The 1989 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. Produced by Donruss at the height of the baseball card boom, the 1989 Donruss cards featured some of the biggest stars and rookie cards from that era. While not quite as sought after as the flagship Topps sets from the same year, the 1989 Donruss cards remain highly collectible and contain several cards that stand out as some of the best from the entire set.
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card
Undoubtedly the most famous and valuable card from the 1989 Donruss set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the best baseball cards of all time, Griffey’s rookie exploded in popularity and price in the late 80s and early 90s as his Hall of Fame career took off. The Griffey Jr. rookie card featured a bright smiling photo of the emerging young star in a Mariners uniform. While production numbers on Griffey rookies were high overall, high-grade versions of this card in mint condition regularly sell for thousands of dollars today. The Griffey Jr. rookie is truly the crown jewel of the 1989 Donruss set.
Greg Maddux Rookie Card
Another highly sought after rookie card from 1989 Donruss is that of future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux. Maddux had just begun to establish himself as one of the game’s elite pitchers during his early years with the Chicago Cubs. His rookie card shows Maddux in a windup motion on the mound in a Cubs uniform. While not quite as valuable as the Griffey, PSA 10 graded versions of the Maddux rookie still sell for hundreds of dollars. For Cubs collectors and those seeking one of the best pitcher cards of the late 80s/early 90s era, the Maddux rookie is a true gem.
Frank Thomas Rookie Card
Rounding out the trio of star rookie cards in the 1989 Donruss set is “The Big Hurt” Frank Thomas. Thomas was just beginning to display the raw power that would make him a perennial American League MVP candidate in the coming years. His rookie card features an action shot of Thomas at the plate for the Chicago White Sox. While production numbers were higher than the Griffey and Maddux, mint condition Thomas rookies still hold significant value, especially for White Sox collectors. This card captures one of the game’s most feared sluggers at the dawn of his Hall of Fame career.
Barry Bonds Card
One of the most visually striking cards in the entire 1989 Donruss set is that of Barry Bonds. The photo, taken from a low angle, shows Bonds towering over the plate in a classic intimidating batting stance. What makes this card so impressive is that it came at the very start of Bonds’ dominance as arguably the best all-around player of the 1990s. While he was just starting to emerge in 1989, the Bonds card stands out for capturing perhaps the game’s most talented five-tool player before he became the superstar he would soon become. High grade versions command prices reflecting Bonds’ legendary status.
Rickey Henderson Card
Another star player who was just starting to enter his prime during the 1989 season was Rickey Henderson. Widely considered the best leadoff hitter and baserunner in baseball history, Henderson’s Donruss card is one of the most exciting from the set. It features Rickey stealing a base with his signature speed and style. Henderson would go on to break the all-time stolen base record in 1991, making his 1989 Donruss card an important piece of cardboard history. It captures the thrill of Henderson’s elite base running abilities during one of the most exciting periods of his Hall of Fame career.
Nolan Ryan Card
While starting to reach the later stages of his legendary career, “The Ryan Express” was still overpowering hitters on a regular basis for the Texas Rangers in 1989. His Donruss card shows the flame throwing righty winding up for one of his blazing fastballs. What makes this card so impressive is that it was among the last to feature Ryan during his active playing days before his retirement after the 1993 season. For collectors of one of the game’s all-time great pitchers, the 1989 Ryan card is a must-have as it captures “The Ryan Express” at full steam during one of his final seasons terrorizing hitters.
While not the flagship brand of the late 80s, the 1989 Donruss set remains a highly collectible release. It features rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Griffey, Maddux, and Thomas, as well as stars in their primes like Bonds, Henderson, and Ryan. For both investors and fans of the players, cards like these make the 1989 Donruss set one of the most memorable and valuable releases from the entire baseball card boom era. Its top cards stand out as some of the finest in the hobby from that iconic time period in sports collectibles.
