The 1990 Donruss baseball card set is highly sought after by collectors due to the rookie cards it features of future Hall of Famers and all-time great players. While there are over 700 cards in the set, some stand out far above the rest in terms of their scarcity and the talent level of the players depicted. Let’s take an in-depth look at the most valuable 1990 Donruss cards that can fetch thousands of dollars or more in gem mint condition.
Perhaps the most coveted card from the 1990 Donruss set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey would go on to have a legendary 22-year career, smacking 630 home runs and winning 10 Gold Glove Awards. His sweet left-handed swing and graceful swagger in center field made him a fan favorite. The Griffey Jr. rookie card is scarce in high grades due to the massive popularity of the set. In pristine gem mint 10 condition, it can sell for over $10,000. Even well-centered near mint 9 copies still trade hands for $1,500 or more.
Another gigantic name with a highly sought rookie in the ’90 Donruss set is Frank Thomas. As “The Big Hurt,” Thomas smashed 521 home runs and doubled as one of the best pure hitters of his generation. Thomas rocketed to superstardom immediately, claiming the American League’s Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in 1990. Like Griffey, the scarcity of high-grade Thomas rookies lifts their values significantly. A PSA 10 Thomas rookie could be worth $6,000, with a PSA 9 possibly selling for around $1,200. He’s widely considered one of the best right-handed hitters of all time.
Roberto Alomar was another future Hall of Famer who debuted in the 1990 Donruss set. Alomar made 12 All-Star teams in his 17-year career as a slick-fielding, high-average second baseman. He had a sweet left-handed swing and tremendous speed on the bases as well. The Alomar rookie is more plentiful than the aforementioned cards, but still shows strong demand. Near-gem PSA 9s often go for $500-700, with flawless PSA 10 specimens reaching up to $2,500. Alomar’s nimble defense, power/speed combo, and Gold Glove accolades made him a perennial star.
Chipper Jones, one of the game’s all-time great switch-hitters, also got his start in the 1990 Donruss set. Jones spent his whole 19-year career mashing for the Atlanta Braves, where he racked up 448 home runs and was the cornerstone player on their 1995 World Series championship team. His versatility and smooth lefty/righty swing made him a constant threat. PSA 9 Jones rookies fetch $250-350, and a black-border PSA 10 could go for over $1,000 due to his legend status within the Braves franchise. He was one of the most complete hitters of his era at third base.
Other notable stars from the 1990 Donruss rookie class include Jeff Bagwell, Tom Glavine, Moises Alou, and Jim Thome. Bagwell smacked 449 home runs as a breakout first baseman for the Houston Astros and owns a career OPS+ of 149. Near-mint PSA 9 Bagwells trade around $200, while a Gem Mint 10 could command over $500. Tom Glavine, one of the greatest pitchers in Mets/Braves history, accumulated 305 wins and dominated for two decades. A PSA 9 Glavine rookie might sell for $75-100. Moises Alou hit 341 career home runs with a robust .303 average and was a key part of the ‘97 Marlins’ World Series title. Near-mint Alou rookies bring around $60-80. And Jim Thome hammered 612 homers, trailing only Barry Bonds on the all-time home run leaderboard. PSA 9 Thome rookies change hands for $75-125 depending on centering and condition.
Beyond the star rookies, other valuable 1990 Donruss cards include superstars like Nolan Ryan, whose final year produced a PSA 10 that could reach $400. Kirby Puckett’s offensive skills and Gold Glove defense in center made him a constant fan favorite for the Twins – a PSA 9 would sell for roughly $150-200. And Roberto Clemente, whose death in a plane crash attempting to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua only added to his legendary status, has a rare PSA 10 valued near $1,000 due to his humanitarian impact on and off the field.
While the 1990 Donruss baseball card set featured over 700 cards, the rookie cards and stars within hold immense value today. In gem mint condition, the Griffey Jr., Thomas and others can earn huge sums. But even well-centered copies of future Hall of Famers and all-time great players like Alomar, Jones, Bagwell and Glavine still command hundreds due to their excellence on the diamond. For baseball card investors and collectors, the 1990 Donruss cards remain a highly sought vintage release full of enduring sports legends.
