The 1989 Donruss baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the modern era of the hobby. While it didn’t have the star rookies or short print parallels of some other years, the ’89 Donruss set holds a special place in the hearts of many collectors due to its classic design aesthetic. Among the 762 total cards in the base set are several that have grown to become extremely valuable over the past 30+ years. Here are some of the most coveted and expensive 1989 Donruss baseball cards:
Ken Griffey Jr. – Widely considered one of the best pure ballplayers of all time, Griffey’s rookie card from the ’89 Donruss set is the undisputed crown jewel. While the standard version isn’t too difficult to acquire in high grade, graded mint copies consistently sell in the $100-500 range. Pristine flawless examples certified PSA 10 however, have climbed into the thousands. One such card fetched $10,560 in a December 2020 Goldin Auctions sale, showing no signs of slowing down as Griffey enters the Hall of Fame.
Nolan Ryan – The all-time strikeout king’s card has grown rapidly in demand and price over the past decade. Ryan’s playing career was winding down in ’89, making his Donruss issue one of the last affordable options for collectors. Mint PSA 10 copies now sell for $800-1200 depending on market conditions. Even well-centred but more played copies still command $150-300 demonstrating Ryan’s enduring popularity.
Barry Bonds – Arguably the greatest pure hitter of all-time, the young Barry Bonds rookie from ’89 Donruss has seen rising interest. Pristine PSA 10 examples consistently sell for $500-1000 at major auctions as Bonds’ career home run record is chased. Still accessible grades like PSA 8 trade around $100-200, representing solid long term investment potential despite Bond’s controversies later in his career.
Mark McGwire – Soon-to-be slugger McGwire’s rookie remains one of the most visually striking in the set due to its bold color palette and design elements. High grades between PSA 8-10 typically sell for $150-500 with the sky being the limit for true mint 10s. Like Bonds, McGwire’s is considered an affordable classic rookie from the late 80s boom.
Rickey Henderson – ‘The Man of Steal’s’ iconic photo and record-breaking speed made his ’89 issue very memorable. While not quite in Griffey or McGwire territory, a PSA 10 still sells for $300-600 long term. Most pristine 10s you’ll find are holder grades, but solid mid-range copies stick around $75-150.
Greg Maddux – The crafty righty’s dominant peak was still ahead, but savvy collectors recognized his special talent. PSA 10 Maddux rookies now bring in $300-600 depending on the day. Well-centered examples still command $100-200 demonstrating strong long term potential.
Beyond the above headliners, sharp-eyed collectors will want to seek out star rookies like Sandy Alomar Jr., Tom Glavine, and David Justice. Short prints and parallels also hold great value, especially the elusive photo variation cards only found 1 in every 13 packs. The ’89 Donruss set is a true classic of the modern era worthy of any collector’s attention. The combination of design, stars, and affordability made it a launch pad for the entire sport’s card boom later that decade. Both short and long term, it remains a sound foundation for any investment portfolio.
