The 1988 Donruss set is considered one of the most iconic releases from the late 1980s and includes some extremely valuable rookie cards that are highly sought after by serious baseball card collectors. While there are several cards in the set that can fetch high prices, here are some of the most notable:
Ken Griffey Jr. RC (card #216) – Widely considered the most valuable card from the 1988 Donruss set, Griffey’s rookie is arguably one of the most iconic in the entire hobby. Often referred to as the “Golden Griffey”, this card has routinely sold for well over $10,000 in pristine gem mint condition. In high grades like PSA 10, examples have even been known to sell for upwards of $100,000. What makes Griffey’s rookie so desirable is not only his legendary career, but also the photography and centering quality on this particular card. It’s an instant recognizer for any baseball card collector and fetches astronomical prices to this day.
Greg Maddux RC (card #325) – As one of the greatest pitchers of all-time and a surefire Hall of Famer, Maddux’s rookie card also holds tremendous value. While not quite on the level of Griffey, PSA 10 examples can still sell for $5,000+ due to his career achievements which include 4 Cy Young awards. Even in lower grades, this popular rookie consistently trades hands for well over $1,000. Maddux’s impeccable control and longevity as a top of the rotation starter enhances the collector value of his debut Donruss issue.
Tom Glavine RC (card #415) – Another elite pitcher who had a long and productive career, Glavine’s rookie is the 3rd most valuable from the 1988 Donruss set. Like Maddux, he was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame and won multiple Cy Young awards which adds to the collector demand for his first cardboard. Pristine PSA 10 examples can sell for upwards of $3,000 while most graded copies trade between $500-1000 depending on condition. It’s an indispensable rookie card for any Atlanta Braves collection.
Ben McDonald RC (card #620) – As the number 1 overall pick in the 1989 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, McDonald’s career never quite lived up to the lofty expectations. His rookie card remains quite coveted and valuable due to the excitement surrounding his pro potential coming out of LSU. PSA 10 examples exceed $1,000 and most graded copies sell in the $300-500 range. Any Orioles collector will want to own this iconic yet underrated issue.
Sandy Alomar Jr. RC (card #113) – A superb defensive catcher and 6-time All-Star, Alomar had a long and productive big league tenure. His rookie card is one of the most sought after short prints from the 1988 set, with the parallel version being exponentially more valuable. Still, even basic PSA 10 commons can sell for over $500 due to his durable career. This recognizes Alomar as one of the stars of the era for collecting purposes.
Barry Larkin RC (card #640) – A lifetime Cincinnati Red and recently inducted Hall of Famer, Larkin was one of the premier shortstops of the late 80s and 90s. His rookie card is considered extremely scarce in high grade and therefore quite valuable to completists. PSA 10 examples regularly sell for over $1,000 at auction. Larkin’s impressive 12-year career and one MVP award in 1995 make this a pivotal PC item.
Thomas Howard RC (card #244) – A virtual unknown today, Howard’s rookie was one of the biggest short prints and chase cards from the 1988 Donruss set during its original release era. While he didn’t have much of an MLB impact, this scarce issue remains highly sought after to this day. PSA 10 copies seldom become available and have been known to realize over $2,000 due to its low population. A true oddball find in pristine condition.
While there are other valuable 1989 Donruss rookies and stars, the aforementioned players represent the true heavy hitters and most desired cards from the set by today’s standards. Griffey, Maddux and Glavine have emerged as undisputed standouts due to future Hall of Fame careers, while others like Larkin and Alomar hold collectors value as well. Condition is critical, and high grade PSA 10 examples will always demand the biggest prices. For historical significance, legacy and relative scarcity today, this iconic late 80s Donruss release remains a cornerstone of the modern sportscard collecting era.
