The 1989 Donruss baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. While it may not be as well known as the iconic 1987 or 1988 Topps sets, the ’89 Donruss set featured some huge young stars and future Hall of Famers that have maintained their value over the decades. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the key 1989 Donruss rookie cards and other cards that are worth significant money today for collectors.
One of the biggest stars and most valuable cards from the 1989 Donruss set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was already one of the game’s brightest young stars in 1989 after making his major league debut at age 19 the previous season. His sweet left-handed swing and effortless athleticism made him a fan favorite. The Griffey rookie card has maintained iconic status among collectors and has increased steadily in value over the years. In near-mint to mint condition, the Griffey ’89 Donruss rookie will fetch $300-500. High-grade copies in gem mint (MT-10) condition have sold for over $2,000.
Another huge star and valuable rookie from the 1989 Donruss set is the Barry Bonds card. Bonds was already establishing himself as one of the game’s best players in 1989, his third big league season. His rookie season in 1986 was with the Pittsburgh Pirates. But the ’89 Donruss card is considered his true rookie by most collectors since it was the first card released of him as a regular player after breaking out. High-grade Bonds rookies in MT-8 or above condition can sell for $150-250. Like Griffey, the Bonds has increased in value steadily and is a must-have for any vintage baseball card collection.
In addition to Griffey and Bonds, the 1989 Donruss set featured several other young stars who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers, making their rookie cards quite valuable today. One is the Tom Glavine rookie card. Glavine had just broken into the majors with the Atlanta Braves in 1987 but established himself as one of their staff aces by 1989. His rookie card typically sells for $75-125 in top condition. Another is the Greg Maddux rookie, which fetches a similar $75-125 price range for an MT-8 or better copy. Both Glavine and Maddux would have dominant careers and anchor some of the best Braves staffs of all time.
In addition to rookie stars, the 1989 Donruss set also featured cards of established veterans that have maintained or increased in value. One is the Nolan Ryan card from his final season in the majors with the Texas Rangers. Ryan was already a living legend in 1989 at age 42, holding numerous career records. His ’89 Donruss card sells for $15-25 and is a must-have for any Ryan collection. Another is the Ozzie Smith card from his prime years with the St. Louis Cardinals. As one of the best defensive shortstops ever, Smith’s smooth fielding made him a fan favorite. His ’89 Donruss card can fetch $10-15.
The 1989 Donruss set also featured cards of young stars who were just breaking out but hadn’t achieved superstardom yet. Their cards have increased significantly in value as their careers developed. One is the Frank Thomas rookie, which sells in the $75-125 range. Thomas would go on to have one of the best power-hitting careers for a first baseman ever. Another is the Jeff Bagwell rookie, which fetches $50-100 depending on condition. Bagwell established himself as one of the game’s top sluggers in the 1990s. Both Thomas and Bagwell have seen steady increases in the values of their rookie cards over the years.
While stars like Griffey, Bonds, Glavine and Maddux dominate the high-end of the 1989 Donruss set in terms of value, there are also several other valuable cards outside the rookies. One is the Rickey Henderson card from his prime years dominating stolen bases with the Oakland A’s. In top condition, it sells for $15-25. Another is the Wade Boggs card from his batting title years with the Boston Red Sox. It goes for $10-15. The Nolan Ryan Express insert card, featuring an action shot of the flamethrower in peak form, commands $25-50 depending on condition. The Mike Schmidt MVP Tribute parallel insert is also quite valuable at $20-40.
While it may not achieve the same lofty heights as the 1987 or 1988 Topps sets, the 1989 Donruss baseball card set remains a gold mine for collectors. It features the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux. It also has valuable cards of stars in their prime like Rickey Henderson, Wade Boggs and Nolan Ryan. For young star cards, the Frank Thomas and Jeff Bagwell rookies stand out. Across the board, values have increased steadily for this iconic ’80s set over the decades. With its star power and nostalgia factor, the 1989 Donruss set looks poised to remain a collector favorite and maintain strong values for years to come.
