The 1990 Donruss baseball card set was released at the start of the new decade and contained a variety of rookie cards and stars from the 1989 MLB season. While not as iconic or valuable as some other vintage sets from the late 1980s, the 1990 Donruss set remains a popular and affordable vintage option for collectors. Let’s take a deeper look at the set contents, design, and current pricing for the top rookie cards and stars from 1990 Donruss.
The 1990 Donruss set contained 792 total cards and had the standard design format that Donruss used throughout the late 80s. The front of each card featured a color action photo of the player along with their name, team, and stats from the previous season. On the back, there was an additional career stats table as well as a short bio for each player. Some of the top rookies included in the 1990 Donruss set were Larry Walker, Moises Alou, David Justice, and Gregg Olson.
While not quite as iconic or valuable as the flagship Topps sets from the same year, 1990 Donruss does contain the rookie cards for several all-time great players and Hall of Famers. For example, the Barry Larkin rookie card is one of the key cards from the set. Larkin went on to have a stellar 19-year career entirely with the Cincinnati Reds that saw him win an NL MVP award in 1995. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012. In PSA 10 Gem Mint condition, Larkin’s 1990 Donruss rookie card currently sells for around $150-200.
Another valuable Hall of Fame rookie in the 1990 Donruss set is Tom Glavine’s card. Glavine went on to have a legendary career pitching for the Atlanta Braves that included two Cy Young awards. He was a key part of the dominant Braves rotations in the 1990s that led to their World Series titles in 1995 and 1991. In PSA 10 condition, Glavine’s rookie card sells in the range of $300-350. While not as valuable as some other vintage rookie cards, it remains a key piece for any Braves or Glavine collection.
In addition to rookie cards, the 1990 Donruss set also featured many of the game’s biggest stars from the late 80s and early 90s. For example, the Ken Griffey Jr. card from 1990 Donruss is one of the more popular veteran cards from the set. Griffey was already well on his way to a Hall of Fame career by 1990 as one of baseball’s best young outfielders. His smooth left-handed swing and effortless play in center field made him a fan favorite. In PSA 10 condition, Griffey’s 1990 Donruss card sells for around $75-100.
Another legendary slugger featured prominently in 1990 Donruss was Jose Canseco. Canseco had just finished his Rookie of the Year and MVP-winning 1988 season with the Oakland A’s when the 1990 Donruss set was released. As one of the first true “power hitter” stars of the late 80s and early steroid era, Canseco’s card remains popular. In PSA 10 condition, his 1990 Donruss card sells in the range of $40-60. While not quite as valuable as his iconic 1986 Topps rookie, it’s still an affordable way to add one of baseball’s biggest 80s stars to a collection.
In addition to stars, the 1990 Donruss set also included several other notable veterans like Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, and Roger Clemens. While not quite the rookie cards of Hall of Famers, these types of vintage stars cards can be found for affordable prices. For example, a PSA 10 1990 Donruss Wade Boggs card can be found for under $20. They make for great additions to any collection focused on specific eras or individual players.
While not the most valuable vintage set from the late 80s or early 90s, the 1990 Donruss baseball card release remains a popular and affordable option for collectors. The rookie cards of players like Barry Larkin, Tom Glavine, Larry Walker and more make it an important set despite not having true superstar rookies. Combined with star cards of Griffey, Canseco, and others, there is a lot to enjoy for fans of the late 80s/early 90s era of baseball cards. With prices ranging from under $20 to just over $300 for top rookies and stars, it offers something for all budget levels as well.
