The 1988 Donruss baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable vintage issues from the late 1980s. With 792 total cards in the base set and several inserts and parallels to hunt for, there are numerous key cards collectors seek out from the ’88 Donruss release. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most notable rookies, future Hall of Famers, stars of the era, and short printed cards that make the 1988 Donruss set a highly regarded target for collectors over 30 years later.
Perhaps the headlining rookie card from 1988 Donruss is Oakland A’s slugger Jose Canseco. Canseco had an explosive rookie campaign in 1986 that saw him bash 33 home runs and drive in 97 runs, winning the American League Rookie of the Year award. By 1988, he was already entrenched as one of the game’s biggest stars and his power numbers only continued climbing. Canseco’s rookie card remains one of the most iconic from the junk wax era, featured in large part due to the muscular physique Canseco displays. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples of Canseco’s ’88 Donruss rookie currently sell for thousands of dollars.
Another premier rookie to watch for is Cincinnati Reds’ slugging third baseman Chris Sabo. Like Canseco, Sabo played a key role in reviving the Reds franchise in the late 1980s alongside Barry Larkin and Brandon Duncan. Sabo’s outstanding rookie season in 1988 saw him bat .259 with 16 homers and 75 RBI, winning Rookie of the Year honors. High grade Sabo rookies can fetch hundreds in today’s market. St. Louis Cardinals fan favorite Ozzie Smith also featured what is considered one of the best action photos ever included on a baseball card in 1988 Donruss. While not technically a rookie card, high grade Ozzie Smiths remain quite valuable.
One of the top short printed cards from 1988 Donruss believed to be around the 100-150 copy range is Cubs’ legend Ryne Sandberg. Considered the crown jewel of the set among serious vintage collectors, a PSA 10 Gem Mint Sandberg was recently sold for over $13,000. Other short printed stars include Red Sox ace Roger Clemens (around the 250 copy range), Expos star Tim Raines (around 200 copies), and Oakland A’s slugger Mark McGwire (in the 150-200 copy range). Collectors seeking these harder to find SP variations will pay significant premiums for high grade samples.
One Hall of Famer featured very prominently in the 1988 Donruss set is Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax. Koufax’s retirement in 1966 at the young age of 30 due to an arthritic elbow relegated him to being featured only in card sets featuring retired players for many years. 1988 was the first time Koufax was included in a regular Topps or Donruss issue since his playing days ended. His inclusion remains an iconic moment in baseball card history. Another Dodgers icon featured was future Hall of Famer Orel Hershiser, who would win both the Cy Young and World Series MVP that season after posting a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings. Both Koufax and Hershiser are highly sought after veteran cards from the set.
While Ken Griffey Jr. wasn’t quite the star he’d become in later years yet, his 1988 Donruss rookie remains a must-own for collectors hunting the future Hall of Famer. Griffey batted .264 with 16 home runs as a 19 year old rookie that season. Still a very young and vibrant talent just getting established in the big leagues, his rookie holds solid value today, especially in high grades. Cardinals phenom Pedro Guerrero also featured an impressive rookie campaign in 1988 that makes his Donruss issue a intriguing vintage pickup as well.
Some other notable stars and Hall of Famers showcased across the 1988 Donruss set include Nolan Ryan, Wade Boggs, Mike Schmidt, Tony Gwynn, Rickey Henderson, and Cal Ripken Jr. Each one of these future Cooperstown inductees holds significance and remains a priority card for collectors to track down. Two other players who’ve both since been elected include Dennis Eckersley, who was in the midst of transitioning to closer with the A’s in 1988, and managers Whitey Herzog and Tommy Lasorda, who led their respective Cardinals and Dodgers teams in winning the 1985 and 1988 World Series.
While 1988 Donruss offered collectors at the time a massive amount of cards at affordable prices during baseball’s junk wax era, the set has aged extremely well thanks to all the notable rookies, legends, and short printed variations it featured. Carefully preserved high grade examples of stars like Canseco, Sabo, Sandberg, Clemens and more continue to increase steadily in value as those who experienced the 1980s generation come of age as serious collectors once again. The ’88 Donruss release endures as one of the most recognizable and valuable vintage issues to target for investment potential and nostalgia three decades later.
