The 1994 Score baseball card set was one of the most iconic and valuable sets of the 1990s. Released at the height of the baseball card boom, the 1994 Score set featured some of the biggest stars and rookies of that era. While it did not have the same level of flashy photography and design as some other ’90s sets, 1994 Score cards have stood the test of time due to the quality of the players featured and the historical significance of that baseball season. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout cards from this classic set.
Ken Griffey Jr. was already one of the biggest stars in baseball in 1994 coming off back-to-back AL MVP awards in 1990-1991. His 1994 Score card truly captured Junior in his absolute prime. The simple yet iconic image shows Griffey unleashing a mighty swing with his trademark smooth left-handed stroke. This was the year Griffey would win his third consecutive Gold Glove and make his 6th All-Star team in 7 seasons played. His 1994 Score card in a PSA 10 gem mint condition can fetch over $1000 today, a true testament to Griffey’s star power and the quality of this particular card image.
Another superstar who had one of the defining cards of the 1994 Score set was Frank Thomas. Like Griffey, Thomas’ image perfectly encapsulated why he was one of the most feared hitters in baseball. His hulking 6’5, 240 pound frame is coiled and ready to unleash with a ferocious swing. 1994 would be Thomas’ first of back-to-back AL MVP awards as he slugged .353 with 38 home runs and 101 RBIs. High grade copies of his 1994 Score card have sold for over $500, making it one of the most valuable non-rookie cards from the set.
While stars like Griffey and Thomas dominated the 1994 season, one of the biggest stories was the emergence of pitching phenom Greg Maddux. After winning the NL Cy Young in 1992 and 1993 with the Braves, Maddux took his game to an even higher level in 1994. His 1994 Score card shows “Mad Dog” in the windup, capturing his smooth, effortless delivery that was so deceiving to hitters. Maddux would go on to win his third straight Cy Young in 1994 by leading the league in wins (16), ERA (1.56), and strikeouts (195). High grade versions of his card can reach $200-300 prices today.
The 1994 rookie class was also one of the best ever, headlined by future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones. His iconic 1994 Score rookie card shows a fresh-faced Jones from his days with the Double-A Greenville Braves. Jones would make his MLB debut late in the 1994 season before becoming a perennial All-Star and the cornerstone of the Atlanta Braves for the next 18 seasons. High grade copies of Chipper’s rookie card in a PSA 10 are worth $1000-1500 today, a true indicator of how beloved and respected he became both on and off the field.
Another can’t-miss rookie from 1994 Score was Dodgers shortstop Nomar Garciaparra. His dynamic, crouched batting stance was perfectly captured on his rookie card from his days in the Pawtucket Red Sox system. Garciaparra would be named AL Rookie of the Year in 1997 after batting .306 with 30 doubles and 18 home runs. While injuries slowed his career, Nomar remained a fan favorite for his all-out playing style. Near-mint to gem mint copies of his 1994 rookie card sell in the $150-300 range today.
The 1994 season was also a special one for baseball as it marked the final season before the infamous players’ strike that would cancel the World Series. As such, cards from stars on the dominant teams of that season carry extra nostalgia and significance. For example, the cards of eventual 1994 NL MVP Jeff Bagwell (.368, 39 HR, 116 RBI for the Astros), pitching ace Greg Maddux (16-6, 1.56 ERA for the Braves), and slugging rookie Frank Thomas (.353, 38 HR, 101 RBI for the White Sox) will always resonate with fans and collectors as representing the “last hurrah” before baseball took a dark turn.
The 1994 Score baseball card set was truly a special one that has stood the test of time. Between future Hall of Famers, MVPs, Rookies of the Year, and stars from the last “normal” season before the strike, the 1994 Score set has it all. High grade versions of cards like Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, Greg Maddux, Chipper Jones, and Nomar Garciaparra will always be highly sought after by collectors. While it may lack the flash of some other sets, 1994 Score captured baseball at the absolute peak of its popularity. For both historical significance and star power featured, it is surely one of the best and most valuable mainstream sets from the junk wax era.
