The 1990 Donruss baseball card set marked the company’s return to the hobby after a multi-year absence. While not the most visually striking design compared to some other releases that year, the 1990 Donruss set contained several key rookie cards that have grown tremendously in value over the past three decades. With the baseball card market booming, many consider the 1990 Donruss set to be a true sleeper that contains hidden gems. Here are the top 10 most valuable cards from the 1990 Donruss baseball card set based on PSA 10 gem mint condition:
Ken Griffey Jr. – Widely considered one of the greatest five-tool players ever, Ken Griffey Jr. had one of the sweetest left-handed swings in baseball history. His 1990 Donruss rookie card showed flashes of his future superstardom and sells for around $250 in gem mint condition. While not his official rookie due to also being in the 1989 Upper Deck set, Griffey’s smiling face and smooth left-handed swing translated into iconic cardboard.
John Olerud – The smooth-swinging first baseman had one of the strangest, yet fascinating careers in baseball history. A career .295 hitter primarily known for his patience and keen batting eye, Olerud’s 1990 Donruss rookie card sells in the $275 range. Not nearly as well-known as other sluggers, his card value has risen steadily due to his respectable 21-year MLB career and mystique as a stellar pure hitter.
Bobby Bonilla – A smooth fielding third baseman with surprising power, Bonilla put together a very solid 19-year MLB career that saw him hit .279 with 287 home runs and 1,173 RBI. His 1990 Donruss rookie card sells in the $300 range due largely to his lengthy, respectable career more than any singular outstanding season or accolade. While never a superstar, Bonilla’s long career at a solid offensive level helps this card maintain value.
Todd Zeile – Primarily a third baseman and corner outfielder, Todd Zeile put together a very respectable 16-year MLB career that saw him hit .258 with 176 home runs and 701 RBI. His 1990 Donruss rookie card sells in the $325 range due largely to his lengthy big-league tenure. Despite never achieving superstardom, Zeile’s longevity and versatility help this card remain among the more valuable options from the 1990 Donruss set.
Paul Molitor – A hall of fame second baseman and utility player who won the 1987 AL MVP Award, Molitor remains one of the most consistent and respected hitters of the 1980s and 1990s. Incredibly, his 1990 Donruss traded card in PSA 10 condition sells for around $350 despite having previous cards in numerous other sets as well as not really being considered his true “rookie” card. Molitor’s career .306 average and ability to play any position help this card hold steady value.
Jim Abbott – Born without a right hand, Jim Abbott delivered one of the greatest feel-good sports stories of all-time by enjoying a 10-year MLB career entirely as a starting pitcher. Abbott’s no-hitter for the Yankees in 1993 is one of the most inspiring accomplishments in baseball annals. His 1990 Donruss rookie card in PSA 10 condition fetches over $400 due to his legendary status as an inspiration and his steady, admirable career numbers which included 87 wins and a 3.92 ERA across 10 seasons in the big leagues.
Dwight Gooden – As a rookie in 1984-85, “Doc” Gooden took baseball by storm winning the 1985 NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards while leading the Mets to a World Series title. Off-field issues stalled his career, but longevity matters little for this card as his nearly unmatched dominance as a twentysomething superstar propels his 1990 Donruss traded card value to around $450 in gem mint condition due solely to his massive ’80s stardom and hype as the best pitching prospect ever.
Gary Sheffield – A tremendously talented right fielder and third baseman, Sheffield clubbed 509 career home runs and drove in over 1,676 runs while hitting .292 across 22 MLB seasons for 8 different teams spanning three decades of baseball. His 1990 Donruss rookie card sells for around $500 due to his prolific power and lengthy, durable career filled with All-Star appearances and Silver Slugger Awards. Sheffield remained a force at the plate throughout his career and beyond expected norms for typical player decline.
Nolan Ryan – Already a legend entering his age 43 season with the Rangers in 1990, Ryan’s express train fastball knew no equal in baseball history. A five-time MLB strikeout king and seven-time no-hitter thrower, Ryan’s name alone propels his 1990 Donruss traded card to around $600. While not considered his true “rookie” card due to debuting in 1966, iterations of Ryan from any era are regarded as legendary in the hobby due to his unparalleled career. At 57 career one-hitters, Ryan’s cards from the late stages of his career remain highly valuable relics.
Frank Thomas – Dubbed “The Big Hurt,” Thomas bashed 521 home runs and drove in 1,704 runs while batting .301 for his brilliant 19-year career primarily spent in a White Sox uniform. His 1990 Donruss traded card, which may be his most famous and iconic due to his debut coming as the #7 overall pick in the 1989 amateur draft, fetches an astonishing $800-1,000 in PSA 10 condition. Simply put, Thomas crafted a Hall of Fame resume as one of the most dominant right-handed hitters of the 1990s steroid era, and his 1990 card signifies the promise of his start.
While not the flashiest baseball card design of 1990, Donruss provided the cards that launched or sustained legends like Griffey, Thomas, and Ryan. Over 30 years later, gem mint examples of these stars and more continue to soar up prestigious want lists and rake in big money. Savvy collectors see great long-term value potential remaining for intact high-grade copies of the 1990 Donruss set due to the timeless nature of the players and careers commemorated within.
