The 1989 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most iconic and valuable sets produced during the junk wax era of the late 1980s. While sets from that time period are not generally known for their collectibility or investment potential today, there are some standout cards from the ’89 Donruss set that have retained or increased in value over the past 30+ years. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the best and most desirable cards collectors seek out from this 700+ card release.
One of the most obvious choices for the best 1989 Donruss card is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was already one of the most hyped prospects in baseball coming into the 1989 season and living up to expectations by winning Rookie of the Year honors. His iconic smiling face on the front of his Donruss rookie is now one of the most recognizable baseball cards ever made. In top gem mint condition, Griffey’s rookie regularly sells for well over $1000 and is the clear crown jewel of the entire ’89 Donruss set.
Another hugely valuable rookie card from 1989 Donruss is the Frank Thomas issue. Like Griffey, Thomas established himself as one of the game’s all-time great power hitters starting with his rookie campaign. High grade Thomas rookies can reach the $500-1000 range today. The Mark McGwire rookie is also a strong card to hold onto, with PSA 10 examples selling in the $300-500 range. Both McGwire and Thomas ended up having Hall of Fame caliber careers, cementing their rookie cards as important pieces for collectors.
In addition to the star rookies, there are some key veteran cards that have increased in demand and price over the decades. Perhaps the most obvious example is the Nolan Ryan card, featuring the legend’s last season with the Texas Rangers before retiring. Ryan’s dominance and records have cemented him as a fan favorite, making high grade versions of his ’89 Donruss card valued around $100-200 today. Another Texas Rangers legend, Pete Incaviglia, has a memorable rookie season in ’89 that is commemorated by his sharp looking Donruss issue. PSA 10 Incaviglia rookies can reach $75-150 online.
The 1989 Donruss set also featured several other stars whose careers blossomed in the late 80s and early 90s, making their cards quite collectible today. Ozzie Smith remained a fan favorite during his time with the Cardinals and his sharp defensive skills translated to strong demand for his ’89 Donruss issue, with PSA 10s bringing $50-100. Will Clark was coming off back-to-back All-Star seasons with the Giants, giving his ’89 Donruss card lasting appeal among collectors as well. And the set included Kirby Puckett’s first season winning a batting title and leading the Twins to the World Series, making his card a strong hold at $30-75 for high grades.
While the biggest stars and rookies understandably get much of the attention, savvy collectors know there are also hidden gems to be found throughout the 1989 Donruss set. Future Hall of Famer Tim Raines had one of his best seasons with the Expos in ’89 and his card can be acquired for under $10 in top condition. Dennis Eckersley’s card commemorates his first season after being traded to the A’s, where he would emerge as one of the best closers ever. And creative collectors enjoy tracking down unique parallels and variations, like the gold foil stamped parallel cards that were inserted roughly 1 in 600 packs.
While the 1989 Donruss set was produced during the infamous junk wax era, a select few cards starring all-time great players like Griffey, McGwire, Thomas, Ryan and others have stood the test of time. For savvy vintage baseball card investors, high grade examples from this set can offer strong returns decades later. The iconic rookie cards of future Hall of Famers will always be in high demand, but lesser-known veterans and parallels also provide affordable collecting and investing opportunities within the set. For fans of the late 80s era of baseball, the ’89 Donruss release vividly captures a special time in the game through its memorable photography and subject selection.
