The 1990 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most highly anticipated releases of the decade. Following a boom in the baseball card industry in the late 1980s, Donruss continued to be one of the sport’s leading producers of trading cards. The 1990 set showcased the biggest names in the game at the time and contained several cards that have become extremely valuable in the years since. Here’s a look at what many consider the 25 best and most desirable cards from the 1990 Donruss set:

Ken Griffey Jr. (RC) – At just 20 years old in 1990, Griffey was already showing signs of greatness. He hit .264 with 22 home runs and 61 RBI in his rookie season of 1989. This early Griffey rookie remains one of the more affordable cards from sets of the early 90s boom. PSA 10s still sell for under $200.

Barry Bonds – In his 10th season in 1990, Bonds was still in the early stages of his Hall of Fame career. He hit .301 with 33 home runs and 114 RBI, showcasing his five-tool ability. Bonds remained with the Pirates through 1990 and his cards from that era don’t carry the astronomical prices of his Giants cards from later in his career.

Roberto Alomar (RC) – An All-Star second baseman for over a decade, Alomar’s smooth fielding and hitting ability made him one of the game’s biggest stars in the 1990s. His rookie card remains a key piece for many collectors. Higher graded PSA/BGS copies have sold for $300-$500.

Roger Clemens – After winning the AL Cy Young in 1988 and 1989, Clemens established himself as the top pitcher in baseball in the early 90s. The Rocket went 21-6 with a 1.93 ERA and 21 complete games in 1990. Any Clemens cards from his Boston years carry value.

Kevin Maas – As a rookie in 1990, Maas hit .257 with 25 home runs and 75 RBI for the Yankees. His power surge made him the cover athlete for Donruss that year. His stats dropped off quickly and the card is mainly a nostalgic piece for collectors now.

Nolan Ryan – One of the true legends of the game, Ryan’s express train fastball and record-setting stats gave him plenty of cardboard representation over the years. Even at age 43 in 1990, he remained a strikeout machine for the Rangers. Any Nolan Ryan card garners attention.

Kirby Puckett – Coming off back-to-back World Series titles with the Twins, Puckett was one of baseball’s top stars in 1990 when he hit .314. “Puck” was a model of consistency throughout his career and his cards maintain value due to his status as a proven winner.

Cal Ripken Jr. – The Iron Man was just getting started on his record-setting consecutive games played streak in 1990. He won the AL MVP in 1991 and consistently delivered 20+ home runs and 100+ RBI each year. Ripken became a favorite of collectors for years.

Dennis Eckersley – After moving to the A’s in 1987, Eckersley reinvented himself as one of history’s top closers. He saved 45 games in 1990 en route to winning the AL Cy Young and MVP awards. His transition success made him a unique story on cardboard.

Mark McGwire – Despite playing for the below .500 A’s, McGwire smashed 33 home runs in 1990 to gain more mainstream attention. It was a sign of bigger power numbers still to come later in the decade. McGwire’s name value stays strong with collectors.

Ozzie Smith – A wizard with the glove at shortstop, “The Wizard” was already a 13-time Gold Glover in 1990. His slick defense made him as much of an attraction as any slugger. Smith cards from the 80s/90s Donruss sets remain extremely popular.

Wade Boggs – Mr. Red Sox had six 200-hit seasons from 1985-1990, establishing himself as the model of consistency at the plate. Boggs earned his place in the Hall based on patience and barrel control at the dish every year.

Jose Canseco – The Bash Brother led the A’s resurgence in the late 80s. In 1990, he blasted 39 homers and drove in 113 runs while also stealing 30 bases. Canseco’s power potential was thrilling for collectors before controversies arose later.

Nolan Ryan Express – This “mini” card showed Nolan mid-windup and commemorated his record-setting seventh career no-hitter on Mother’s Day 1990. Insert cards like these added to the nostalgia of the sets.

Rickey Henderson (Traded) – After moving from the A’s to the Rangers in a June 1990 trade, Henderson remained one of the game’s most dynamic players. He stole 66 bases that year at age 32. “Rickey Being Rickey” provided endless thrills.

Gregg Jefferies (RC) – As a 23-year-old rookie in 1990, Jefferies hit .329 with 17 homers and 78 RBI in a Rookie of the Year campaign. Great things seemed ahead before injuries derailed his career. His rookie pop remains strong.

Frank Thomas – “The Big Hurt” burst onto the scene in 1990 by slamming 21 homers and driving in 75 runs in just his first full season. At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds of muscle, Thomas was a mountain of prodigious strength.

Nolan Ryan (#3000 K) – This iconic parallel card from Donruss commemorated Ryan recording his 3,000th career strikeout in September 1990. It ranks among the set’s most visually striking and desirable parallels.

Cecil Fielder – After consecutive prodigious seasons with 51 and 44 home runs for the Tigers in 1990-91, “Big Daddy” Fielder became one of baseball’s biggest sluggers of the early 90s. His thicc power strokes captured attention.

Ken Griffey Jr. MVP – Having a career year in 1990 with 39 homers and 104 RBI, Griffey earned AL MVP honors at just 20 years old. He became the third youngest player ever to win the award. This insert validated Junior’s star potential.

Jose Canseco Rookie – Despite Canseco breaking in with the A’s in 1986, his true rookie season was 1987. This coveted early Canseco rookie from Donruss is an iconic piece from the late 80s boom period. PSA 10s sell for $500+.

Nolan Ryan (#5000 K) – In another milestone parallel insert, Ryan notched his 5,000th career strikeout in 1991, further cementing his all-time pitching records. The card is a historic representation of Ryan’s legend on the mound.

Alex Rodriguez (RC) – While starting his career with the Mariners, Rodriguez batted .283 with 18 homers in 1990 at age 19. This first A-Rod rookie showed all the upside collectors anticipated. High grades sell for $1,000+ still today.

Ken Griffey Jr. (Error RC) – Due to an image error showing an incorrect cap logo, a small run of Ken Griffey Jr. rookies had the Donruss logo instead of the Mariners “M”. These error cards are endlessly coveted by Griffey collectors.

Frank Thomas (#339) – Although not a parallel or insert, Thomas’ main 1990 Donruss rookie is the true crown jewel of the set. His first full season dominance made collectors aware of his immense talent early. PSA 10s are worth thousands today.

The 1990 Donruss set gave collectors their first real glimpse at future all-time greats like Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, and Alex Rodriguez. Legendary veterans like Nolan Ryan and Rickey Henderson continued giving thrill-a-minute performances as well. While the hobby boom eventually burst, names on these cards live on in Cardboard Hall of Fame calibre. The 1990 Donruss set remains a cornerstone of the industry’s growth years.