The 1985 Donruss baseball card set was truly a landmark release that contained some of the most iconic and valuable cards in the hobby. While not as famous as some other vintage sets like Topps or Fleer, the ’85 Donruss set showcased the biggest stars and top rookies of the time in the brand’s unique photography style. With 792 total cards in the base set plus additional inserts, there are plenty of highly sought after gems to uncover from this release over 35 years later. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable cards from the 1985 Donruss set.
Perhaps the most famous and valuable card from the ’85 Donruss set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of if not the best rookie cards of all time, Griffey’s iconic swinging pose made him an instant star and future Hall of Famer. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples of this card regularly sell for well over $10,000 due to its extreme rarity and Griffey’s legendary career. Even well-centered raw copies in excellent condition demand prices in the multiple hundreds. No collection is truly complete without the iconic Junior rookie on Donruss stock.
Another hugely valuable rookie card from 1985 Donruss is Dwight Gooden’s. As a rookie, “Doc” Gooden led the NL in strikeouts and won Rookie of the Year honors on his way to being a key member of the ’86 Mets championship team. His powerful windup is captured perfectly on his Donruss RC. High-grade PSA 10 Gooden rookies have sold for over $6,000, showing his card’s strong demand. Likewise, fellow ’85 rookie cards of Roger Clemens and Barry Larkin are also very valuable and desirable for any vintage baseball card investor or collector.
In terms of star veterans, two of the most iconic and valuable 1985 Donruss cards are those of Ryne Sandberg and Ozzie Smith. Sandberg, in the midst of his 1984 MVP season, is pictured batting left-handed on his card, showcasing his smooth swing that was a key part of his Hall of Fame career. Top PSA 10 Sandberg cards have sold for over $1,000. Meanwhile, Ozzie Smith’s card features “The Wizard” making one of his trademark backhanded plays at shortstop, capturing why he redefined the position with his slick defense en route to Cooperstown. High-grade certified Ozzie Smiths also reach four figures.
Another all-time great with an excellent ’85 Donruss card is Mike Schmidt. Arguably the best third baseman in baseball history, Schmidt’s card depicts him in the midst of his mammoth home run swing. PSA 10 Schmidt rookies have sold for well over $500. Additional star cards that routinely sell for hundreds in top grades include those of Wade Boggs, Kirby Puckett, Nolan Ryan, and George Brett among many others. Don Mattingly also has a very nice card from his MVP 1985 season in this set.
In addition to the base set, the 1985 Donruss release included several popular insert sets that added to the excitement. The “Traded” set featured players who were dealt to new teams mid-season. Highlights include Dave Righetti’s first card as a Yankee and Gary Carter’s first Expo RC. Future HOF’ers like Rickey Henderson and Eddie Murray also had nice Traded inserts. The “Glossy Sendbacks” were ultra-rare pre-production samples that can sell for thousands in high grades. Overall team sets like the All-Stars are also popular subsets for team collectors.
While it doesn’t have the same iconic status as flagship releases from Topps or Fleer, the 1985 Donruss set deserves recognition as one of the most important vintage issues of the 1980s. Featuring a who’s who of stars from that era in the brand’s classic photography, there are numerous affordable stars but also high-value rookie cards and investment gems to be found if you dig through a box of this 35-year old set. For both nostalgia and investment potential, 1985 Donruss remains a hugely popular choice for collectors of all ages and will likely only increase in demand for years to come.
