The 1986 Donruss baseball card set was the fourth issued by Donruss and marked the first inclusion of rookie cards for players like Will Clark, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. A flagship release for the company at the time, the 660-card checklist featured every player in Major League Baseball during the 1986 season across teams in the American and National Leagues.
The design aesthetic utilized for 1986 Donruss was a straightforward and clean look that highlighted action photography. Each card showed a headshot of the player in a circle at the top with their name and team directly below. The photo took up most of the front of the card and was often a colorful action image from the preceding season. simplicity was key as stats and other text were kept to a minimum. On the back, players’ career statistics to date were provided along with a brief bio.
Starting the set were players with surname initials A through E, kicking off with Warren Adams (1), Frank Adams (2), and Randy Adams (3) before Will Aguayo at number 4. Notable early cards included Tim Raines (5), Kirk Gibson (8), Eddie Murray (10), Dwight Gooden (13), and Dave Righetti (16). The rookie card of Will Clark, who would go on to have a stellar career, can be found at number 26.
Veteran pitcher Tommy John received card 48 followed by another rookie, Detroit Tigers catcher Matt Nokes, at 49. Lefty reliever Dave Smith’s card came in at number 50. Future Hall of Famer Jim Rice’s card was number 57 while Dodgers pitching standout Fernando Valenzuela landed at 59. Cards in the 60-79 range featured players like Terry Pendleton (64), Bob Boone (68), and Tony Perez (73).
Entering the 80’s, cards of importance included Ted Simmons (82), Bruce Sutter (85), and Jim Palmer (87). Ozzie Smith’s defensive wizardry earned him the 89th spot. Chicago White Sox ace Richard Dotson got the 91st card followed by Hal McRae at 92. California Angels ace Mike Witt debuted on card 95. By the 100th slot, emerging Reds talent Barry Larkin had already made his cardboard debut.
Cards 101-150 gave way to the likes of Bret Saberhagen (111), Jack Clark (113), Kent Hrbek (114), Billy Hatcher (119), and Bob Horner (124). George Brett’s smooth swing was showcased on card 128. Mark McGwire arrived on card 133 followed one slot later by Tim Teufel. Pitchers David Cone (138) and Dwight Gooden (139) kept things rolling into the 140’s.
Stretching into the 151-200 range were future plaque earners like Nolan Ryan (153), Don Sutton (158), and Ryne Sandberg (166). Other key players included Darrell Evans (155), Lonnie Smith (158), and Julio Franco (162). by card 175, Ellis Valentine had already made multiple All-Star appearances represented on his cardboard. #180 belonged to “Pudge” Rodriguez in his early days with the Montreal Expos.
Cards 201 through 250 continued highlighting stars like Dave Parker (204), Dan Quisenberry (206), and Gary Carter (210). Future Hall of Fame closer Dennis Eckersley received the 213th card while California Angels righty Chuck Finley checked in at 216. Cards 225-230 showed Buddy Bell, Bob Welch, and Willie McGee in their primes. Slugger Darryl Strawberry arrived on card 237.
Entering the 251-300 section, the checklist featured Randy Jones (253), Don Baylor (254), and Dave Concepcion (257). Future Mets ace Dwight Gooden landed at card 261. Slick-fielding shortstop Ozzie Guillen occupied the 266th slot. Veterans like Phil Niekro (269), Ned Yost (276), and Larry Parrish (278) balanced out emerging young talent. Bobby Grich’s patient approach earned him the 291st card.
By the halfway point of 301-350, the checklist included notable names like Wade Boggs (306), Dave Stieb (311), Jerry Koosman (313), and John Denny (317). Outfield dynamo Tim Raines checked in at 319. Cardinals ace Joaquin Andujar took the 324th spot. Future HOF’s like Eddie Murray (331) and Gary Carter (335) were established veteran stars by this stage of their careers. Slugging young first baseman Will Clark received the towering 342nd card.
Stretching on, cards 351-400 paid tribute to players like Mookie Wilson (357), Steve Carlton (360), and Tony Gwynn (366) in the prime of their careers. Slick-fielding third baseman Mike Schmidt commanded the 372nd card spot. Juan Nieves landed at 378 while Bob Horner received card 381. Ken Phelps launched his way to the 390th slot. Future star catcher Benito Santiago debuted humble at 392.
The 401-450 range highlighted hurlers like John Denny (406), Roger Clemens (411), Joe Niekro (414), and Bert Blyleven (423). Speedy outfielder Dwight Evans checked in at 424. Slick-fielding Reds shortstop Barry Larkin arrived on the 434th card. Heading towards the halfway mark, the checklist included veteran stars like Eddie Murray (441) and Dale Murphy (447).
Notable faces between 451-500 included Lance Parrish (455), Dave Stewart (458), and Jerry Reuss (472). Slick-fielding shortstop Ozzie Smith owned the 478th spot by now in his career. Young hurler Roger McDowell got the 480th card. Future Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter’s leadership shined through on the 490th card placement. Slugging first baseman Don Mattingly anchored the 497th slot.
Stretching towards the home stretch, cards 501-550 featured the likes of Calvin Schiraldi (505), Garry Templeton (508), and Terry McGriff (511). Rookie phenom Barry Bonds debuted near the bottom at slot 542. Power hitter George Foster held down the 547th placement. Veteran righty Dan Quisenberry’s submarine motion earned him the 549th card spot.
Through the middle portions of 551-600, the checklist paid tribute to superstars in the making like Tim Raines (555), Alan Trammell (558), and Roger Clemens (562). Slick-fielding second baseman Lou Whitaker co-anchored the Detroit double play combo at 564th. Veteran backstop Bob Boone handled the 576th slot. Young ace Bret Saberhagen tossed his way to the towering 587th card number.
Into the homestretch, cards 601-650 featured emerging stalwarts like Jesse Barfield (605), Rick Sutcliffe (608), and Jack Morris (611). Slick-fielding shortstop Ozzie Smith held down the 610th card spot by now. Slugging young first baseman Mark McGwire anchored the 616th placement. Speedy outfielder Vince Coleman stole onto the scene at 623rd. Super utilityman Willie Randolph played various positions on his 638th card.
Finishing out the final stretch, the checklist from 651-660 closed with impact talents like Pedro Guerrero (651), Jeff Reardon (654), and Lance Parrish (656) in the primes of their careers. Emerging slugger Andre Dawson launched his way onto the 657th cardboard placement. Veteran knuckleballer Phil Niekro continued confounding hitters on his 659th card. The final card in the set, number 660, featured speedy outfielder Lonnie Smith creating havoc on the basepaths.
The 1986 Donruss baseball card set provided an excellent snapshot of the Major League Baseball landscape at the time through its 660-player checklist. Key rookie cards, emerging young stars, and veteran greats in the primes of their careers populated the design-simple but memorably photographed cards. Overall it serves as a memorable flagship release that well-preserved the players and seasons it set out to highlight for collectors and fans alike through the enduring magic of cardboard collectibles.
