The 1988 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most popular issues of the late 1980s. While not as iconic as some other brands of the era like Topps and Fleer, Donruss produced quality cards that captured the stars of the day. Several factors make certain 1988 Donruss cards particularly valuable today, such as star power, rookie cards, and memorable performances. Here are the 25 most valuable 1988 Donruss baseball cards based on PSA 10 gem mint condition prices:
Ozzie Smith (#38) – Around $80
Considered one of the greatest defensive shortstops ever, Ozzie Smith was a 13-time Gold Glove winner. The Wizard of Oz remained a star throughout the late 80s.
Mark McGwire (#227) – Around $85
Before establishing the single-season home run record, Mark McGwire was already one of the game’s top power hitters in 1988 with a league-leading 32 home runs and 101 RBIs.
Dennis Eckersley (#168) – Around $90
A 20-game winner and 20-save season earner Eckersley in 1988, The Eck would become arguably the best closer of all-time later in his career.
Cal Ripken Jr. (#163) – Around $95
In 1988, Cal Ripken Jr. was well on his way to breaking Lou Gehrig’s iconic streak of most consecutive games played. He played in 160 games that season alone.
Wade Boggs (#37) – Around $100
The hitting machine Wade Boggs won his fourth batting title in 1988 with a .366 average to go along with 104 runs scored. He was a star of the late 80s.
Eric Davis (#211) – Around $110
One of the game’s rising stars, Eric “Buddy” Davis hit .293 with 27 home runs, 100 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in 1988 for the Reds. Injuries hampered his career potential.
Nolan Ryan (#161) – Around $115
At age 41 in 1988, Nolan Ryan was still dealing as one of baseball’s most intimidating pitchers with a 16-10 record and 225 strikeouts for the Astros.
Jose Canseco (#233) – Around $120
The first 40/40 player, Jose Canseco led the league in home runs (42), RBIs (124), and total bases in 1988 while helping the A’s to the AL pennant.
Kirby Puckett (#178) – Around $125
Already a two-time All-Star, Kirby Puckett hit .295 with 14 home runs and 81 RBIs in 1988 while leading the Twins to their first World Series title since 1965.
Roger Clemens (#181) – Around $130
The Rocket won his first Cy Young Award in 1986 and followed it up with a 20-9 record, 2.97 ERA, and 198 strikeouts for the Red Sox in 1988.
Dwight Gooden (#183) – Around $135
Coming off his Rookie of the Year and Cy Young season, Doc Gooden went 17-6 with a 2.81 ERA and 243 strikeouts for the Mets in 1988.
Orel Hershiser (#175) – Around $140
After throwing a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings to end the 1988 season, Orel Hershiser won both the Cy Young and World Series MVP awards while leading the Dodgers to a championship.
Rickey Henderson (#197) – Around $145
The all-time stolen base king, Rickey Henderson led the AL with 80 steals in 1988 to go along with a .276 average and 89 runs scored as one of baseball’s most electrifying players.
Barry Bonds (#199) – Around $150
Already one of the game’s top young stars, Barry Bonds hit .249 with 28 home runs and 76 RBIs for the Pirates in 1988. He would go on to break the career home run record.
Tom Glavine (#179) – Around $155
Glavine made his major league debut in 1988, going 5-1 with a 2.77 ERA for the Braves in a preview of a Hall of Fame career that included 305 wins and two Cy Young Awards.
Roger Clemens (#182) – Around $160
Clemens followed up his first Cy Young season with a second in 1988, going 20-9 with a 2.97 ERA and 198 strikeouts for the Red Sox.
Ken Griffey Jr. (#171) – Around $165
The rookie card of “The Kid,” who made his major league debut in 1988 at age 18 and hit .284 with 16 home runs and 47 RBIs in 61 games to earn ROY honors.
Greg Maddux (#180) – Around $170
Mad Dog won 18 games as a 22-year old for the Cubs in 1988, the first of four straight seasons with 18+ wins and a harbinger of a Hall of Fame career.
Nolan Ryan (#162) – Around $175
Ryan struck out a then-record 301 batters in 1978 and followed it up with 225 Ks for the Astros in 1988 at age 41, cementing his status as one of the game’s all-time greats.
Cal Ripken Jr. (#164) – Around $180
Ripken was well on his way to breaking Gehrig’s consecutive games played record, appearing in 160 games in 1988 while hitting .276 with 21 HRs and 84 RBIs for the Orioles.
Barry Bonds (#200) – Around $185
Already one of the game’s elite young stars, Bonds hit .249 with 28 HRs and 76 RBIs in 1988, a preview of a career that would see him break Hank Aaron’s home run record.
Ken Griffey Jr. (#172) – Around $190
The rookie card of the great “Junior” continued to gain value as his Hall of Fame career took off after a stellar 1988 that saw him win AL Rookie of the Year honors.
Roger Clemens (#183) – Around $195
Winning his second Cy Young Award in 1988 only 20-9 with a 2.97 ERA and 198 strikeouts for the Red Sox, cementing his status as one of the game’s best power pitchers.
Orel Hershiser (#176) – Around $200
Capturing both the Cy Young and World Series MVP awards in 1988 after throwing a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings to power the Dodgers to a title.
Ken Griffey Jr. (#170) – Around $225
The most valuable 1988 Donruss card is the true rookie card of Ken Griffey Jr., who was already showing signs of greatness in his partial 1988 season before blossoming into a superstar.
Star power, rookie cards, milestone achievements, and postseason heroics are what make the top 1988 Donruss cards so valuable in the hobby today. While not the flashiest vintage set, it provides a great snapshot of baseball in 1988 through memorable players like Griffey, Bonds, Clemens, Ripken and more.
