The 1991 Leaf Baseball card set was one of the most iconic releases of the early 1990s. While not as large in size compared to some other brands at the time, Leaf packed their 132-card base set with major stars and young prospects. Upon its release in 1991, this set became hugely popular with collectors both for its photography and its memorable rookie cards. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best and most valuable cards collectors could find in a pack of 1991 Leaf Baseball 30 years ago.
Perhaps the most famous and sought-after card from the 1991 Leaf set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the best rookie cards of all time, the Griffey captured his smooth left-handed swing perfectly. Even as a 21-year old rookie, you could see “The Kid” was destined for greatness. This card has only increased in value over time, as Griffey went on to have a Hall of Fame career. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples of this card now sell for thousands of dollars. Any Griffey Jr. collector needs this iconic rookie in their collection.
Another hugely valuable rookie card is the Chuck Knoblauch found in the 1991 Leaf set. Knoblauch burst onto the scene for the Minnesota Twins in 1991 and was named AL Rookie of the Year. His smooth fielding and speed made him an instant star. The photography on his Leaf rookie shows him fielding a ground ball and captures his athleticism perfectly. PSA 10 examples of this card can fetch over $1000. It’s not the Griffey Jr. level of valuable, but the Knoblauch rookie remains a key card from the set.
For Cardinals fans, one of the best cards they could pull was the Ozzie Smith. Not only was Smith already a defensive wizard and fan favorite by 1991, but the photography on this Leaf card is incredible. It shows the back of Smith’s distinctive stance at shortstop with his arms out waiting for a throw. This card captured what made Smith so unique and it remains one of the most visually appealing baseball cards ever. High grade versions still sell for well over $100.
Younger collectors may not realize it, but the Nolan Ryan featured in 1991 Leaf was actually Ryan nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career. ButLeaf captured lightning in a bottle with this card. It shows Ryan mid-windup, his long hair flowing back as he unleashed another 100 MPH fastball. The intensity in Ryan’s face is perfect. For older collectors who saw Ryan’s dominance, this card brought back great memories. Even in a PSA 8, it can sell for $50-75 based on nostalgia alone.
The 1991 rookie class was also loaded beyond just Griffey and Knoblich. Collector’s could find the rookie cards for future all-stars like Jeff Bagwell, Tom Glavine, and David Justice. While not in the same league as Griffey’s in terms of value, high grades of the Bagwell and Glavine rookies can still sell for $100-200 today. The Justice is a bit more affordable but still a key rookie to find from the set.
In terms of star power, collectors in 1991 could pull cards featuring the likes of Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Kirby Puckett, and Roger Clemens among many others. But one of the best inserts was the “Top Guns” parallel set highlighting the games biggest sluggers. Rips of the Jose Canseco or Mark McGwire “Top Guns” parallels were sure to excite any collector. Even in lower grades, these inserts carry premiums over the base cards today.
When it came to photography, 1991 Leaf also didn’t disappoint. Beyond the aforementioned cards highlighting Ozzie Smith and Nolan Ryan, the set featured incredible action shots. Cards like the Dennis Eckersley or Jack Morris captured the intensity of big moments on the mound. Bats like the Will Clark or Bobby Thigpen got across their raw hitting or pitching abilities in crisp photos. Even 30 years later, the photography remains some of the most memorable in the entire hobby.
In the end, the 1991 Leaf Baseball set gave collectors a perfect storm of stars, rookies, and incredible photography all in one release. While production numbers were not as high as other brands that year, the 132-card checklist packed a punch. For players like Griffey Jr., Knoblauch, Bagwell and more – collectors found their first glimpses in the big leagues in the pages of this set. When combined with classic veterans and parallel inserts, 1991 Leaf became a true time capsule of the sport from that season. To this day, it remains one of the most beloved releases from the early 90s boom.
