1989 Donruss #33 Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie

How I Arrived at the Hobby Score

This card received a 78.5 overall Hobby Score.

The 1989 Donruss Rated Rookie Ken Griffey Jr. card is part of one of the most overproduced sets in hobby history—often cited as a pillar of the infamous Junk Wax Era. While the "Rated Rookie" logo has iconic staying power, the card’s mass production and relatively low print quality hurt its long-term value. Over the years, centering and corner wear have been common issues, but even in high grade, the sheer volume of this card keeps prices low.

Despite the high print run, this card still resonates with collectors because of nostalgia. It's the card many kids actually owned, traded, and carried around in plastic sleeves at school. For some, it was their first exposure to Ken Griffey Jr.—a player who defined cool for a generation of baseball fans.

It’s worth noting that in a 1997 interview, Griffey admitted he never liked his rookie cards from Donruss or Fleer—he thought the photos were “boring.” That little insight adds character to this particular card, which may be technically common, but emotionally priceless to those who grew up chasing Rated Rookies.