The 1988 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most iconic issues of the late 1980s. While not the flashiest set of the time period in terms of design or photo selection, it featured some of the game’s biggest stars who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout rookie and veteran cards from the 1988 Donruss set that have become highly valuable over the past 30+ years.
Perhaps the most sought-after card from the 1988 Donruss set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of if not the best rookie card of all-time, Griffey’s 1988 Donruss issue shows him swinging a bat with an intense focus. Jr. would go on to have a legendary 22-year career, smacking 630 home runs and winning 10 Gold Gloves while playing for the Mariners and Reds. In pristine mint condition, Griffey’s rookie card can fetch thousands of dollars today. Another hugely valuable rookie is the Tim Salmon issue. Though not as heralded a player as Griffey, Salmon had a fine career with the Angels and his rookie is one of the most difficult to find in high grade from 1988 Donruss.
In terms of veteran stars, few can top the Kirby Puckett card from the 1988 Donruss set. Puckett is depicted grinning ear-to-ear in his Twins uniform, capturing his infectious energy and joy for the game. He would go on to help Minneapolis win two World Series in the late 80s/early 90s while establishing himself as one of the best all-around players of his generation. High-grade Puckett cards in the $7-10 range today. Another Twin who appears is Kent Hrbek, who is shown determinedly digging in at the plate. Hrbek was a stalwart for Minnesota throughout the 1980s and his card remains popular.
Two other huge stars featured prominently in the 1988 Donruss set are Ozzie Smith and Tony Gwynn. The “Wizard of Oz” card depicts Smith making one of his signature backhanded plays for the Padres, showcasing his unparalleled defensive skills that would eventually earn him a spot in Cooperstown. Gwynn’s issue shows him striding confidently in the batter’s box, foreshadowing his eventual 8 Batting Titles. Both Smith and Gwynn put together Hall of Fame careers and their ’88 Donruss cards are always in high demand.
Moving to the American League, two future Hall of Famers and rivals who defined baseball in the late 80s/90s also have standout cards in the 1988 Donruss set. The Nolan Ryan card pictures “The Ryan Express” firing a 100 mph heater for the Astros, capturing the sheer velocity and intimidation he brought to the mound well into his 40s. Across the diamond is Roger Clemens’ Red Sox card, showing him windmill windup. Both Ryan and Clemens would pile up strikeouts and accolades for decades, making their ’88 Donruss issues quite collectible today.
A couple of other top AL stars in 1988 who received great cards were Wade Boggs for the Red Sox and Rickey Henderson of the A’s. Boggs is stoically crouched in the batter’s box, as he was one of the most consistent hitters of the 1980s. Meanwhile, Henderson’s card portrays him in motion running the bases, highlighting his unparalleled speed and base-stealing prowess. Both Boggs and Henderson were fixtures for their clubs throughout the late 80s and their Donruss cards hold value.
While not the flashiest design ever, the 1988 Donruss baseball card set featured young stars like Griffey Jr. and Salmon as well as veteran greats like Puckett, Gwynn, Smith, Ryan, Clemens, Boggs and Henderson. These players all went on to have Hall of Fame-caliber careers, making their rookie cards and veteran issues from the 1988 Donruss set highly sought after and valuable in the hobby today for collectors. The combination of star power, memorable photos and players’ eventual on-field success have cemented many 1988 Donruss cards as classics over three decades later.
