The 1987 Donruss baseball card set is one of the most iconic releases in the history of the hobby. While it may not be the flashiest or most aesthetically pleasing design compared to some other years, the 1987 Donruss set stands out most for the quality of the rookie cards it featured. Chief among them was the group labeled as “Rated Rookies,” highlighting some true future superstars just starting their MLB careers. This crop of rookies helped propel the 1987 Donruss set to legendary status among collectors and enthusiasts.
Some key context – 1987 was right in the middle of the baseball card boom of the late 1980s. Donruss had emerged as one of the top brands alongside Topps. Their designs were starting to get a bit busy and lose some of the classic simplicity of earlier years. They made up for it by really focusing on rookie cards and new players. The “Rated Rookies” subset was Donruss’ way of drawing extra attention to the top prospects. They selected 12 rookies to include in the subset and gave each a “rating” from 50-80 based on their potential.
Some of the names in that 1987 Donruss Rated Rookies subset would go on to have incredible Hall of Fame careers: Ken Griffey Jr. (rated 80), Barry Larkin (rated 75), Mark McGwire (rated 75), and Tom Glavine (rated 70). But it wasn’t just those headliners – the entire group proved to be an extremely talented collection of future all-stars. Gregg Olson, Scott Cooper, Jeff Treadway, and Jeff Gray had solid MLB tenures. Even players like Darren Daulton and Dave Martinez who didn’t post huge numbers were effective major leaguers for many years.
For collectors and investors, these rated rookies took on immense popularity and value. Griffey and McGwire in particular seemed to be destined for stardom very early on. Their rookie cards quickly became among the most coveted and expensive in the hobby. Even secondary players like Olson and Cooper gained value as interest in the full set increased. The designs were cleanly illustrated and photo centered, letting the players’ faces and talents shine through.
In the decades since, the 1987 Donruss Rated Rookies have only grown further in esteem. Griffey and McGwire lived up to their potential by putting together two of the greatest power-hitting careers ever. Barry Larkin proved himself as perhaps the best shortstop of his generation. Glavine won over 300 games and two Cy Young awards as one of the best pitchers of the 1990s. The subset has become synonymous with identifying true superstar talent at the earliest stages.
Grading and preservation has also played a major role in the 1987 Donruss Rated Rookies increased popularity. More carefully stored and maintained copies have achieved gem mint grades like MT-10 that accentuate the brilliant colors and sharpness of the original designs. These high-grade examples have reached auction prices over $10,000 USD for the headliner rookies. Even secondary players like Cooper and Gray can sell for thousands in top condition.
While other vintage sets may have flashier artwork or more memorable designs, few can match the 1987 Donruss Rated Rookies for identifying true future baseball legends in their earliest professional seasons. The subset combines iconic players, attractive yet understated designs, and sharp focus on top prospects. Nearly 35 years later, it remains one of the most valuable and desirable rookie card releases in the entire hobby. Whether for collecting, investing or just reminiscing about the great players of that era, the 1987 Donruss Rated Rookies will always have a cherished place in the history of baseball cards.
