The 1990 Leaf baseball card Series 2 was the second of two series released that year by Leaf Trading Card Company as part of their baseball offerings. It was a 150 card set that was released mid-season to capitalize on continued baseball card popularity and feature rookie cards and updated stats for players from the beginning of the 1990 season.
Leaf had entered the baseball card market in 1989 with competitive sets that aimed to take market share from industry leaders Topps and Fleer. Their 1990 offerings built on this initial foray and Series 2 helped Leaf remain relevant by covering what was happening on the diamond during the season. The set had a mix of veteran stars, rising talent, and prospects still making their way in the big leagues.
Some of the top rookies featured in the 1990 Leaf Series 2 set included slugging first baseman Willie McGee of the Oakland A’s, who hit 23 home runs that season. Another was pitcher Paul Wagner of the Cincinnati Reds, who went 6-7 with a 4.11 ERA as a starter in his debut campaign. Outfielder Alex Cole of the Chicago White Sox also had his rookie card, though he only played in 17 games in 1990.
Other prospects still developing included pitcher David Nied of the Houston Astros, who had a 5.40 ERA in 17 appearances in his first MLB action. Infielder Russell Branyan also had his rookie from the California Angels, though he didn’t debut in the bigs until 1991. Pitchers Adam Pettyjohn of the Chicago Cubs and Carl Everett of the Chicago White Sox also were included as prospects to watch.
Veteran talent featured in the Series 2 set showcased the biggest stars across MLB at the time. Dennis Eckersley’s card led off the set as the dominant closer for the Oakland A’s who had an MVP 1990 season. Other offensive standouts with cards included Kirby Puckett, whose 1990 season was cut short by injury but remained one of baseball’s best, and Cincinnati’s Barry Larkin, coming off his first All-Star appearance.
Pitching aces included Nolan Ryan, in his final MLB season split between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros, Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox fresh off back-to-back Cy Young awards, and Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets looking to rebound from injury plagued 1989. Fellow Mets starter David Cone and Atlanta Braves hurler Tom Glavine, both on the rise, also made the set along with Detroit’s Jack Morris.
Other veterans of note included sluggers Eddie Murray of the Los Angeles Dodgers and George Brett of the Kansas City Royals in what would be the future Hall of Famer’s final season. Outfielders Darryl Strawberry of the Mets and Eric Davis of the Reds were included while still in their prime. Catcher Benito Santiago’s card recognized his emergence for the Padres and infielders Ozzie Smith, Cal Ripken Jr., and Wade Boggs remained defensive stalwarts.
The design of the 1990 Leaf Series 2 cards featured a cleaner and more colorful look than the prior year. Players were shown in crisp color action photos on a white background with team logos across the top. Statistics like batting average, home runs, and ERB were listed on the bottom along with career highlight stats. The back of each card included a headshot photo and more biographical info as well as career stats.
While not as iconic as the designs from Topps, the visuals of the 1990 Leaf Series 2 set were bright and conveyed the energy of America’s pastime. Roster updates, rookie debuts, and star players made it a desirable mid-season product for collectors seeking the latest on the 1990 MLB campaign at card shops. It helped Leaf carve a niche and stay competitive amongst the larger sports card publishers.
In the decades since, the 1990 Leaf Series 2 baseball card set has become a nostalgic piece of sports memorabilia recalling the stars and prospects of that baseball season. Rookie cards like Willie McGee remain of interest to collectors while stars of the era like Kirby Puckett, Nolan Ryan, and Barry Larkin make the set a valued part of anyone assembling complete team and player collections from the early 1990s. Its mid-season release format also marked an innovative approach for Leaf to stay engaged with fans throughout the year. While no longer in production today, the 1990 Leaf Series 2 endures as a retrospective look back at a time of change in baseball cards and the sport itself during a pivotal year.
