Although it could not rank excessive on many collectors’ radars, the 1994 Bowman baseball card set is attention-grabbing for just a few causes.
First, it marked the primary time since Bowman’s reemergence within the passion in 1989 that they went with a borderless design.
That will not appear all that attention-grabbing at first…
But it surely was a tell-tale signal of the occasions, with manufacturers competing any manner they may to seize collector consideration in a difficult market.
Second, not solely does it have some big-name rookies resembling Jorge Posada, Torii Hunter, and Derek Lee, nevertheless it additionally now has a Corridor of Fame rookie, Billy Wagner, as of 2025.
And final, you’ll find loads of high-quality motion photographs of a few of the greatest stars of the period contained in the 682-card guidelines in addition to over 50 foil playing cards.
And on this information, we’ll check out the 12 most useful.
Let’s bounce proper in!
1994 Bowman #38 Jorge Posada Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $125
Not solely did Jorge Posada turn out to be a five-time All-Star for New York, however he additionally turned one of the vital beloved gamers in franchise historical past.
But, had sure commerce discussions throughout his days within the Minors gone otherwise, he by no means would’ve been a Yankee within the first place.
Not solely did they embrace Posada of their try at pulling Tino Martinez away from the Seattle Mariners in 1995, however additionally they tried sending him and Mariano Rivera to the Reds for David Wells that very same 12 months.
Think about if the Reds had accepted that deal.
Two of the most important legends in Yankees historical past who had been integral in bringing a number of World Collection championships to the Bronx had been almost traded earlier than they’d an opportunity.
The Yankees had prevented a colossal mistake and did not even comprehend it.
Baseball’s humorous like that.
Although he would not find yourself within the Corridor of Fame like Rivera, Posada was a five-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, and four-time World Collection champ throughout his 17 seasons with the Yankees.
He was a important piece of so many nice Yankee groups, and for that purpose, his rookie card sits atop this checklist.
1994 Bowman #642 Billy Wagner Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $125
Over his 16-year profession, lefty fireballer Billy Wagner earned 422 saves in 903 innings pitched whereas sporting a 2.31 ERA, 0.998 WHIP, 11.9 SO/9 IP, and 0.187 BAA.
In different phrases, for those who had been within the batter’s field, Wagner was one of many final guys you needed to see on the mound.
The man was merely unimaginable.
Had he stayed on past his age 38 season like Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera, he might very effectively have surpassed the 600-save mark like they did.
Who is aware of?
But, a few of the knocks towards him for enshrinement into Cooperstown had been that he wasn’t nice for a protracted sufficient time interval and that he struggled an excessive amount of within the postseason.
Throughout his first 12 months of eligibility, Wagner acquired simply 10.5% of the vote.
However that quantity climbed to 51% in 2022.
And, lastly, in 2025, he was rightfully elected to the Baseball Corridor of Fame, changing into the one pitcher to take action having pitched lower than 1,000 innings.
1994 Bowman #5 Ken Griffey Jr.
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $100
Ken Griffey Jr. was nothing in need of sensible in the course of the 1994 season, giving followers one of many best first-half reveals in baseball historical past.
In Might alone, Griffey racked up an eye-popping 15 dwelling runs.
By July 1, he stood with two extra dingers (32) than Babe Ruth had when he set his file of 30 dwelling runs by July 1 so way back.
Everybody grew more and more excited as he hit homer after homer, questioning if he might ultimately surpass Roger Maris’s single-season file of 61 dwelling runs.
Ultimately, it wasn’t meant to be.
Sadly, because it had executed to so many different streaks and doubtlessly vital milestones that 12 months, the gamers’ strike introduced Griffey’s chase to a crashing halt on August 12.
He’d end with 40 dwelling runs, making him the twenty second participant in MLB historical past on the time with back-to-back 40-home run campaigns.
And Griffey was reaching the peak of his reputation on and off the sector.
That 12 months, he appeared in his personal videogame when Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Main League Baseball got here out for the Tremendous Nintendo.
Griffey additionally appeared on the hit tv present The Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air and in varied commercial campaigns.
Nobody was hotter than Griffey that season.
1994 Bowman #633 Derek Jeter
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $100
When the New York Yankees drafted Derek Jeter out of highschool with the sixth choose of the 1992 MLB Draft, they’d excessive hopes for him after watching him dominate for Kalamazoo Central.
But, they probably by no means might have imagined he’d go down as one of many best Yankees of all time.
Over his twenty years within the Bronx, Jeter was the 1995 AL Rookie of the 12 months, a five-time champion, a 14-time All-Star, a five-time Silver Slugger and a five-time Gold Glover.
He was the Yankees throughout his profession.
Like Posada, his Corridor of Fame teammate would not make his MLB debut with the Yankees till the 1995 season after accidents to Tony Fernández and Pat Kelly left Jeter because the beginning shortstop on Might 29 that 12 months.
But, Bowman featured his rookie card of their 1993 set and included him on this set guidelines as effectively.
Regardless of not being as invaluable as his Bowman challenge that preceded it, this card continues to be highly-coveted by Jeter collectors because it includes a take a look at the legend in a mainstream set earlier than his MLB days.
