The 1985 Donruss baseball set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the hobby. While not the flashiest or highest graded sets, the ’85 Donruss cards hold a special place in the hearts of many collectors due to the elite talent featured. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the standout rookie and star player cards from the 1985 Donruss set that still demand premium prices to this day.
The obvious #1 card from the 1985 Donruss set is the Kirby Puckett rookie card. Puckett went on to have a Hall of Fame career largely spent with the Minnesota Twins, winning six Gold Gloves and hitting over 2500 hits. His iconic smile and talent made him a fan favorite. In top grade of mint or gem mint 10, the Puckett rookie regularly sells for over $1000. Even well-worn low-grade examples still demand $50-100 due to the strong collector demand for this rookie card of a cherished MLB star.
Another hugely popular rookie from the 1985 Donruss set is the Dwight Gooden card. “Doc” Gooden was starting to generate tremendous hype in 1984 after winning Rookie of the Year honors and helped lead the New York Mets to a World Series title. His rookie card shows him as a beaming 20-year-old with a serious fastball. In mint condition this Gooden rookie has sold for over $2000. It remains one of the most highly desired vintage rookie cards for any player.
The Greg Maddux and Barry Larkin rookies from the 1985 Donruss set also generate collector buzz. Maddux went on to rack up 355 career wins and 4 Cy Young Awards over 23 big league seasons in a Hall of Fame career. His rookie exhibit the studious-looking hurler in a Cubbies cap. High grade Maddux rookies have cracked $1000. Meanwhile the Larkin card features the shortstop as a confident-looking Cincinnati Red. He’d go on to have a stellar career, winning the 1995 MVP award. Top Larkin rookies sell for $400-500 range.
Moving past rookies, the 1985 Donruss set also highlights many superstars entering their primes like Roger Clemens and Wade Boggs. The Clemens card depicts “Rocket” as a 23-year-old with a fearsome glare, already showing his dominance on the mound before winning 7 Cy Youngs. Pristine Clemens’ have sold for over $1000. Meanwhile the Boggs card presents the soon-to-be batting champion grinning in a Red Sox jersey. He took home 5 batting titles in the 1980s. High grades of these star player cards easily reach the $200-300 range.
Another supreme talent and huge name featured prominently in the 1985 Donruss set is Ryne Sandberg. The “Ryno” card portrays the smooth-fielding second baseman with the Cubs, on the verge of winning the 1984 MVP award and later 10 Gold Gloves. This iconic Cubs star card in top condition squeezes just over the $1000 sales threshold. The sketched portrayal of Johnny Bench on his card also fetches $200-300 despite featuring a past-his-prime 36-year-old Bench with the Astros.
Some other notables and key rookie cards from the 1985 Donruss baseball set include Bob Horner, Orel Hershiser, Lance Parrish, Jack Clark, and Tom Herr. Each had solid MLB careers and their rookie cards remain desirable to collectors to this day, seeing prices of $50-$150 depending on grade. The backs of all the 1985 Donruss cards also feature fun biographies of the players that added to the appeal of this classic set for collectors.
While production numbers were high for the 1985 Donruss baseball card set compared to modern issues, it contains some of the most iconic and valuable cards in the hobby. Top rookies like Puckett, Gooden, Maddux and Larkin are forever cemented in cardboard collectible history due to their HOF careers. But stars like Boggs, Clemens, Sandberg and Bench also shine brightly in the set. Over 35 years later, the ’85 Donruss release still holds up remarkably well and provides a true snapshot of the game at that moment in time through memorable cardboard portraits. Its lasting impact and connection to beloved MLB greats ensures the set remains a bedrock issue for vintage collectors.
