The 1990 Donruss baseball card set was truly a landmark year for the hobby. Produced during baseball’s steroid era, the set featured some true superstar players who were putting up jaw-dropping stats. The artwork and design on the 1990 Donruss cards also stood out among other brands. While they lacked statistics on the back of the cards, the vivid photographs on the front captured the essences of these prolific sluggers. Let’s take a look at the 10 most valuable and sought after 1990 Donruss baseball cards:

Nolan Ryan (#50) – As one of the greatest pitchers of all time, any Nolan Ryan card holds value. His 1990 Donruss card captured him during his later years with the Texas Rangers. By 1990, Ryan was still averaging over 100 MPH on his fastball at age 43. He went 14-5 with a 3.21 ERA and 232 strikeouts that season. While not his most valuable card, Ryan’s 1990 Donruss shows him still dominating well into his 40s. PSA 10 Gem Mint copies regularly sell for $30-40.

Cecil Fielder (#206) – Cecil Fielder had a monster season in 1990, smashing 51 home runs to lead the American League. His powerful swing is immortalized on this card. Fielder’s breakout season helped ignite baseball’s power surge in the early 90s. With his thick neck and muscular frame, Fielder definitely looked the part of a home run king. High grade PSA 10 copies of his rookie card have sold for up to $50 in recent years, cementing its place as a top 1990 Donruss card.

Frank Thomas (#305) – While only a rookie in 1990, “The Big Hurt” Frank Thomas announced his arrival with a powerful .317 batting average, 21 home runs and 72 RBI. His intimidating 6’5, 240 lbs frame made him look like the ideal hitter for the steroid era. Thomas combined awesome raw power with superb hitting skills and vision. His rookie card from 1990 Donruss is one of the more sought after from the set. Near mint copies in PSA 8-9 grade have sold for $75-100.

Ken Griffey Jr. (#366) – The kid with a million dollar smile, Ken Griffey Jr. was already one of baseball’s brightest young stars in 1990. His smooth left-handed swing made hitting look effortless. This card from his third big league season shows him gliding around the outfield with ease. Griffey’s 1990 Donruss rookie is one of the most iconic cards from the entire brand. High grades in PSA 8-10 can demand $150-300 due to Griffey’s enduring popularity.

Mark McGwire (#402) – Big Mac was in the midst of a power surge in 1990, smashing 32 home runs. At 6’5, 240 lbs of muscle, he cut an absolutely freakish figure in the batter’s box. McGwire’s intimidating stature and raw power made him a fan favorite. His 1990 Donruss card perfectly captures just how massive he looked in his prime. Near mint PSA 8 copies have reached $250 due to McGwire’s later admission of steroid use and record breaking home run chase with Sosa.

Barry Bonds (#90) – Already one of the game’s best players in 1990 with 33 home runs and 103 RBI, Barry Bonds was on the cusp of completely redefining what was possible on the baseball field. At only 25 years old, Bonds had five MVP awards in his future. His rare blend of power, speed, and eye definitely stood out on this card. Near mint PSA 8 copies have sold for $350 or more recently among collectors.

Cal Ripken Jr. (#219) – “Iron Man” Cal Ripken Jr. was in the midst of his record breaking consecutive games played streak in 1990. His signature thick forearms and rugged physique made him the quintessential shortstop. Ripken combined durability with a smooth swing that resulted in 28 home runs and 114 RBI in 1990. His iconic card from that season conveys just how tough and dependable Ripkin was. PSA 10 “Gem Mint” copies have reached $500.

Roger Clemens (#239) – The Rocket was having another typically dominant season in 1990, going 21-6 with an ERA under 2.00 and 211 strikeouts as the ace of the Red Sox staff. His intimidating stare on the card perfectly captures just how fearsome Clemens was on the mound. Despite some character issues later in his career, Clemens’ 1990 Donruss card remains highly sought after. Clean PSA 10 copies have sold for well over $1,000.

Nolan Ryan (#99) – This dual photo card shows the one-of-a-kind motion of Ryan’s 100 MPH fastball from two different angles. At age 43, Ryan was still blowing away hitters on sheer velocity alone. The card offers a rare glimpse of just how overwhelming his heat was. As one of the set’s prize chases for collectors, PSA 10 examples of this Ryan card have sold for up to $2,500.

Griffey Jr. Auto (#366) – Out of the millions of 1990 Donruss cards produced, only a select few contained autographed rookie cards of Ken Griffey Jr. These scarce autographed versions are the true crown jewels of the set. Griffey’s fluid swings and million dollar smile made him the perfect cover boy for the launch of the hobby into the 90s. His autographed rookie consistently ranks as one of the most expensive modern era cards. Clean PSA/DNA authenticated examples in PSA 8-10 grade have reached upwards of $10,000 due to extreme scarcity.

The 1990 Donruss baseball set provided a perfect snapshot of the ascendant superstars who were redefining the game during baseball’s powerful new era. Power hitters like McGwire, Bonds, Fielder and Thomas lined the cards, while future Hall of Famers like Griffey Jr., Ripken, and Clemens announced their greatness. For collectors, high grade examples from this vintage 90s set remain highly sought after prizes decades later. Values have only grown due to the iconic players featured and pivotal time in MLB history captured.