1994 Bowman #80 Rickey Henderson
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $75
When Rickey Henderson stole third base towards the New York Yankees on Might 1, 1991, to interrupt Lou Brock’s file together with his 939th swipe, he instantly eliminated the bottom and hoisted it within the air.
This card all the time makes me consider that iconic second.
A minimum of, at first.
But, clearly, the picture on this card was from a special time in his profession.
When he broke Brock’s file, he was carrying sun shades, darkish batting gloves and a inexperienced sleeve on his proper arm.
To not point out, he broke the file years earlier than Bowman printed this card and it could have been a bit unusual for them to make use of a picture from so way back.
Whereas that historic second on Might 1, 1991, is among the most ceaselessly re-run clips in baseball historical past, Henderson’s different profession stolen base information would not get as a lot consideration.
On June 16, 1993, Henderson stole second base towards the Chicago White Sox for profession steal number one,066.
That gave him yet another than Nippon Skilled Baseball legend Yutaka Fukumoto for the world file.
To rejoice, Henderson once more eliminated the bottom and hoisted it with satisfaction.
This picture is from that actual second.
1994 Bowman #104 Torii Hunter Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $60
Torii Hunter was top-of-the-line outfielders of his period who possessed nice offensive and defensive expertise.
In nineteen MLB seasons, primarily with the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels, Hunter hit 353 dwelling runs with 1,391 RBIs and 1,296 runs scored on offense.
He additionally racked up a powerful nine-consecutive Gold Gloves on protection from 2002 to 2009, ending with 9 general.
Solely Willie Mays (12), Ken Griffey Jr. (10), and Andruw Jones (10) had extra Gold Gloves than Hunter on the middle area place.
As a nod to his unimaginable vary and skill to scale the outfield fence to rob would-be dwelling runs, Hunter rightfully earned the nickname “Spiderman.”
Through the 2002 MLB All-Star Recreation, Hunter infamously robbed one off of Barry Bonds, who then proceeded to jokingly act like he was going to physique slam Hunter in frustration.
Nevertheless, the query stays as as to if Hunter was a Corridor of Famer or not.
In 2022, on his second 12 months on the BBWAA poll, Hunter acquired simply 5.3% of the vote, signaling that his possibilities of getting in that manner are uncertain.
Hopefully, “Spiderman” will ultimately get the decision, even when it is by committee someday sooner or later.
1994 Bowman #25 Don Mattingly
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $50
With Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada showing on this set, it is attention-grabbing to witness the transition underway in New York on the time.
In fact, nobody might see it on the time, although.
Neither of them would seem in a Yankees uniform in the course of the 1994 season, however each would ultimately be key cogs in future Yankees squads that introduced a number of rings again to “The Massive Apple.”
And one among them, Jeter, served as crew captain from 2003 to 2014.
However in 1994, the Yankees’ beloved famous person, Don Mattingly, was in his fourth 12 months as crew captain, trying to lead the crew to the playoffs for the primary time since 1981.
And in a resurgent 12 months on the plate, he hit .304 with six dwelling runs, 51 RBIs and 62 runs scored to go together with 20 doubles and 60 walks (one shy of his career-high).
Not since his last All-Star marketing campaign had he hit over .300.
But, greater than something, Mattingly needed to expertise the MLB playoffs.
On August 12, 1994, with New York sitting 6.5 video games forward of the Baltimore Orioles for first place within the AL East, it appeared like he may lastly get his want.
Sadly, the MLBPA quickly kicked off its strike, and Mattingly must wait yet another 12 months to get his likelihood at postseason play.
1994 Bowman #75 Cal Ripken Jr.
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $50
For the eighth time in his historic profession, legendary Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. turned in a season on the plate worthy of a Silver Slugger award.
In 112 video games, Ripken slashed .315/.364/.459 with 13 dwelling runs, 75 RBIs and 71 runs scored for an Orioles crew that completed 6.5 video games behind the New York Yankees within the AL East.
For his efforts, Ripken completed twelfth within the MVP vote, the best he’d end for the remainder of his profession since profitable the award for the second time in 1991.
But, because it often was, the story with Ripken remained centered round his chase for Lou Gehrig’s file of two,130 consecutive video games performed.
When the Orioles beat the Yankees 8-1 on the street in New York on August 10, 1994, it marked the two,009th consecutive recreation during which Ripken performed.
He wanted “solely” 121 extra to tie Gehrig.
However, when the strike took impact a few days later, he and the remainder of the baseball world had been pressured to attend till April 26, 1995 for the streak to renew.
And resume it did.
Not solely would he move Gehrig on September 6, 1995, he’d go on to complete his iconic profession with 2,632 consecutive video games.
1994 Bowman #120 Tony Gwynn
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $50
Corridor of Famer Tony Gwynn devoted an unimaginable period of time and self-discipline to the craft of hitting all through his twenty seasons in Main League Baseball.
Whether or not that meant finding out tape, taking stay batting follow, or spending hours hitting off the tee, Gwynn honed his expertise like nobody else of his period.
