowman #676) – Bagwell didn’t debut until 1991 but collectors knew he was a blue-chip prospect in Houston’s system. His rookie card shows him with the Round Rock Express in the Astros uniform. Even though it predates his rookie season by a year, it remains one of the most iconic cards from the set. High grade PSA 10 versions have reached over $3,000 with most PSA 9 copies selling between $1,000-2,000 due to Bagwell’s Hall of Fame career. It’s a true short print find from 1990 Bowman packs.
The 1990 baseball card market marked the beginning of the modern era. Sets like Bowman, Upper Deck, and Donruss featured the game’s future stars and Hall of Famers. Finding high grade copies of the rookie cards profiled could yield a valuable return for collectors today. Even worn lower grade versions still hold value due to the popularity and nostalgia for 1980s and 90s cardboard. The 1990 season was a launching pad for some of baseball’s all-time greats and their rookie cards are sure to remain iconic for decades to come.
