The 1987 Donruss baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable releases from the late 1980s. Featuring stars like Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and more, there are several standout rookie and star player cards that have increased substantially in value over the past few decades. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top Donruss ’87 cards that collectors seek out.
Perhaps the most coveted card from the 1987 Donruss set is the Roger Clemens rookie card. As one of the greatest pitchers of all time, Clemens’ rookie is tremendously valuable in high grades. In mint condition, a PSA 10 graded Clemens rookie has sold for over $100,000. Even in raw near-mint to mint condition, examples still fetch thousands. This is due to Clemens’ amazing 24-year career that saw him win 7 Cy Young Awards and strike out over 4,000 batters. His rookie card captures “The Rocket” at the very beginning of his Hall of Fame journey.
Another notoriously valuable card is the Eric Davis rookie. Like Clemens, Davis showed enormous promise and talent early in his career. During his rookie season of 1987, Davis blasted 37 home runs and drove in 100 while batting .293 for the Cincinnati Reds. Unfortunately, injuries slowed his progression, but his rookie card remains a highly coveted piece for Reds and ’80s collectors. In PSA 10 condition, Davis rookies have sold for well over $10,000. Even lower graded copies in the PSA 8-9 range sell for thousands.
Wade Boggs is regarded as one of the greatest hitters of all time, and his1987 Donruss card is a key piece for any collection focused on this era. Boggs won 5 batting titles in the 1980s while playing for the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. His impeccable batting stance and selective approach at the plate made him a nightmare for opposing pitchers. High grade Boggs rookies in PSA 10 can achieve five-figure prices. Even well-centered, but lower graded copies still hold substantial value grading between $500-$1500 depending on condition.
Ozzie Smith is nicknamed “The Wizard” for his otherworldly defense at shortstop throughout the 1980s and early 90s primarily with the St. Louis Cardinals. Widely considered the greatest defensive infielder ever, Smith won 13 consecutive Gold Gloves from 1980-1992. His 1987 Donruss rookie captures him at the beginning of his illustrious 15-year career. High grade Ozzie Smith rookies remain quite scarce, with PSA 10 examples selling over $10,000. Even raw or lower graded copies still demand at least $300-500 based on condition. Part of what makes Smith’s card so popular is his instantly recognizable defensive posture on the front of the card.
Another star-studded rookie from the 1987 Donruss set is Mark McGwire, who went on to smash the single-season home run record just over a decade later. McGwire clubbed 49 homers in his rookie campaign for the Athletics. His Donruss rookie is much tougher to find in pristine condition compared to his more widely produced Topps rookie from the same year. PSA 10 McGwire Donruss rookies have achieved bids upwards of $6,000 given their rarity and his iconic power hitting career. Well-centered copies in lower grades still attract bids between $200-$500 depending on centering quality.
In addition to star rookies, the 1987 Donruss set also features valuable veteran cards of established Hall of Famers like Cal Ripken Jr. and Nolan Ryan. Ripken captured the hearts of baseball fans throughout the 1990s and is best known for his then-record breaking 2,632 consecutive game streak. His slick defensive plays and prodigious durability made him a fixture in the Orioles lineup. High grade Ripken veterans from 1987 typically sell between $75-150 raw or graded.
Nolan Ryan holds the all-time record for strikeouts and threw the first ever no-hitter. The “Ryan Express” was still dominating hitters in the late 1980s as a member of the Houston Astros. His cutting fastball and intimidating presence on the mound are encapsulated in his 1987 Donruss card. Mint condition Ryan veterans can exceed $200 raw, while prospects tightening up to PSA 10 grade bringing closer to $500 given his hurler’s rarity.
While produced during the junk wax era, the 1987 Donruss set remains a foundational release due to the star players featured throughout, including notable rookies like Clemens, Davis, Smith, and McGwire. Key veteran cards like Ripken, Boggs, and Ryan also hold substantial collector demand and value. For set builders and investors, high grade examples of the above highlighted rookie and star cards represent some of the finest long-term holdings from the 1987 season. Graded rookie prospects especially retain tremendous potential for future appreciation.
