The 1990 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most popular releases of the late 1980s and early 1990s. With 752 total cards in the base set and attractive photography and design, 1990 Donruss remains a favorite among collectors. Let’s take a look at the top 10 most valuable and sought-after cards from the 1990 Donruss set based on condition, player performance, and collector demand.
Coming in at #10 is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was already building a name for himself in 1989 as one of the game’s brightest young stars with the Seattle Mariners. His rookie card shows promise of the future Hall of Famer he would become. Despite high print runs for rookie cards in the junk wax era, the Griffey Jr. rookie from 1990 Donruss still demands respectable prices today, even in lower grades. In near mint to mint condition, this card can fetch $30-50.
At #9 is Randy Johnson’s first Donruss card. “The Big Unit” was still in the early stages of his Hall of Fame career pitching for the Montreal Expos in 1990. His intimidating 6’10” frame and flame throwing left arm gave an indication of the dominant stretches that still lay ahead. Johnson would go on to record over 4,000 strikeouts in his career. This key early card can sell for around $50-75 in top condition due to Johnson’s elite status.
Cracking the top 8 is Jose Canseco’s card. Canseco had exploded onto the MLB scene in 1988 by becoming the first player ever to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season. His intimidating power paired with off-field antics made him one of the biggest stars in baseball at the time. Canseco’s 1990 Donruss remains one of his most identifiable early cards. Near mint to mint copies trade hands for around $75-100.
At #7 is the Cal Ripken Jr. card. Though not really considered a true “rookie” since Ripken broke in years earlier and was already a two-time All-Star, his card from 1990 was still one of his more scarce early issues. Ripken would go on to break Lou Gehrig’s storied ironman streak and cement his hall of fame plaque. Near mint examples can sell for $100-150 based on Ripken’s iconic status.
Taking the #6 spot is Ozzie Smith’s card. “The Wizard” was already a 10-time Gold Glove winner manning shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals by 1990. His highlight reel defense and flair made him a crowd favorite. Smith’s card remains one of the more visually appealing in the set due to its sharp action photography. Nice copies in the $150 range are common for this card.
Continuing our countdown at #5 is the Nolan Ryan card. Ryan was already deep into his Hall of Fame career splitting time between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros in 1990. As one of the most intimidating and prolific strikeout pitchers ever, Ryan’s card is a staple in any collection. While he no longer played for a big market team, the respect for Ryan’s dominance keeps near mint examples around the $200 price point.
Checking in at #4 is the Ryne Sandberg card. “Ryno” was the heart and soul of the Chicago Cubs franchise in the late 80s and early 90s. He was coming off three straight All-Star and Gold Glove seasons in 1990. Sandberg’s smooth left-handed swing and elite defensive skills at second base led to a Hall of Fame plaque. High grade versions hold a value of about $200-250 due to high collector demand for one of the best all-around players of his era.
The #3 card from 1990 Donruss is none other than Roger Clemens. At this point in his career “The Rocket” was already a two-time Cy Young Award winner anchoring the rotation for the Boston Red Sox. Clemens went on to win seven career Cy Youngs and chase down major pitching records. His powerhouse career path make early Clemens cards quite valuable for collectors. Near mint copies trade around the $300 range.
Coming in as the #2 most coveted card is Kirby Puckett’s first Donruss issue. The Twins superstar was coming off back-to-back World Series victories in 1987 and 1991 and was already a six-time All-Star by 1990. Puckett’s .318 career average, penchant for the clutch, and status as the face of Minnesota baseball give his rookie cards high demand. Near mint Puckett’s are consistently worth around $350-400 given his iconic status and high collector interest.
And finally, taking the crown as the single most valuable card from the 1990 Donruss set is Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie “Airbrush” variation. In this ultra-rare parallel version of his standard rookie card, Junior is pictured smiling and waving without the usual airbrushed helmet embellishment. Fewer than 10 of these elusive beauties are known to exist. The lone mint 9 copy that has surfaced in recent auction history sold for an astounding $90,000, showcasing its status as the true blue chip card from the 1990 Donruss issue.
These were the top 10 most coveted cards from the legendary 1990 Donruss set based on all-time performance, condition, scarcity, and lasting collector demand. The stars featured have proven to be among baseball’s finest players through history and their early cardboard remain iconic as a result.
