The 1990 Score baseball card set was one of the most highly anticipated releases of the decade. Coming off several exciting seasons and some big player moves, there was plenty of buzz around the rookie cards and star players that would be featured. While it didn’t have flashy design aesthetics compared to some other brands, Score focused on quality photography and capturing the essence of that baseball season. Let’s take a look at the 10 most valuable and desirable cards from the 1990 Score set as collectibles today.
Coming in at number 10 is Kirby Puckett’s base card. Puckett was already an established star by 1990, having just finished 5th in MVP voting the previous year while leading the Twins to the division. His outstanding career would continue for several more seasons. Puckett’s smooth left-handed swing and Gold Glove defense in center field made him a fan favorite. While not his most valuable card, his 1990 Score issue remains a solid pickup for any Puckett PC due to his Hall of Fame career. Grading a PSA 10, it sells for around $150-200 presently.
At number 9 is Jose Canseco’s rookie card. Canseco had just exploded onto the scene in 1988 by winning Rookie of the Year and the MVP award while leading the league with 42 home runs in his debut season. His prodigious power striking ability was must-see TV for fans. Though injuries would slow his career trajectory, Canseco’s hype and dominance as one of the first true blue-chip rookies of the steroid era gives his rookie card lasting appeal. A PSA 10 example can bring in roughly $250-$300 in the current market.
Cracking the top 8 is Nolan Ryan’s base card. Ryan was already a living legend by 1990 at age 43, holding numerous all-time pitching records. His amazing longevity and intimidating 100 MPH fastball made him a fan favorite for over two decades. While not one of his more valued rookie cards, Ryan’s inclusion in the 1990 Score set is a reminder of his incredible career. A PSA 10 of this card would sell in the $300 range based on recent eBay sales.
At number 7 is Barry Bonds’ MVP season card from 1990. That season, Bonds posted eye-popping numbers of .301 batting average, 33 home runs, 114 RBI and finished 2nd in MVP voting for the Pirates. Though the card doesn’t feature his true Rookie Cardinals, this was an early testament to Bonds emerging superstar abilities before his record-setting career with the Giants. A PSA 10 could fetch $350-400 in the current trading market.
Cracking the top 5 at number 6 is Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie card. The son of former player Ken Griffey Sr, all of baseball was eager to see the skills of the young Griffey in 1990. And he didn’t disappoint, batting .264 with 16 homers and 47 RBI in his debut season before winning Rookie of the Year honors. Widely considered one of the most talented five-tool players ever, Griffey Jr. was a thrill to watch from the beginning. In high grades, his rookie card remains amongst the most desirable and valuable from the era, with a PSA 10 example reaching well over $1,000.
At number 5 is Rickey Henderson’s base card from 1990. Already a prolific base stealer with over 300 in his career to that point, Henderson was still in his prime stealing bases at will for the A’s. Regarded as the greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner of all time, Henderson exemplified exciting, game-changing baseball. His 1990 Score issue celebrates that dynamic playing style. A PSA 10 could bring in around $500-600 today.
Cracking the top half of the list at number 4 is Frank Thomas’ rookie card. Nicknamed ‘The Big Hurt,’ Thomas announced his arrival in the majors by batting .318 with 21 home runs and 70 RBI, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting. His powerful left-handed swing and ability to spray line drives to all fields foreshadowed a Hall of Fame career hitting for both power and average. High grade examples of his flagship rookie card remain a blue-chip acquisition, with a PSA 10 selling for $750-1000.
At number 3 is Ken Griffey Jr.’s 1990 Upper Deck rookie variation card. Considered the true Griffey rookie by collectors, it depicts him in a Mariners batting stance from his debut season. Printed in the ill-fated Upper Deck set which suffered from poor quality control, high grade versions remain among the most valuable modern sports cards. In a PSA 10 gem mint state, it can sell for over $10,000 due to its amazing eye appeal and place in history as “the” Griffey rookie.
Cracking the top 2 slots is Nolan Ryan’s record-setting 5,000th strikeout card from the 1990 Score Traded set. On August 22, 1989, Ryan became the first and still only pitcher to reach the 5,000 career strikeout milestone. This historic achievement is immortalized on this coveted card. In top condition, it can sell for upwards of $15,000-$20,000 at auction due to its very limited print run and celebration of one of baseball’s most unbreakable records.
And coming in at number 1 is Frank Thomas’ 1990 Bowman rookie card variations. Considered the true prize of Thomas collectors, the short printed Bowman variations are the rarest and most iconic Frank Thomas rookie cards. They show a more close-up image of Thomas in a Blue Jays batting stance from early in his career. Extremely difficult to grade high due to poor centering and print quality issues from Bowman at the time, a PSA 10 is virtually unobtanium. Even residing in PSA 9 condition, they have sold at auction for well over $30,000 before due to their rarity and importance in the Thomas rookie collection.
While not all of baseball’s best from 1990 are encapsulated here, this list provides a sampling of some the most historically significant and valuable cards from that release. Players like Cal Ripken Jr, Dwight Gooden, and Roberto Alomar who also had excellent seasons could easily make outroswn lists. But the cards of Thomas, Griffey, Ryan and others show why the 1990 Score set launch pad for new stars and captured the past achievements of baseball greats remains such an important release for collectors today. High grades of these cards represent some of the best long term investments in the hobby.
