The 1990 Score baseball card set has produced several valuable and sought after cards over the past 30 years. The 1990 Score set was the flagship baseball card offering from Scoreboard, Inc. that year and featured 762 total cards including rookie cards, stars, and Hall of Famers. While it didn’t receive the hype of sets like 1989 Upper Deck or 1990 Topps at the time, some 1990 Score cards have proven to be excellent long term investments. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the standout 1990 Score cards that hold significant value today.
Perhaps the most coveted and expensive 1990 Score card is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was already a star in 1990 after winning rookie of the year honors the prior season, but his rookie card from Score took on a special mythic status over the years. With its bright yellow and teal border design along with Griffey’s boyish smile, the card became iconic for collectors of his generation. In pristine mint condition, the Griffey Jr. rookie now regularly sells for well over $1000 and there is often big competition when graded gem mint examples cross the auction block. The card saw a huge spike in demand after Griffey’s election to the Hall of Fame in 2016 and remains one of the most historically significant rookie cards in the sport.
Another hugely valuable Score rookie is the Edgar Martinez card. Martinez quietly put together a Hall of Fame career primarily as the Seattle Mariners designated hitter, but his offensive prowess was often overshadowed on the national stage. His rookie card was largely overlooked for many years but has gained more attention from collectors as Martinez’s stats and accomplishments have become better appreciated. High grade versions of the Martinez 1990 Score rookie can sell for $500 or more today. What’s interesting is that the smaller printed Score set is now often a more affordable option for collectors chasing this rookie compared to counterparts from larger mainstream ’90 releases.
Rookie cards of Jeff Bagwell and Larry Walker also hold substantial value from the ’90 Score set, routinely selling in the $200-300 range for top conditioned copies. Both went on to have outstanding careers and are recognized as two of the better all-around players of the ’90s, making their rookie cards quite sought after today.
Veteran star cards are no slouch either from this Score release. Ken Griffey Sr.’s career encompassed four different decades but collectors still desire his highly pictorial 1990 card where he is pictured from a low vantage point taking an aggressive swing in the batter’s box. Well preserved copies in the neighborhood of $75-100 can be found.
A personal favorite bargain from the set is the 1990 Score Kirby Puckett card. Puckett made six All-Star teams in the ’80s for the Twins and was in the prime of his career in 1990 when this card was issued. Despite his name recognition, the Puckett remains very affordable even in mint condition at $10-15. It features a closeup portrait of “Puck” with an intense, determined glare that really captures his competitive fire – a great card for the price.
Rickey Henderson also has a visually appealing 1990 Score issue where he is diving headfirst into a base. “Hendu” was arguably the best pure thief in baseball history and his electrifying style of play translated perfectly to cards from this era. High grade copies regularly sell for $50-75.
Looking beyond rookies and stars, one of the bigger under-the-radar gems from the ’90 Score checklist is a card featuring Dodgers pitcher Ramon Martinez. The card pictures Ramon in a partial underarm windup with an intense facial expression. Graded mint copies have increased in value significantly in recent years to $75-100 now. Martinez’s career statistics may not jump off the page but this card has great nostalgia and eye appeal that collectors really respond to.
Lastly, two other relatively affordable key cards in the set are the Nolan Ryan ($20-30) and Cal Ripken Jr. ($15-25) issues—both depicting the future Hall of Famers in classic action player poses. Ryan was still actively overpowering hitters as a 43-year old in 1990 while Ripken was in the midst of setting the MLB record for consecutive games played. Their vintage stars power and mystique translate well to the collectibles market even after all these years.
While it may not have the glitz of some other ’90s releases, the 1990 Score baseball card set holds its own in terms of valuable vintage cardboard, specifically rookie sensations like Griffey Jr. and Martinez. With vivid photography, designs still holding up today, and heavy-hitting names both young and old, this set remains an appealing option for investors and enthusiasts of the era. With patience and a watchful eye on trends, hidden gems like the Ramon Martinez can also be unearthed within the checklist at affordable prices. The 1990 Score maintains an authenticity and iconic energy that keeps collectors coming back after all this time.
