The 1995 Score baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable card issues from the early and mid-1990s. While it didn’t feature any major rookie cards, the 1995 Score set contained several key veteran cards that have grown tremendously in value over the past 25+ years. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable cards collectors seek out from the 1995 Score baseball release.
Ken Griffey Jr. – Griffey was already established as one of the game’s biggest stars by 1995, having won back-to-back American League MVP awards in 1990-1991 with the Seattle Mariners. His superb talent, outstanding production, and exciting style of play made him one of the most popular players in baseball. As a result, any Griffey card from the mid-90s holds significant value. His 1995 Score card, featuring him in a Mariners uniform, routinely fetches well over $100 in Near Mint-Mint condition. PSA/BGS Gem Mint 10 examples have reached prices upwards of $400-$500 in recent years due to Griffey’s Hall of Fame career and status as one of the all-time fan favorite players.
Cal Ripken Jr. – Ripken was in the midst of his incredible consecutive games played streak in 1995, which would end at an astonishing 2,632 straight games played over almost two full decades. That milestone, achieved in 1995, is part of what makes his 1995 Score card so desirable today. The card depicts Ripken suited up for the Baltimore Orioles and has sold for as much as $80-$100 graded Mint and above. Like Griffey, Pristine/Gem Mint Ripken ’95 Score cards have sold for $300+ due to his iconic status and Iron Man legacy with Baltimore.
Barry Bonds – As one of the game’s premier power hitters throughout the 1990s, Bonds’ 1995 Score card holds great value. This was prior to his record-setting 73 home run season in 2001 with the Giants, but Bonds was still putting up MVP caliber numbers as the star left fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. His ’95 Score card routinely fetches $60+ in top-rated condition. Bonds’ historically successful career, which included the all-time home run record, only adds to the long-term collectible nature of his mid-90s cards.
Roberto Alomar – The smooth-fielding second baseman was a consistent All-Star caliber player throughout his career, including the mid-90s with the Toronto Blue Jays and Orioles. His 1995 Score issue shows him in a Baltimore uniform about halfway through his 12-year career. Graded Mint Alomar ’95 Scores have reached over $50 recently. Despite some controversy later in his career, Alomar remains one of the finest defensive second basemen ever and that further enhances the desirability of his vintage cardboard.
Frank Thomas – “The Big Hurt” was in the midst of one of the great offensive runs in baseball history during the mid-1990s. He followed up back-to-back AL MVP awards in 1993-1994 with another monstrous season in 1995. That sustained dominance makes his 1995 Score card, portraying him as the power-hitting Chicago White Sox first baseman, a highly sought card to this day. Thomas examples graded Gem Mint 10 have reached $150-200 auction prices. Even raw or lower grade Thomas ’95 Scores can fetch $30-50.
Larry Walker – Though he wouldn’t earn mainstream recognition for quite some time, Walker was putting up huge numbers as the Montreal Expos right fielder during this time period. His combination of power, speed, defense, and consistent production has only grown in appreciation since Walker’s playing days ended in 2005. As a result, his 1995 Score card featuring him in an Expos cap has increased dramatically in value in recent vintage card market. Mint Walker ’95 Scores have sold for $75-100 range in recent auctions. That figure is likely only to increase as Walker’s Hall of Fame case strengthens over time. A rare PSA 10 example could go for $250 and up.
Greg Maddux – Already during what was the peak of his incredible career, the dominant right-handed ace was in the midst of potentially his finest season in 1995. Maddux would go on to win his third-straight NL Cy Young Award courtesy of another outstanding year for the Atlanta Braves. As one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, the 1995 Score card of Maddux has become one of the more valuable pitching cards from the era. BGS/PSA Mint examples have sold for $60-80, with Gem Mint 10s reaching triple digits or more.
Chipper Jones – While not quite an established star yet, rookie cards from the 1990s of future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones are always highly sought. His 1995 Score card shows him just starting out as the promising Atlanta third baseman still with promise yet to be fulfilled. Chipper examples graded Mint to Gem Mint can still be acquired for $30-50. As one of the genuine superstars of his generation, prices are only expected to increase for iconic Jones rookie cards like his 1995 Score issue in the years ahead.
Randy Johnson – “The Big Unit” had asserted himself as one of baseball’s most intimidating and dominant pitchers by 1995 with Seattle. Standing an imposing 6-foot-10, left-hander Johnson was already displaying the filthy stuff that would make him a five-time Cy Young winner. Although not his true rookie card, Randy’s 1995 Score depiction as a Mariner is highly valuable today. Graded examples have reached $60-80 on the vintage card market. As one of the all-time great hurlers, Johnson cards retain their collectibility.
While they may not rival the true rookie cards of Griffey, Ripken or Alomar for monetary value, the 1995 Score cards for stars like Maddux, Thomas, Bonds, Walker, Jones and Johnson are extremely affordable opportunities to acquire lasting pieces of cardboard history from the 1990s for under $100 graded Mint or better in most cases. For collectors looking to build positional subsets, certain 1995 Score cards like those of Alomar, Ripken and Bonds represent affordable options to highlight their collections. Whether speculating on long-term growth or enjoying the nostalgia of the vintage designs, cards from Score’s popular 1995 release will likely continue garnering interest from collectors for decades to come.
