Introduction to 1989 Donruss Baseball Cards
The 1989 Donruss baseball set was issued during a transition period for the Donruss brand. While Donruss had produced popular baseball cards throughout the 1980s, the company was acquired by The Upper Deck Company in 1991. As such, the 1989 Donruss set stands out as one of the final baseball issues solely produced under the classic Donruss label before the Upper Deck era began.
The 1989 Donruss baseball card set contains 330 cards and was designed similarly to Donruss releases from the mid-1980s. The fronts of the cards featured individual player photos with names and teams printed at the bottom in white text. On the backs, stats from the previous season were provided along with a brief biography for each player.
Two parallels were also included within the 1989 Donruss set. The Golden Cards parallel featured foil stamping and had a print run of one per pack. Meanwhile, Super Royals parallel cards highlighted Kansas City players and had a print run of one per every four factory sets.
Tracking PSA Grading and Prices for Key 1989 Donruss Cards
While not quite as coveted or high-value as flagship releases from Topps or Fleer in the late 80s, the 1989 Donruss set does contain some noteworthy rookie and star player cards that demand a premium in high grades fromProfessional Sports Authenticator (PSA). Here is a breakdown of PSA population data and average sales prices for some of the most desirable 1989 Donruss cards:
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card: Considered one of the true star rookie cards of the late 80s/early 90s, Griffey’s iconic Donruss rookie consistently sells for strong prices relative to PSA grade. An ungraded copy might fetch $50-75 raw, while a PSA 9 copy has averaged $350-400 and PSA 10 examples have sold from $1,000 up to nearly $3,000. At last check, PSA had graded over 5,700 Griffey rookie Donruss cards with only 112 earning the coveted black label PSA 10 designation.
Frank Thomas Rookie Card: Like Griffey’s, Thomas’ rookie is highly regarded from the 1989 Donruss set. PSA 9 copies have sold in the $150-250 range on average, while a PSA 10 recently brought nearly $900. With over 4,000 graded and just 48 PSA 10s, it remains an attainable but challenging rookie card to find in pristine condition.
Barry Larkin Rookie Card: Larkin’s card has gained more recognition in recent years but still lags Griffey and Thomas’ rookies in terms of value. Ungraded copies sell in the $20-30 range. Mint PSA 9 examples have brought $80-150 at auction, while a PSA 10 would be worth $300-500+. PSA has certified around 2,300 total with only 22 earning a black label perfect 10 grade.
Nolan Ryan: Always popular due to his status as a pitching legend, Ryan’s 1989 Donruss typically sells for $5-10 ungraded and $20-40 in PSA 9 condition. PSA Gem Mint 10s where his centering and corners look razor sharp have sold from $125 up to $250 with strong demand.
Roger Clemens: As one of baseball’s most decorated power pitchers, Clemens cards hold value as well. Ungraded examples sell for $5-10. In top-notch PSA 9 condition, Clemens’ 1989 Donruss has averaged around $30-50 at auction. Only four PSA Gem Mint 10 grades exist at last check, making a perfect example quite rare.
Overall Set Completion and Team Sets
Complete ungraded 330-card factory sets in average condition regularly sell for $50-75. Top-rated PSA 9 exemplars in pristine condition have brought $250-350.
Partial factory subsets focused on star players or popular teams also maintain appeal. Unopened 1989 Donruss Blue Jays factory subsets (27 cards) sell for $10-15 raw or $30 PSA 9. Expos subsets have also gained popularity.
Individual team sets graded by PSA as a whole also hold value relative to the population report data. PSA 9 Kansas City Royals and Boston Red Sox team sets have each sold for over $150 given their stars and notoriety from the late ’80s.
As a whole, while not the most historically important or valuable release, 1989 Donruss baseball cards remain popular with collectors and nostalgic fans of the brands’ classic cardboard era. Key rookie cards hold long-term appeal and investment potential if procured and conserved in pristine conditioned, while more common parallels and stars provide affordable nostalgia for set builders and team collectors alike. With strong production but limited high-grade populations, the 1989 Donruss set maintains relevance today especially relative to PSA certification levels.
