1990s throwback cards for each team

August 6th, 2021

Earlier this year, we asked fans and MLB.com staff to submit their favorite baseball cards in a survey to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Topps, and we have been sharing the best of them each week. This week, we took a look at some 1990s throwbacks, always a fun group of cards to thumb through. So here's a look at a '90s throwback card for each team:

American League East

Blue Jays: Paul Molitor, 1995 Donruss

Molitor spent most of his career elsewhere, but when he got to Toronto in 1993, he had a big season to help the Jays win the World Series for the second straight year. More >

Orioles: Jose Mesa, 1992 Topps

Yes, Mesa pitched for the Orioles. But this card is all about the hair. More >

Rays: Fred McGriff, 1998 SkyBox Dugout Access

When you think former All-Stars who played for the Rays late in their careers, McGriff's name is at the top of the list. More >

Red Sox: Mo Vaughn, 1990 Topps

Before he became known as the "Hit Dog," Vaughn was a Red Sox rookie. But that doesn't mean his biceps weren't huge then, too. More >

Yankees: Don Mattingly, 1991 Donruss

"Donnie Baseball" was on a Hall of Fame trajectory before injuries derailed him in the '90s, but he was still dangerous in the batter's box. More >

AL Central

Indians: Jim Thome, 1997 Score 'Goin' Yard'

The finest seasons of Thome's Hall of Fame career came in a Cleveland uniform, and this card depicts the slugger in his prime. More >

Royals: Carlos Beltrán, 1995 SP Top Prospects

Before he went on to an illustrious career with a knack for postseason heroics, Beltrán was a top prospect in the Kansas City organization. More >

Tigers: Cecil Fielder, 1991 Donruss Diamond Kings

Fielder was at the peak of his prodigious power while with Detroit, and this Diamond Kings art is a great reminder of that. More >

Twins: Kirby Puckett, 1990 Post Cereal

Some of the best baseball cards out there -- for nostalgic reasons, at least -- came from cereal boxes, and this Puckett gem is a great example. More >

White Sox: Frank Thomas, 1992 Fleer

The Big Hurt was a ticking time bomb at the plate, so this card truly captures the essence of the fear he instilled in opposing pitchers. More >

AL West

Angels: Chuck Finley, 1994 Upper Deck

Finley jamming with his guitar -- well, bat? Yes, please. More >

Astros: Randy Johnson, 1999 Fleer Ultra

The Big Unit wasn't an Astro for long, but he made his time in Houston count, posting a 1.28 ERA with 116 strikeouts over 11 starts after the Astros acquired him in a midseason trade with the Mariners. More >

Athletics: Rickey Henderson, 1991 Upper Deck

Rickey running. That's a beautiful thing. More >

Mariners: Ken Griffey Jr., 1995 Pinnacle

It seemed there was nothing Griffey wasn't good at. Blowing gigantic bubbles was no exception. More >

Rangers: Ivan Rodriguez, 1994 Topps

Pudge in pretty much the best pose you could capture him -- firing a rocket down to second base to nab a runner foolish enough to try and steal a base on him. More >

National League East

Braves: Javy Lopez, 1999 Upper Deck

The Braves catcher was an underrated hitter and proved it in the year before this card was issued. More >

Marlins: Jeff Conine, 1994 Topps

When you think Conine you think Marlins. It's just how it is. More >

Mets: Darryl Strawberry, 1991 Fleer Pro-Vision

What a gorgeous set of artwork in these cards -- Strawberry here wields a "nuclear" bat. More >

Nationals/Expos: Kirk Rueter, 1996 Fleer Ultra

Rueter was a solid starter for the mid-1990s Expos, and while he wasn't a star pitcher, he was a star in the heart of the fan who submitted this card. More >

Phillies: Randy Ready, 1991 Score

Sometimes it's not the player on the card that counts the most, but the action shot. More >

NL Central

Brewers: Greg Vaughn, 1990 Donruss Rated Rookie

Vaughn had some great slugging seasons with Milwaukee, and it all started with his rookie campaign in 1990. More >

Cardinals: Mark McGwire, 1999 Topps HR Record #70

Thinking back on the great home run race of 1998, this card commemorates McGwire's historic 70th homer of that season. More >

Cubs: Ryne Sandberg, 1992 Studio Heritage

Sandberg was about as throwback as they come, so this card with him in an old-school baseball uniform feels just right. More >

Pirates: Brian Giles, 1999 SkyBox Thunder

Giles was traded by the Indians to the Pirates midseason in 1998, which was a breakout campaign at the plate for the outfielder. More >

Reds: Barry Larkin, 1996 Score 'Star Struck'

Larkin was at the peak of his career when this card was issued -- he had just won the 1995 NL MVP Award. More >

NL West

D-backs: Travis Lee, 1998 Score

Lee was, indeed, the original D-back, becoming Arizona's first free-agent signing in 1996. He also hit the franchise's first regular-season homer two years later. More >

Dodgers: Mike Piazza, 1994 Fleer Pro-Vision

Fleer Pro-Vision cards were beautiful pieces of artwork, and we can see why with this Piazza card. More >

Giants: Barry Bonds, 1995 Topps

Bonds was the face of the Giants franchise in the decade of the 1990s, so it's fitting that he appears on this list. He appears on the card to be watching what is probably one of his 762 career home runs. More >

Padres: Bip Roberts, 1996 Score

Nothing like seeing Bip Roberts sitting in the dugout wearing a sombrero. More >

Rockies: Larry Walker, 1998 Fleer Metal Universe

The soon-to-be-inducted Hall of Famer had one of the best arms of any right fielder in baseball history, and that trait is captured well on this unique card. More >