The 1991 Fleer baseball card set marked the 30th anniversary of Fleer’s involvement in the baseball card industry. While not as iconic or valuable as some other years, the 1991 Fleer set featured several young stars and future Hall of Famers that have become highly desirable cards over the years. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable 1991 Fleer baseball cards collectors seek out today.
Perhaps the most noteworthy rookie card from the 1991 Fleer set is that of Frank Thomas, known as “The Big Hurt.” Thomas went on to have a Hall of Fame career hitting 521 home runs and driving in 1,704 runs over 19 seasons. In mint condition, Thomas’ rookie card still fetches prices over $100. The card features Thomas in a White Sox uniform on the front with career statistics on the back from his time in the minors. Due to his elite talent and lengthy career, this rookie remains a valued piece for any collection.
Another star rookie card from 1991 Fleer is Ken Griffey Jr. who also went on to have a legendary career. Nicknamed “The Kid,” Griffey Jr. appeared on 2,313 total bases, hit 630 home runs, and won 10 Gold Glove Awards over a magnificent 22-year career. His card shows him swinging from the left side in a Mariners uniform. Pristine, near-mint copies can sell for well over $200 today thanks to Griffey’s iconic status. It’s considered one of the better rookie cards from the early 90s basketball era.
Two future Hall of Fame starting pitchers also had their rookie cards in the 1991 Fleer set. One is Greg Maddux, who won four Cy Young Awards and racked up 355 career wins over 23 big league seasons. His card depicts “Mad Dog” in a Chicago Cubs uniform. Graded mint copies can demand $80-$100. The other is Tom Glavine, who won two Cy Youngs of his own while notching 305 victories for the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. His card is more affordable but still sought after by collectors today.
The 1991 Fleer set also featured talent from the late 1980s such as the “Nasty Boys” relievers from the Cincinnati Reds. Norm Charlton, Randy Myers, and Rob Dibble were in the midst of their dominant run and their cards are relics from that dominant Reds bullpen era. Dibble’s card typically fetches the highest price around $50 in top condition due to his intimidating pitching style and 100 mph heat. The “Nasty Boys” cards together make for a fun period piece for any Reds collection.
One of the biggest stars of 1991 was Toronto Blue Jays slugger Joe Carter. That season, he led the American League in home runs with 36 en route to winning the All-Star Game MVP. His dominant performance has made his ‘91 Fleer card a desired piece for Jays fans and 90s collectors alike. Near-mint copies can sell for $40-50. Speaking of powerful Blue Jays, Dave Winfield also had his last baseball card included in this set. The 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer is depicted in Toronto’s powder blue uniforms.
The set also captured another future Hall of Famer and then-active superstar in Roberto Alomar. The second baseman had just come off a season where he hit .318 for the San Diego Padres with 43 stolen bases. His slick fielding and batting prowess led to the card being a highlight for Padres collectors. Over 25 years later, copies still demand $25-35 depending on condition. Fellow all-star infielder Bip Roberts of the San Diego Padres also had one of the nicer looking cards from this pastel-colored Fleer design.
While stars and future Hall of Famers garner the most attention, the 1991 Fleer set also provided the baseball card introductions of Jeff Bagwell, Moises Alou, and Terry Mulholland. All three had breakout rookie seasons in 1990 that led to their inclusion in Fleer’s first batch of cards. Bagwell would go on to have a decorated career with the Houston Astros, so his 1st year card naturally holds value today at $60-80. Alou and Mulholland had respectable MLB tenures as well, keeping their rookie cards moderately collectible for Astros and Phillies fans respectively.
While not the most iconic or highly graded vintage set, the 1991 Fleer baseball card release contains a nice mix of young stars and future Hall of Famers still found in collections today. Rookie cards of Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey Jr., and Jeff Bagwell continue to be the costliest pulls. But cards of established all-stars like Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter as well as future standouts like Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine ensure this 30-year old product remains relevant in the collecting community. For fans and investors, selected 1991 Fleer cards represent accessible relics from the exciting early 90s era of baseball.
