The 1987 Donruss baseball set was produced during a transitional time in the baseball card industry. While Donruss had produced sets since 1981, 1987 saw the rise of Upper Deck which would go on to dominate the hobby. As such, the 1987 Donruss set contains several valuable rookie cards and stars of the day that make it a set card collectors still pursue.
Perhaps the most notable and valuable card from the 1987 Donruss set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of if not the best player of his generation, Griffey’s rookie season was one of the most anticipated in baseball history coming into the 1987 season. His sweet lefty swing and all-world talents in center field quickly made him a fan favorite. This popularity translated to his rookie cards, with the 1987 Donruss Griffey being one of the most iconic and sought after in the hobby.
In high grade condition like a PSA 10, Griffey’s 1987 Donruss rookie card can fetch tens of thousands of dollars. But there’s high demand for it in any grade, with even well-worn copies trading hands for hundreds due to Griffey’s status among collectors and fans. The card captures “The Kid” in an action shot during his debut 1987 season with the Seattle Mariners uniform before they switched to their trident logo designs. It remains among the most valuable baseball cards ever produced.
Another star rookie card to come from the 1987 Donruss set is that of Mark McGwire. Like Griffey, McGwire was anticipated to be a future superstar and did not disappoint in his first season with the Athletics. Though overshadowed throughout his career by Griffey and later Barry Bonds, McGwire still went on to have one of the best power hitting careers ever. Collectors recognized his potential from the start and his Donruss rookie card followed Griffey’s in value through the late 80s and 90s boom.
Today graded examples can bring thousands as McGwire’s name remains well known for his offensive prowess even if tainted by steroid links later on. The card features “Big Mac” in an Athletics uniform during his hyped rookie campaign. It’s a classic piece of cardboard to have for any collection focusing on stars and highly valuable cards from the late 80s period.
Continuing with sluggers who debuted in 1987, the Donruss set also delivered the starting point for collectors with the Frank Thomas rookie card. “The Big Hurt” emerged from a decorated college career to immediately tear up major league pitching for the Chicago White Sox. He finished second in rookie of the year voting that season while showcasing his impressive home run power.
This power potential converted into future success which made Thomas a highly demanded player card early on. Though not at Griffey or McGwire levels, graded PSA 10 copies of his 1987 Donruss rookie have still sold in the four figure range showing strong collector interest. Plus there’s the added rarity factor since Donruss only produced one rookie card for Thomas compared to other sets with multiple variations. It’s among the key pieces for constructing a full White Sox or power hitting collection.
Not every big name rookie panned out after their ’87 Donruss debut, but the cards still hold value based on expectations. Steve Avery was hailed as one of baseball’s next aces coming out of Georgia, as evidenced by his action shot rookie in a Braves uniform. Though injuries derailed his career, graded versions still bring over $100 in auctions. Same goes for Bobby Witt’s first card as doubts about his power started to creep in. The aggressive follow through pose with the Rangers captures his top prospect status at the time.
The 1987 Donruss set greatly benefited from capturing stars very early in the primes as well. One example is the Kirby Puckett card that shows him launching a pitch into right field in Twins light blue. Puckett emerged as one of the decade’s top all-around players and this card was a hot commodity while he was in his hitting and baseball prowess heyday. PSA 10 editions remain around the $1,000 range given Puckett’s enduring popularity in Minnesota.
Another star who was just getting warmed up was the Yankees’ Don Mattingly. After coming off the 1985 AL MVP season, Mattingly’s 1987 Donruss card depicts him fielding at first base which underscored his excellent glovework. Though injuries hamstrung his career peak, Mattingly is still revered by Yankees fans for his hustling style which this card exuberates. High grade versions can fetch upwards of $500 with motivated collectors.
The coveted 1987 set also captured young talent on the rise like Will Clark of the Giants and Wally Joyner for the Angels. Clark’s dynamic pose is one of the most visually appealing from the checklist as he swings for the fences. It captured the anticipation of him building off a strong ’86 year. Joyner’s Angels rookie provides fans of that era squad a key piece of memorabilia from their World Series runs. Together they highlight stars that were leading their franchises.
While stars and rookies were a major part of the set’s appeal, the 1987 Donruss checklist still featured numerous other talents who had achieved success already as well. Hall of Famer Robin Yount’s card with the Brewers established him as one of the game’s best all-around players in the late 80s. Ozzie Smith’s Cardinals issue with him backhanding a grounder emphasized why he was the best fielding shortstop in MLB.
Even role players received due representation to satisfy team collectors. Pinch hitter extraordinaire Mario Diaz landed his lone rookie card and action shot with the Blue Jays. Chris Brown’s unconventional batting pose highlighted his skills for the Red Sox. They add colorful variety to any collection focused on teams from that era.
In summation, the 1987 Donruss baseball set carries immense nostalgia and value for hobbyists and investors alike because it captured so many future Hall of Famers and stars during formative seasons. From Griffey and McGwire’s iconic rookies to stars in their primes like Puckett, Yount and Smith, it has long been a sought after release. High grade examples of stars like Thomas and Mattingly as well as players on the rise boost values further. When combined with eye catching designs that still hold up over 30 years later, it’s clear why 1987 Donruss remains a set that created evergreen collectibles.
