The 1985 Donruss large set was the third issue of Donruss’ oversized baseball cards and marked a transition period for the company. Coming off the immense popularity of their 1984 set featuring rookie cards of stars like Mark McGwire and Ozzie Smith, Donruss had cemented itself as a major cardboard manufacturer. Competition was increasing from Topps and Fleer who were both producing modern designs that appealed to collectors.
Donruss had stuck with their multi-color photo front style since returning to the baseball card market in 1981 after a decade-long absence. For 1985, they made the bold choice to mix things up while still keeping their iconic large card format that measured approximately 3.5″ x 5″. The front of the cards now featured almost full bleed action photos with no borders alongside grey borders. Player names were moved below the image in silver script. Overall it had a cleaner, more graphic appearance compared to prior years.
On the back, stats remained the focus but were now organized more logically per position. Additional career stats were also included. Perhaps most notable was the addition of a paragraph of text describing each player. This helped tell their story and provide context beyond just numbers. For a set aimed at kids as well as adults, it was an savvy choice that added value and memorability. It demonstrated Donruss was not standing still and willing to innovate as the industry evolved.
Despite breaking from tradition, Donruss was careful not to lose what made them popular. Fan favorites like the team logo box at the top-left corner of the front and the classic font across the bottom were faithfully carried over. Even the border color themes from 1984 were acknowledged through team-color lettering on the backs. Continuity alongside progress was the recipe.
While the visual and informational upgrades were appreciated, collectors and kids were undoubtedly excited by the star rookies and young phenoms featured in 1985 Donruss. Names like Roger Clemens, Dwight Gooden, Ozzie Guillen, and Jay Howell jumped off the cardboard in their early career glory. More established stars shone as well from Mike Schmidt and Willie Hernandez to Pete Rose and Fernando Valenzuela.
As the ’85 season got underway that summer, many of these featured players lived up to the hype on the field as well. Most memorably, Montreal Expos pitcher Bill Gullickson threw a no-hitter on September 26th against the St. Louis Cardinals. His 1985 Donruss card suddenly gained recognition and value beyond the typical rookie or common parallel. Such real-life performances merging with the hobby gave Donruss collectors thrilling moments of sports fandom intertwined with their cardboard passions that have lasted to this day.
While the updated design attracted many, not all were pleased with Donruss’ changes for 1985. Some nostalgic collectors mourned leaving behind the familiar colorful rainbow borders and multi-position designs of days past. There was also scrutiny around the lower production numbers compared to Donruss’ previous baseball issues as competition ramped up industry-wide. When combined with the hype around star rookies, it made completing the set more elusive and costly than in past years according to the sources available from the cardboard-collecting community of the era.
These downsides hardly diminished the fun, nostalgia, and MLB fandom that 1985 Donruss sparked. Kids eagerly snapped packs at stores and made trades with friends at school and Little League games. Adults meanwhile bought complete sets, boxes, or individual stars on the thriving secondary market found at card shows and collectibles shops. Rivalry with Topps and excitement for the “big” card size kept the brand loyal and engaged through that summer of ’85.
While Donruss only kept their large format through the 1986 season before downsizing, their 1985 edition is still fondly remembered today. It found the right balance of tradition alongside progress and featured some of the biggest star rookies of the decade on its thick cardboard. Now over 35 years later, examples grace the collections of vintage fans and are regularly seen in the vivid colors of youth at online auctions fetching substantial prices. Though short-lived as the company’s flagship, 1985 Donruss remains etched in the memories of baseball card aficionados as an iconic hobby product bridging eras with great photography, statistics, and tales of the timeless summer game. Its innovation continues to inspire contemporary cardboard manufacturers even today.
