Mark Gubicza
Pitcher (Baseball - This is a baseball card, not a football card) · Kansas City Royals
1991 Studio Baseball (Donruss) ##109
Year & Era
1991 - Junk Wax Era
Card Type
Base Card / Portrait Insert Style
Grade
6.0 (EX-MT) estimated
Rarity
Common; mass-produced during the peak of 1990s overproduction
Overall Assessment
A nostalgic 1990s baseball card (though requested as football) of a solid Kansas City pitcher in modest condition
Condition Grade
6.0 (EX-MT) estimated
Centering Assessment
Bottom-heavy centering; approximately 70/30 top-to-bottom
Surface Condition
Visible light reflection suggests minor surface scuffs; glossy finish appears intact but handled
Corner Condition
Upper-right and lower-right corners show softening and white chipping
Edge Condition
Minor chipping visible on the right edge and top-right corner
Print Quality
Standard 1991 Donruss/Studio quality; high-energy color palette with average image sharpness
Estimated Value
$0.10 - $1.00 USD
Comparison to Known Examples
Lower quality than typical pack-fresh examples due to corner wear and poor centering
Authentication Tips
Check for characteristic dot-matrix printing and card stock thickness typical of early 90s Donruss products
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended; grading costs far exceed the market value of the card
Red Flags
None; there is no incentive to counterfeit this specific card
Provenance Notes
Distributed in wax packs, jumbo packs, and factory sets in 1991
Historical Context
Mark Gubicza was a key member of the 1985 World Series champion Royals and a 2-time All-Star
Market Trends
Static/Flat; high supply and low demand for non-hall-of-fame veterans from this era
Investment Potential
Minimal; card exists in such high quantities that it will likely never accrue significant value
Similar Cards
1991 Studio Bret Saberhagen, 1991 Studio Bo Jackson
Display & Preservation
Penny sleeve and top loader are sufficient; avoid direct sunlight to prevent color fading
Interesting Facts
The 1991 Studio set was the first 'portrait' style set, aimed at showing players in formal or lifestyle poses