So, it is no shock that he completed his profession tied with Honus Wagner for the second-most batting titles (8) in MLB historical past.
And at no level in his profession did he hit higher than in 1994.
Not solely did he almost turn out to be the primary participant since Ted Williams in 1941 to bat above .400 by ending simply shy with an unimaginable .394 common, however his energy numbers had been up, too.
Gwynn retired with a profession slugging share of .459 and with a repute as a pure contact hitter.
But, in 1994, the legendary lefty noticed his slugging share soar by greater than 100 factors, setting a profession mark of .568.
His OPS of 1.022 was simply a career-best as effectively.
When the season ended, Gwynn had his fifth batting title in hand, kicking off a sequence of four-straight years of profitable the title.
1994 Bowman #489 Chipper Jones
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $40
Main as much as the 1994 MLB season, the Atlanta Braves group absolutely anticipated Chipper Jones to make a robust bid at a beginning function after left fielder Ron Gant broke his leg within the offseason.
However throughout Spring Coaching that 12 months, catastrophe struck when Jones tore the ACL in his left knee, ending his 1994 season altogether.
The longer term Corridor of Famer labored to get again on monitor and located himself because the crew’s beginning third baseman on Opening Day towards the San Francisco Giants on April 26, 1995.
Jones was terrific in his first Main League begin, going 2-5 on the plate with 2 RBIs and three runs scored to assist the Braves defeat the Giants in a 12-5 blowout in entrance of the house crowd.
Hideo Nomo narrowly defeated Jones within the race for 1995 Nationwide League Rookie of the Yr honors, however Jones shortly bought over it by incomes a World Collection ring after defeating the Cleveland Indians in six.
Jones and the Braves would seem within the postseason yearly after that via the 2005 season and once more in 2012.
And he’d get one other crack at a World Collection ring in 1996 and 1999 nevertheless it simply wasn’t meant to be.
1994 Bowman #15 Frank Thomas
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $30
In 1993, Chicago White Sox legend Frank Thomas turned the primary participant to win AL MVP since Dick Allen in 1972.
The Massive Damage additionally turned simply the fifth participant in MLB historical past to publish a .300 batting common, 20+ dwelling runs, and greater than 100 walks, RBIs, and runs scored in three-straight seasons.
The opposite 4 guys to take action had been none aside from Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, and Ted Williams.
By 1993, Thomas was clearly elite and on a historic trajectory at simply 25 years outdated.
However someway, he managed to outdo himself in 1994 by persevering with that streak for the fourth 12 months in a row, batting .353 with 38 dwelling runs, 109 walks, 101 RBIs, and 106 runs scored.
It was really wonderful that he might put up these numbers in a strike-shortened season to maintain his streak intact.
Ultimately, Thomas would set the file for many consecutive seasons with numbers like these when he did it seven years in a row from 1991-1997.
But his 1994 marketing campaign was arguably probably the most spectacular of these seven seasons since he produced these stats in simply 399 at-bats.
1994 Bowman #232 Derrek Lee Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Worth: $30
Although the San Diego Padres drafted Derrek Lee with the 14th choose of the 1993 MLB Draft and Bowman issued this rookie card of their 1993 set, he would not swimsuit up for the Padres till the 1997 season.
After the draft, Lee methodically progressed from rookie ball in 1993 to the Triple-A Las Vegas Stars, with whom he performed 125 video games in 1997.
Alongside the best way, Lee developed a repute as a man with authentic energy and the flexibility to drive in runs, which might serve him effectively throughout his time within the Majors.
After which, on April 28, 1997, the Padres referred to as him as much as be their beginning first baseman for an away recreation towards the Florida Marlins.
On the day, Lee went 1-3 on the plate with two walks, two runs scored and one strikeout within the Padres’ 9-12 loss to the Marlins.
Lee would go on to have a profitable 15-year profession within the Majors, enjoying for six groups in whole.
Although he gained a hoop with the Marlins in 2003, his greatest season was undoubtedly in 2005 with the Cubs.
That season, Lee gained the batting title (.335), his solely Silver Slugger, and his second Gold Glove whereas ending third within the NL MVP vote.
1994 Bowman Baseball Playing cards In Assessment
With Billy Wagner’s election to the Corridor of Fame in 2025, collectors will probably give this set a bit extra consideration than they used to.
For years, many had waited to see if guys like Wagner, Posada, or Torii Hunter would ever make it to Cooperstown, and eventually, that query has been answered.
So, anticipate a bit extra noise relating to this set, no less than within the brief time period due to Wagner.
Nonetheless, for the diehard collector, 1994 Bowman baseball will proceed to be attention-grabbing if just for all of the big-name stars and the improved design.
It was clear that Bowman was ramping issues up aesthetically to compete with different manufacturers.
And together with over 50 foil playing cards within the set to spotlight stars prospects was a terrific contact.
Total, the 1994 Bowman baseball set affords precisely what you’d anticipate: tons of prospects and rookie playing cards with the bonus of future Corridor of Famers all through the guidelines.
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