The 1990 baseball card season was one of the most memorable in the modern era. Led by superstars like Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, and Jose Canseco, the 1990 offerings featured some of the most iconic rookie cards and veteran standouts from that memorable year in baseball history. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the best baseball cards from the 1990 season.
Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck RC (1990 Upper Deck #1) – Widely considered the most iconic and valuable baseball card of all-time, Griffey’s rookie card from 1990 Upper Deck set the standard. His smooth left-handed swing and effortless athleticism made him an instant star from day one in the majors. The Griffey RC featured crisp photography and a classic design that still holds up today. PSA 10 Gem Mint copies have sold for over $100,000, showing just how beloved this card remains.
Frank Thomas Score RC (1990 Score #634) – As one of the most feared power hitters of the 1990s, Thomas burst onto the scene by winning the 1990 American League Rookie of the Year award. His rookie card in Score, which pictured him kneeling and showcasing his muscular physique, became a highly sought after card. PSA 10 copies have sold for over $10,000, a true testament to Thomas’ Hall of Fame caliber career.
Nolan Ryan (1990 Score #1) – At age 43 in 1990, Ryan was still overpowering hitters on a regular basis as a member of the Texas Rangers. His iconic Score card, which featured an action shot of him unleashing a 100 mph fastball, captured one of the game’s most intimidating players at the peak of his legendary career. Even in PSA 8 condition, this all-time great’s card can fetch over $100 due to his popularity and status as baseball’s career strikeout king.
Barry Bonds Upper Deck RC (1990 Upper Deck #91) – While not as iconic as the Griffey RC, Bonds’ rookie card was still a highly sought after find in 1990 packs. His muscular 6’1, 195 pound frame and five-tool talent was on full display in his Upper Deck issue. Years later, as the controversy surrounding steroids arose, this card took a hit in value. For its historical significance as one of the first glimpses of the game’s future home run king, it remains a highly valuable rookie card.
Ken Griffey Sr. (1990 Upper Deck #110) – Griffey Sr. was in his late 30s in 1990 but still hitting over .300 for the Seattle Mariners. His sharp looking Upper Deck card that year, which showed him from the chest up in a Mariners uniform, was a popular pull. It was made even more special because it directly preceded his son Ken Jr.’s rookie card in the set. For fans of father-son duos in baseball history, this card remains a fun piece of memorabilia.
Roberto Alomar Score RC (1990 Score #629) – One of the smoothest fielding second basemen of all-time, Alomar burst onto the scene in 1990 by winning both the Rookie of the Year award and a Gold Glove. His Score rookie card, with its action shot of him fielding a ground ball, highlighted why he was so special with the glove from day one. Even in low grades, this card still fetches over $100 due to Alomar’s impressive career.
Candy Maldonado Upper Deck RC (1990 Upper Deck #90) – While Maldonado didn’t have the career many expected, his rookie card remains a key piece of the historic 1990 Upper Deck set. Featuring a head shot of the power hitting third baseman for the Minnesota Twins, it was a popular pull at the time. Today PSA 10 copies can sell for over $1,000 due to its low print run and place within the set right before Barry Bonds’ RC.
Jose Canseco Score (1990 Score #5) – The first 40/40 player in MLB history, Canseco was the game’s premier power hitter in 1990. His Score card, with a flexing action shot, perfectly captured his muscle bound physique and no-doubt home run power. Even years later as his reputation took hits, this card remains popular for baseball fans who remember Canseco’s electrifying play and status as one of the first superstars of the steroid era.
Roberto Clemente (1990 Topps Traded #T87) – A touching tribute card released the year after Clemente’s tragic death, this card showed an action photo of the Pirates’ great outfielder with “In Memory Of” below his name. One of the most popular cards that year for collectors remembering baseball’s first Latino superstar, it gained added significance years later when Clemente was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1973. Even in low grades, this card retains value for any Pirates or Clemente collection.
Sandy Koufax (1990 Topps #90) – One of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history, Koufax’s retirement in 1966 made any card of his after that time more valuable for collectors. The classy 1990 Topps issue showed him in a Dodgers uniform from the waist up with a serious expression. It was a fitting tribute to Koufax’s incredible career and status as one of the games’ all-time great lefties on the mound. Higher graded copies can sell for over $100 due to his enduring popularity.
Nolan Ryan Upper Deck (1990 Upper Deck #110) – In addition to his iconic Score card, Ryan also had a highly popular issue in 1990 Upper Deck. This card captured him mid-delivery, all arm and legs, showcasing how he was still overpowering hitters at an advanced age. While not quite as valuable as some other cards on this list, it remains a key piece for any Ryan collection given his unparalleled career achievements as baseball’s true “Iron Man.”
The 1990 season produced some of the most iconic baseball cards of the modern era. Featuring legendary veterans, star rookies who would go on to greatness like Griffey Jr. and Alomar, and larger than life personalities from the steroid era like Canseco, the 1990 offerings had something for every type of collector. Years later, many of these cards still hold their value and remain widely sought after by those who remember that special year in baseball.
