Juan Gonzalez has an amazing legacy as one of the most successful players in MLB. He was an amazing outfielder throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s.
His rookie year was in 1990 as this was the year the Texas Rangers drafted him after he had spent some time competing within the minor leagues.
With 1990 being his rookie year you will find a large variety of rookie cards for Gonzalez. With such a variety available, it is difficult to know which are worth getting.
This is made even more confusing with the 1990s being notorious for having very high print numbers.
However, if you are interested in getting some of Juan Gonzalez’ rookie cards, we have put this list together so you can know which to look out for.
The Best Juan Gonzalez Rookie Cards
This is not an extensive list of all the Juan Gonzalez rookie cards which are available, but we have gathered some of the best cards to look out for.
These all have varying value for different reasons, and we will explain why we like these cards in their explanation, so read on!
1990 Fleer Juan Gonzalez RC #297
For a simple first choice to consider, you should look no further than the 1990 Fleer rookie card for Juan Gonzalez.
If you love traditional baseball cards, especially from eras like the 1990s, Fleer is one of the best manufacturers to get cards from.
Luckily, because of the printing rates of the era, and Fleer’s prevalence, this is a quite easily accessible rookie card to look out for.
In spite of this, the prices for this card can vary quite a bit so be careful before purchasing to make sure you are not being overcharged by an over zealous Ebay seller.
1990 Topps Juan Gonzalez RC #331
Another card which is quite common to get if you are looking to collect Gonzalez rookie cards, is the Topps #331 from the 1990 rookie season.
Like Fleer, Topps also has a good reputation when it comes to the production of collectable baseball cards. This is partially due to their extensive history of producing good quality cards.
Because of this, getting this card is not going to be too difficult. These cards have a good design which will sit well with any collection.
We like this card because of how clearly this is of the era giving off a retro feel. It has a clearly 90s aesthetic with a bold graphic design and the focus on Gonzalez’s classic mustache and the bold focus on the jersey.
This card was quite widely produced, so will not be difficult to get. You will not be charged as much as you would for some other versions of the card.
Another option which is worth considering is the Topps Tiffany version of the card if you are able to find it.
If you are unaware, Topps Tiffany is the higher quality version of the standards Topps cards. This is also a similar case when referring to the Bowman Tiffany cards as well. If you want a higher quality product, this is definitely something worth keeping your eye open for.
1990 Bowman Tiffany Juan Gonzalez RC #492
In addition to Fleer and Topps is another great MLB card manufacturer being Bowman. If you want a good rookie season Juan Gonzalez card then they should definitely be in your consideration as well.
Compared to the previously listed choice, the design of this card is significantly more minimalist. Which is a look a lot of collectors prefer making the photography really stand out.
The borders of the photo have the typical subtle rainbow stripes. Still giving the card a 90s feel without being overwhelming. It is also worth noting this is not a card with an action image.
The main explanation for why so many people choose this card in comparison to similar choices is the simple design. Another reason for its popularity is also its ease of availability, at least when we are considering the standard base card.
If we are considering the Bowman Tiffany version of the card. This is going to be a much more premium card option compared to the base version.
1990 Donruss Juan Gonzalez RC #33
If you want a less standard and more interesting option, we have the Donruss rated rookie card.
If you do not know, there is a printing error which is quite well known with some of these cards where the image would get flipped to face the opposite direction. Referred to as a reverse negative.
As is the case with many printing errors. Sometimes the misprinted version is more popular than the standard design. So if you prefer rarities like this, it may not be that hard to get.
What will be more rare however is finding a version of the card which has been signed. But these are occasionally being sold.
1990 Upper Deck Star Rookie Juan Gonzalez RC #72
Another seller which is worth looking out for with baseball cards is Upper Deck. Like many of these options, they are not too hard to buy and not much money.
The photo shows Gonzalez in his classic Texas jersey and has the standard simple design of these cards. If you want a plain choice, this is worth going considering.
1990 Score Juan Gonzalez RC #637
Finally, we have featured the 1990 Score card of Juan Gonzalez and it has a classic design. Due to the high print numbers of the era it will not be hard to find.
The high quality action photography featured makes this a great card to collect.
Expect to pay around $20 for a PSA 10.
The Auto version isn’t much more money at a very reasonable $50 if you can find one. As with all these cards, they aren’t going to break the bank, or make you rich.
They are however a great piece of history and an affordable collection to put together for someone new to the hobby.
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