The 1989 Donruss baseball card set was released at the tail end of the baseball card boom of the late 1980s. Produced by the Donruss company, the 1989 set marked their seventh year producing major league baseball cards after starting in 1983. The 1989 Donruss set featured 660 total cards and included rookie cards of future Hall of Famers such as Barry Larkin, Tom Glavine, and Greg Maddux.
Some key details and highlights about the 1989 Donruss baseball card set include:
Design and Photography: The 1989 Donruss cards featured a simple yet classic design with a white border surrounding each player photo. The photos were in color and of generally good quality, though some were a bit dark. The front of each card displayed the player’s name, team, and position below the photo.
Rookies: As mentioned, the set included rookie cards for future stars Barry Larkin, Tom Glavine, and Greg Maddux. Other notable rookies included Scott Cooper, Gregg Olson, and Jeff Russell. Of these, Larkin and Maddux went on to have Hall of Fame careers while Glavine, Olson, and Russell also enjoyed long, productive MLB tenures.
Serial Numbers: Each 1989 Donruss card carried a unique four-digit serial number printed on the bottom front of the card. This was the last Donruss set to feature serial numbers, as they were dropped starting in 1990. Serial numbers from this set in pristine condition can add value for collectors.
Checklists and Inserts: The 1989 Donruss set included checklists, manager/coach cards, and “Diamond Kings” insert cards showing players in action shots. There was also a “Diamond Gems” parallel subset with glossy photos and a blue border/tint. These inserts provided collector variety beyond the base cards.
Star Players: The 1989 Donruss set included base cards for the game’s biggest stars of the late 1980s such as Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Kirby Puckett, and Jose Canseco. This was the height of the “Wax Pack Era” and these stars were extremely popular. Their rookie cards from past years were highly sought after by collectors.
Design Changes: Compared to previous years, the 1989 Donruss design had a cleaner, less busy look. Statistics were removed from the back of the cards in favor of short bios. Card stock was thinner but of high quality. Overall the set had a classic, understated MLB card aesthetic.
Production: It’s estimated that around 180 million 1989 Donruss cards were printed, which was actually lower than previous years as the market began to correct from its speculative peak. The set had widespread retail distribution through hobby shops, drug stores, and supermarkets.
In terms of the high-end hobby market, several key 1989 Donruss rookies and stars carry premium values when graded and preserved in mint condition. Some examples include:
Barry Larkin rookie (PSA 10): $2,000+
Tom Glavine rookie (PSA 10): $1,000+
Greg Maddux rookie (PSA 10): $800+
Ken Griffey Jr. (PSA 10): $300-500
Roger Clemens (PSA 10): $150-250
Bo Jackson (PSA 10): $100-200
Most common copies in played/good condition can be acquired for $1-5. The 1989 Donruss set remains very accessible and affordable for collectors, especially compared to some of the ultra-high prices seen for vintage 1950s/1960s cards.
The 1989 Donruss baseball card set was produced during the waning years of the “junk wax” era. It featured some of the most iconic rookies of the 1990s and captured star players from an exciting era in MLB history. The set retains a classic, understated design that has endured for collectors. Key rookies can be quite valuable when graded and preserved well, making this an important release from the tail end of the boom period in baseball cards.
