The 2005 Donruss baseball card set was released late in the 2004 calendar year as the brand attempted a comeback after losing their MLB license. While no longer having official MLB rights, Donruss managed to negotiate photo and statistics licensing with individual teams and players to create what is considered their final “true” baseball card set before switching to original artwork starting in 2006.
The 2005 set contains 332 total cards and features all 30 MLB teams from that season. Notable rookie cards included Jacoby Ellsbury, Jeff Francoeur, Matt Cain, Prince Fielder, and Andrew McCutchen. Veteran stars highlighted included Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, Roger Clemens, Mike Piazza, and Alex Rodriguez. The design retains the classic Donruss look with blue borders and team logo in the upper left corner. Player names are featured prominently at the bottom along with their team, position, and statistics from the previous season.
One of the standout aspects of the 2005 Donruss set was the inclusion of several parallels and inserts adding to the complexity and collector appeal. The ‘Chrome’ parallel featured a shinier refractory coating on 104 of the base cards to give them added pop. A 35-card ‘Exclusive Artists’ insert set showcased original art portraits of the players. Several ‘Tribute’ cards paid homage to historic players and events as well. Both dual-memorabilia and dual-auto relic cards numbered to only 25 copies each provided ultra-high end chase cards.
Distribution of 2005 Donruss was primarily through jumbo retail packs containing 24 total cards as well as hobby boxes containing 12 packs and 288 cards on average. With no official MLB licensing, Donruss lost significant shelf space and distribution compared to their heyday in the late 1980s-90s. The set maintained popularity among collectors nostalgic for the classic brand and design elements they had come to know. Online auctions like eBay helped breathe new life and accessibility.
Several of the key rookie cards from 2005 Donruss have held up extremely well in terms of value appreciation over the ensuing 15+ years. Jacoby Ellsbury’s ranked among the most coveted before injuries slowed his career. Prince Fielder blossomed into a consistent power hitter for over a decade. Matt Cain established himself as a workhorse starter from 2007-2015. But perhaps most impressive has been Andrew McCutchen, who now ranks as one of the set’s absolute gem cards. His ascension to perennial All-Star and 2013 NL MVP gave his 2005 Donruss RC tremendous cachet. High-grade examples now sell for thousands of dollars.
While no longer carrying the official MLB licensing that had defined Donruss through the 1980s and 90s, collectors still widely consider the 2005 edition to be the brand’s true “final baseball set.” Including current players and stats alongside classic design elements, it served as a fitting farewell before unique original illustrations took over starting in 2006. Many of the rookie cards hold up extremely well to this day. Overall it represented one final high point for a storied baseball card manufacturer who helped define the modern sportscard hobby.
