The 1988 Donruss baseball card set was issued midway through the 1988 MLB season and featured players and teams from that year. It was the 6th edition of Donruss’ flagship baseball card product and included several sought-after rookie cards and stars of the era. The design featured various action shots of players with their statistics and career highlights on the back. The set had 792 total cards and was sold in wax packs, rack packs, and factory sets.
Some of the top rookie cards in the 1988 Donruss set included Ken Griffey Jr., Tom Glavine, and Gregg Olson. Griffey’s rookie became one of the most iconic and valuable cards ever issued as his career took off and he became regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Even in PSA 10 gem mint condition, raw 1988 Donruss Griffey rookies still sell for thousands of dollars due to his popularity enduring decades after retirement.
Tom Glavine also had a hall of fame career that spanned two decades, mostly with the Atlanta Braves. His Cardinals rookie card showed promise for what was to come and also holds value today. Gregg Olson debuted with the Baltimore Orioles in 1988 and had a solid career as a closer, making three All-Star teams in the early 90s. While not in the same stratosphere of notoriety as Griffey, Olson’s rookie remains a key piece for Orioles and 80s collectors.
Besides rookies, the 1988 Donruss set featured superstars who were entering their prime or dominated the decade. Cards of Don Mattingly, Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Tim Raines, Roger Clemens, and Nolan Ryan were some of the top veteran chase cards. Other notables included Mark McGwire with the A’s and Will Clark of the Giants, who both went on to have outstanding careers. Kirby Puckett’s card from his 1987 AL batting title year with the Twins also holds nostalgia.
Condition is very important when valuing 1988 Donruss cards today. Even star player cards need to grade well to command big prices. But there are still many affordable common cards to collect from this fun vintage set. The designs had lots of action shots and stats that transport collectors back to that MLB season. Team sets can also be put together inexpensively by searching through bargain boxes.
While not quite as iconic as the beloved 1987 set, 1988 Donruss remains a highly sought vintage release. The exciting rookie class headlined by Griffey, strong veterans, and design elements make it a nostalgic trip back to the late 80s baseball era. Variations also added to the challenge of completion, like photo variations, printing plates, and errors. The flagship Donruss product kept building its reputation during the tail end of the boom period.
Although overshadowed by the popularity of Topps and its monopoly during the time, 1988 Donruss endures as an essential set for 80s collectors. Its stars, rookies, and memorable designs are part of baseball card history. While the ultra high-end classics may be out of reach for most collectors, there is still fun to be had building a team or player set at affordable prices. The memories of ripping packs as a kid and learning about players like Griffey, Glavine and more keep collectors coming back to this treasured piece of the hobby’s past.
