The 1987 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most popular and highly collected issues from the late 1980s. While not as iconic or valuable as some other vintage sets from that era, the ’87 Donruss cards still hold nostalgia for many collectors and contain some true gem cards that are highly sought after to this day. With 792 total cards in the base set plus additional inserts, the 1987 Donruss release featured a wide range of stars, rookies, and future Hall of Famers to keep collectors busy searching packs. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout cards from this classic 80s release.
One of the most coveted rookie cards from the 1987 Donruss set is none other than Toronto Blue Jays slugger John Olerud. As the #3 overall pick in the 1989 draft, Olerud went on to have a stellar 17-year MLB career and was known for his elite batting eye and consistency at the plate. His rookie card is a true gem in pristine condition due to its rarity and the player’s accomplishments. Graded examples in Mint condition regularly sell for well over $100. Another highly sought rookie is that of Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Curt Schilling. Though he wouldn’t break out as a true ace until later in his career, Schilling established himself as one of the game’s best postseason pitchers of all time. His ’87 Donruss RC remains quite valuable to this day.
In terms of superstar veterans, few can top the 1987 Donruss card of New York Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez. Already a seasoned veteran and coming off a World Series title with the Mets, Hernandez’s smooth left-handed swing made him one of the best hitters of the 1980s. His card remains one of the most iconic from the set. Another true icon from the late 80s is Oakland Athletics slugger Jose Canseco. Already well on his way to 40/40 status, Canseco’s rookie season power surge made him a fan favorite. His ’87 Donruss issue shows him in the classic A’s yellow and green colors and is a highly collectible card for any fan of the Bash Brother era.
Two other true Hall of Fame talents that are highly sought in the 1987 Donruss set are Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones and Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tom Seaver. As one of the greatest switch hitters in MLB history, Jones’ rookie card holds nostalgia for collectors of the era. Seaver meanwhile was already a first-ballot Hall of Famer by 1987 but remained a dominant force on the mound. Both cards command strong prices today. Another Braves star, pitcher Tom Glavine, has one of the nicer rookie cards from the set as well. Glavine would go on to have a first-ballot HOF career mostly with the Braves and Mets.
In terms of oddball cards that stand out, the 1987 Donruss set featured “Traded” variants for players that switched teams in the offseason. Notable examples include the traded cards of slugger Andre Dawson (from Cubs to Red Sox) and pitcher Nolan Ryan (from the Astros to the Astros). Both were superstar veterans by 1987 and their traded variants carry premiums. The set is also known for its “Diamond Kings” parallel subset, which featured foil treatment on a selection of star players. High-grade examples of Diamond Kings cards for the likes of Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Rickey Henderson are big ticket items.
When it comes to team sets, collectors love to track down complete runs featuring their favorite franchises. Popular team sets from the 1987 Donruss issue include the Toronto Blue Jays, led by rookie sensation Olerud; the New York Mets, powered by Hernandez and others; and the Oakland Athletics, headlined by Canseco. Other strong team sets include those of the Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, and Atlanta Braves. For collectors focused on a specific franchise, completing the 1987 Donruss team set can be a fun and rewarding collecting goal.
While not the most iconic vintage baseball card set, 1987 Donruss remains hugely popular with collectors due to its memorable rookie cards, true superstar veterans of the era, and nostalgia for 80s baseball cards in general. Keys like the Olerud, Schilling, and Canseco rookies as well as stars like Hernandez, Jones, and Seaver ensure this issue stays relevant in the hobby. For anyone collecting cards from the late 80s, finding and completing team sets from the 1987 Donruss release is a must. The combination of stars, oddballs, and parallels in this 792-card base set provide something for everyone.
