The 1991 Score baseball card set marked the beginning of new era in the hobby. While Topps had long been the king in the baseball card industry, Score debuted in 1991 as an innovative competitor eager shake things up and attract collectors with flashier designs and unique parallels. The 1991 Score set in particular featured some tremendous rookie cards and stars on the rise that have stood the test of time as highly coveted investment pieces for collectors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable 1991 Score baseball cards that continue to attract huge sums at auction today.
Perhaps the crowning jewel of the entire 1991 Score set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of if not the greatest rookie cards of all-time, the Griffey Jr. card showcases “The Kid” in his poised batting stance wearing his iconic Seattle Mariners uniform. What makes this card so desirable, other than featuring one of the game’s most gifted five-tool players in his inaugural professional season, is its scarcity and stunning condition. PSA 10 mint examples of the Griffey Jr. rookie routinely sell for well over $10,000 today when they come up for auction. The card’s iconic image, coupled with Griffey’s otherworldly talent and status as a fan favorite, cemented this as one of the hobby’s true blue chip investments long before Junior’s Hall of Fame career was over.
Another phenom making his pro card debut in 1991 was Toronto Blue Jays star Roberto Alomar. While not quite in the same tier of rarity as the Griffey, the Alomar rookie is still a coveted pickup for collectors. Examples in top PSA 10 condition have still sold for upwards of $1,000 due to Alomar’s dual 10 time All-Star selection and reputation as a smooth fielding second baseman. Like Griffey, the Alomar rookie depicts a poised player in their starting uniform poised for greatness. Toronto fans in particular prize this card as a representation of one of the franchise’s early superstars.
The Chipper Jones rookie is another gem from 1991 Score that takes on new value with each passing year. As the longtime Atlanta Braves third baseman marches closer to a Hall of Fame induction, his rookie card seems to gain in esteem right along with him. While not quite in Griffey or Alomar territory, PSA 10 examples can still pull in $500-800. What makes the Chipper especially appealing is it shows him as a fresh-faced 19-year-old, foretelling how he would become the face of Braves baseball for nearly two decades. This is a perfect card for any Braves collector to have in their collection.
Besides rookies, the 1991 Score set also highlighted many established names that would go on to have Hall of Fame careers. One of the most coveted veteran cards is that of Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Pat Hentgen. In 1991, Hentgen won both the American League Cy Young Award and earned an All-Star selection while leading the Jays pitching staff. His PSA 10 card sells for $300-500 depending on conditions due to his excellent season and the rarity of high grade examples surviving from this popular but overproduced set.
Another star pitcher featured prominently in 1991 Score was Cincinnati Reds flamethrower Rob Dibble. Following a breakout 1990 season where he set the single-season saves record, Dibble’s 1991 Score issue shows him in the midst of his dominant years as the Reds’ closer. PSA 10 copies can still pull in $150-250 with bidding wars occasionally driving the price higher. Dibble never did achieve the sustained success of some of his peers, but his image retains appeal among Reds collectors and 1990s card aficionados.
While stars on the rise like Griffey, Alomar and Chipper Jones grab the headlines, savvy collectors know to also consider highly graded examples of veterans at the tail end of great careers. One such underrated card is that of Houston Astros first baseman Glenn Davis. In 1991, Davis was still in his late prime coming off multiple 20+ home run seasons in Houston. PSA 9-10 examples of his Score issue can be acquired for $75-150, a relative bargain considering Davis’ stellar career .270 average and strong power numbers. The Astros logo and colors POP on this specific issue.
Perhaps no 1991 Score card garners more attention among set builders than the ultra-rare Oscar Azocar SSP parallel. Azocar was a light-hitting utility player for the Cleveland Indians and Padres in the early 90s, but his Score SSP (Stadium Club Select parallel) is the stuff of collecting legend. Numbered to only 100 copies, PSA 10 Azocar SSP cards when they surface in auction bring astronomical returns upwards of $2,000. The card’s ridiculous scarcity and “holy grail” status for 1991 Score completists is what drives the huge sums. While very few collectors actually land one of these parallels, its lore as one of the rarest modern cards continues to grow.
While 1991 Score lacked the brand prestige of Topps at the time, it did introduce some genuinely valuable rookie cards and parallels that have stood the test of time. Three decades later, the Ken Griffey Jr. and Chipper Jones are universally heralded rookie card classics, while highly graded issues of stars like Alomar, Hentgen, Dibble and Davis can still be found (relatively) affordably by savvy collectors. Then there’s the mystery and allure of elusive chase cards like the Oscar Azocar SSP parallel that represents the true high-end of this beloved 1991 set. For both investment potential and nostalgia factor, 1991 Score cards remain a fun avenue to explore for players and investors alike.
