The 1989 Donruss baseball card set is widely considered one of the most iconic and collectible issues in the history of the hobby. Not only did it feature quality photography and design, but it also highlighted some of the biggest stars and performances from what was a memorable season in Major League Baseball. At the forefront was the 16-card MVP insert set spotlighting the top players from both the American and National Leagues that year.
In 1989, the National League was dominated by the San Francisco Giants and their ”Team of the 80s.” Led by NL MVP Kevin Mitchell, the Giants rode their lineup of star hitters to a 92-71 record and another division title. Mitchell had a breakout season, batting .291 with 47 home runs and 125 RBIs. His heroic performance earned him the top accolade in the NL and one of the major inserts in the 1989 Donruss set. Mitchell’s card shows him mid-swing with crisp red and black borders highlighting his statistics and award from that year. It remains one of the more valuable and recognizable cards from the entire release.
While Mitchell took home NL MVP honors, another Giants slugger had one of the best overall seasons in baseball in 1989. Will Clark hit .333 with 26 home runs and 105 RBIs and was named the NL’s “Ripken Award” winner for being the player that best exemplifies the qualities of the late Cal Ripken Sr. Like Mitchell, Clark’s MVP card features excellent photography, capturing him batting lefty during an at-bat. His dominance as one of the game’s premier hitters made the card another highly sought after piece from the prestigious insert set.
Over in the American League, it was the Oakland Athletics leading the way once again. Led by their ”Bash Brothers” of Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco, the A’s won the AL West with an amazing 104-58 record. Powered by McGwire’s league-leading 32 home runs and Canseco belting 33 long balls of his own, Oakland blasted their way to yet another division title. McGwire took home AL MVP honors after batting .234 with a league-best 109 RBIs. His card highlights McGwire smiling in the batter’s box, underscoring his dominance in Oakland’s heart-of-the-order that season.
While the ”Bash Brothers” were destroying pitchers across the AL, one player was having an almost unmatched season statistically. California Angels shortstop Alan Trammell followed up his Gold Glove and Silver Slugger season in 1988 with an incredible campaign in 1989. Trammell batted an amazing .343 with 28 doubles, 20 home runs and 105 RBIs, leading the AL in hits, total bases, and extra-base hits. For his record-setting numbers, Trammell was awarded both the AL MVP and “Ripken Award” honors, becoming just the fifth player in MLB history to achieve that milestone. His Donruss MVP card perfectly captures Trammell’s smooth swing and ability to consistently drive the ball all around the diamond with efficiency and style. It was a fitting tribute to one of the best overall seasons by a player up to that point.
While the 1989 Donruss set primarily focused on stars of the present, it did pay homage to one of the icons of baseball’s past as well. In 1989, the Yankees retired the legendary number 7 worn by Mickey Mantle, “The Commerce Comet” and one of the most feared hitters in MLB history. Mantle spent his entire 18-year career with the Yankees, slugging 536 home runs and earning three AL MVPs during a Hall of Fame career cut short by injuries. Donruss included Mantle in their prestigious MVP insert set alongside the top performers of 1989. It was a classy touch to highlight one of the most revered Yankees and players of all-time on such an elite card.
The quality and choice of players featured in the 1989 Donruss MVP subset made it a true collector’s treasure upon the set’s release. Flash forward over 30 years later and the cards have only grown more desirable and valuable in the eyes of the hobby. Keys like the Mitchell, McGwire, Trammell and Clark cards routinely sell for hundreds of dollars in graded mint condition. Even Mantle’s prestigious inclusion maintains a high value and demand from baseball card aficionados. The photography, designs and honoring of the year’s premier performers elevated the 1989 MVP cards above their peers and into the discussion for the most coveted cards in the entire sports collecting world. For fans and investors alike, the 1989 Donruss MVP set remains iconic and holds a special place in the history of the hobby.
The 1989 Donruss baseball card set stands out for its memorable MVP subset that captured the top individual performances of that season. Featuring superstars like Kevin Mitchell, Will Clark, Mark McGwire, Alan Trammell and a tribute to Mickey Mantle, the 16-card insert paid homage to some of the biggest names in the game at the time in stunning fashion. With impeccable photography, classic designs and highlighting some truly special seasons, the MVP cards became instant classics that only increase in value and reverence decades later. For both its on-field achievements highlighted and collecting significance, the 1989 Donruss MVP subset stands as one of the finest and most desirable inserts ever produced.
