If you grew up in the late eighties, you remember the smell of cheap bubble gum and the crinkle of wax packs. You probably also remember the chase for "The Kid." While everyone and their brother was losing their mind over the Upper Deck #1, the ken griffey jr rookie card donruss was the blue-collar alternative that actually looked like a baseball card.
It wasn’t trying to be a premium product with a hologram. It was just cardboard. But honestly, it’s one of the most interesting pieces of "junk wax" history because it’s a total mess of printing errors, color shifts, and a weirdly low survival rate for high grades.
People call this era "junk," but tell that to the guy who just dropped several hundred bucks on a PSA 10.
The Rated Rookie That Actually Matters
The 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. #33 is iconic for that little "Rated Rookie" logo in the corner. Donruss had a knack for picking the right guys for that branding, and Griffey was the crown jewel.
Unlike the Upper Deck version—which was basically a studio portrait—the Donruss card shows Junior in his Mariners warm-ups, bat over his shoulder, looking like he’s about to go out and save baseball. The photo quality is... well, it’s 1989 Donruss. It’s a bit grainy. The lighting is a little flat. But it captures a moment in time before the hype machine went into overdrive.
Why PSA 10s are so hard to find
You’d think with millions of these things printed, finding a perfect one would be easy. Nope.
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Donruss had terrible quality control in '89. Most of these cards came out of the pack with "snow" (tiny white print dots) or centering that looks like the cutting machine was operated by someone with a blindfold on. The black borders on the sides are unforgiving. One tiny touch and you’ve got white chipping that kills the grade.
Currently, the Gem Rate for this card is surprisingly low. Out of nearly 50,000 copies sent to PSA, only about 4% have come back as a 10. That's why a PSA 10 can still command $600 or more, while a PSA 9 might only set you back $40. It’s the ultimate "condition rarity" card.
The "Error" Myth: Don’t Get Scammed
If you spend five minutes on eBay, you’ll see listings for "ULTRA RARE ERROR" Donruss Griffeys priced at $10,000. Usually, they point to a missing period after "Inc" on the back or a "wrong" birth city.
Let’s be real: most of these aren’t errors. They’re variations or just lazy printing.
- The "Inc." Period: On the back of the card, some versions have a dot after "Inc." and some don't. This wasn't a mistake—it was a way for Donruss to track which printing facility the card came from. About half the cards have it. It’s not rare.
- The Birthplace: Most of these cards say Griffey was born in Charleroi, PA. He was actually born in Donora (the same town as Stan Musial, weirdly enough). Donruss eventually fixed this in some later sets, but for the main #33 card, the "incorrect" city is the standard.
- Print Defects: You’ll see people claiming a "pink dot on the sleeve" is an error. It’s just dust on the printing plate. It actually lowers the value because it’s a defect, not a sought-after rarity like the Billy Ripken "FF" card.
If someone is trying to sell you a "no-period" variation for the price of a used car, walk away. You're being hustled.
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Comparing the "Other" Donruss Rookie
A lot of collectors forget that there’s a second ken griffey jr rookie card donruss from the same year. It’s the #3 card from the "The Rookies" set. This was a 56-card boxed set released later in '89.
The "The Rookies" version has a green border instead of the blue/black. It’s actually a much cleaner looking card. Because it was sold as a complete set, the centering is usually better, but because it didn’t come in packs, it doesn’t have that same "chase" nostalgia.
Then there's "Baseball's Best" #192. This one has a bright orange border. It’s hideous. It’s wonderful. It’s very 1989. PSA 10s of the Baseball's Best version can actually get pricey—sometimes hitting $900—because those orange borders show every single microscopic flake of wear.
Market Reality in 2026
Where does the card stand now? We aren't in the 2020-2021 boom anymore, but Griffey is "sticky." His value doesn't crater like modern players who have one bad season and disappear.
| Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Raw (Near Mint) | $5 - $10 |
| PSA 8 | $15 - $20 |
| PSA 9 | $35 - $50 |
| PSA 10 | $550 - $650 |
Prices fluctuate, obviously. If Griffey does a big public appearance or a new documentary drops, expect a 10% bump. But generally, this card is the "entry drug" for Griffey collectors. It's affordable enough that anyone can own a piece of history, but rare enough in top-tier condition to keep the "big fish" investors interested.
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How to Spot a Fake (Yes, They Exist)
You wouldn’t think people would counterfeit a card that was printed by the millions, but they do. Usually, they’re trying to fake a high-grade version to slip into a counterfeit slab.
- The "Rated Rookie" Logo: On a real Donruss, the logo should be sharp. If the blue and yellow bleed into each other or the lines look "fuzzy" under a loupe, be suspicious.
- Card Stock: 1989 Donruss was printed on somewhat flimsy, brownish-gray card stock. If the card feels too white or too stiff, it’s probably a modern reprint.
- The Pattern: Look at the blue/purple gradient. On originals, you can see the "halftone" dots from the printing press. Modern digital reprints often look too smooth or "pixelated" rather than having that distinct dot pattern.
Why We Still Love It
There’s something humble about the Donruss Griffey. It reminds us of a time when you could walk into a 7-Eleven with a dollar and come out with a chance at the greatest player of a generation.
It’s not the most valuable card. It’s definitely not the prettiest. But the ken griffey jr rookie card donruss is the definitive "people’s card" of the junk wax era. It’s got character, it’s got quirks, and it represents the exact moment baseball became cool again.
If you’re looking to buy one, don’t obsess over the "errors." Focus on the centering and those black side borders. If you find one with four sharp corners and no chipping, hold onto it. They don't make them like that anymore—mostly because the machines in 1989 weren't designed to.
Your Next Steps for Collecting
If you want to add this to your collection without getting burned, start by looking for "Base" #33 copies that are already graded by PSA, SGC, or Beckett. Buying raw copies online is a gamble because sellers often hide edge wear against dark backgrounds. If you’re hunting for a PSA 10, check the "Auction Prices Realized" on the PSA website first to make sure you aren't overpaying for a temporary market spike. Stick to the reputable sellers and avoid any listing that uses the word "invest" or "investigation" in the title—usually a sign of an overhyped price tag.