The 1990 Leaf trading card set featured some of the biggest stars and rookies in Major League Baseball. Like many sets from the late 1980s and early 1990s, the designs and photography featured in Leaf’s 1990 offering provided a perfect snapshot of the players and era. While it did not feature as large of a number of cards as competitor brands like Topps and Donruss, the 1990 Leaf set contained some highly coveted rookie cards and stars at the peak of their powers that have stood the test of time.
One of the true icons of the late 80s and early 90s featured prominently was Chicago Cubs first baseman Mark Grace. As theNL batting champion in 1990, Grace’s card showcased his smooth left-handed swing and sweet smile at the plate. His card would become one of the most desired for Cubs collectors of the time. Another potent NL West bat featured was San Diego Padres third baseman Gary Sheffield. Just entering his prime in 1990, Sheffield’s card featured an action shot of his smooth right-handed swing that would launch him to three All-Star appearances and over 500 career home runs.
Sticking in Southern California, the Anaheim Angels rookie sensation Chuck Finley also had an iconic 1990 Leaf card. His over-the-top windup motion is on full display, showcasing the talent that would lead him to more than 200 career wins and over 2700 strikeouts. The California talent did not stop there, as Oakland A’s first baseman Mark McGwire’s hulking physique and left-handed batting stance made his rookie card a highly sought after item at the time and beyond. McGwire would go on to crush 583 career home runs, many as one of baseball’s preeminent power hitters alongside St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark II, Sammy Sosa.
Though those 1980s stars shone bright in the Leaf set, perhaps no card resonated more for collectors at the time and beyond than young Seattle Mariners starter Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie card. Captured in mid-swing from the left side of the plate, Griffey Jr’s smooth, effortless stroke previewed a career that would see him smash 630 home runs and become the true face of baseball alongside Michael Jordan in the 1990s. Widely considered one of if not the most iconic baseball card of all-time, Griffey Jr’s 1990 Leaf rookie has become a sensation on the collectibles market.
While stars like Griffey, McGwire, and Finley headlined the rookie card portion of the 1990 Leaf set, established veterans and future Hall of Famers were also prominently featured. Two of the game’s preeminent power pitchers, Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, were both included. Ryan’s imposing windup and Clemens’ leg kick motion were captured mid-delivery in their respective cards. Both hurlers continued terrorizing hitters with triple-digit heat well into their late 30s and 40s.
Over in the NL, the stingy Cincinnati Reds pitching staff was well represented. Right-hander José Rijo, coming off a year where he finished 19-8 with a 2.41 ERA, stared down hitters with steely focus in hisLeaf card. Meanwhile, fireballing closer Rob Dibble let loose one of his blazing fastballs in a card that previewed a dominant career out of the Reds pen. Dibble would go on to save 97 games despite only pitching five full seasons. The New York Mets also featured prominently thanks to catcher Gary Carter. In his final season with the Mets before joining the expansion Florida Marlins, Carter crouched behind the plate with his trademark intensity on display.
In addition to the sheer star power featured, Leaf’s 1990 MLB set also contained a variety of technological innovations that stayed cutting edge for its time. A significant portion of the cards contained custom Sepia photo variations that gave them added visual pop compared to competitors. Meanwhile, special “Signature Edition” autograph versions were inserted of superstar cards like McGwire, Clemens, and Rijo. The autographs added immense value to an already coveted parallel. Leaf also experimented with innovative “Action Frame” designs that highlighted different areas of certain cards in a foil-like printed embellishment.
While it did not achieve the same mass-production size as brands like Topps, the 1990 Leaf MLB set resonated hugely with collectors upon release and in the decades since. It perfectly captured the stars and rookies that defined baseball in the late 80s and early 90s. Iconic rookie cards like Ken Griffey Jr, Chuck Finley and Mark McGwire take center stage alongside veteran Hall of Fame talents like Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens. Special parallels, autographs and meticulous photography continue to make the 1990 Leaf set a highly sought after vintage release to this day for both casual fans and serious collectors alike.
