The year 1985 was a pretty solid year. My 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Parker, might disagree but it was a ton of fun and there were some pretty historical events shaping the landscape at that time. Here’s a small sample of the action from that year:
• Nintendo released the NES in October of that year and the video gaming industry would never be the same.
• Michael Jordan was named the NBA’s rookie of the year.
• Windows 1.0 was released, changing the way we would use computers for decades to come.
• Tech wizards created these shiny objects called “compact discs”.
• The song, “We Are the World” was recorded. Who doesn’t remember that classic?
• Sly Stallone was a busy actor making Rocky IV and Rambo II.
• Coca-Cola introduced New Coke – ok, that’s not necessarily an endorsement of 1985.
• Back to The Future was released in theaters.
I enjoy going back to the past as opposed to back to the future but that was a classic movie that is still a must watch when it’s on the tube. Parts 1 and 2 were great films but the rest kind of lost me. In fact, I like to think that the Sports Almanac in Part 2 had a section about cards in it that had a list of the hottest cards from the past. I’m sure 1989 Upper Deck and 1990 Leaf were on the buy list while 1990 Donruss and 1991 Fleer were on the avoid list, but I digress. In this post, we are going to go back to that great year and take a look at a baseball product that is very good in my opinion but is underrated because of the existence of 1985 Topps and the presence therein of the Mark McGwire rookie card. Donruss also hit a home run in 1986 with Fred McGriff and Jose Canseco getting Rated Rookie status. Because of these circumstances, 1985 Donruss is sometimes overlooked.
I am here to try and set the record straight and bring back some good memories of this set. When you take a closer peek at the set, some good things stand out to you. First, the rookie class is very solid with the inclusion of Eric Davis, Shawon Dunston, Sid Bream (Braves Fans), Terry Pendleton, Dan Gladden, Orel Hershiser, Kirby Puckett and Roger Clemens. Granted, some of these weren’t true rookies but they were 1st issue Donruss cards and remain in the top 5 most sought after (base set) cards of these players. Diamond Kings continued to be a hot card subset in ’85 with great artistry from Dick Perez. The design itself was pretty good with a nice black border and great subject coverage.
It’s not all roses and candy for the set though. The Rated Rookie class was slim with only Dunston and Danny Tartabull having solid careers. The aforementioned nice looking black border is not so nice 32 years later. There isn’t an issue with cards sticking together and there are no gum stains but there are typical nicks on an old card with such a bold border. Even with these specific issues, 1985 as a whole included a great list of superstars like Tony Gwynn, George Brett, Dave Winfield, Ozzie Smith, Dale Murphy, Nolan Ryan, Ryne Sandberg and many, many more.
The complete set was 653 player cards and 7 checklist cards. The first 26 cards in the set were Diamond Kings and they included names like Ryno, Mattingly, Ripken Jr and Gwynn. Cards 27-45 were the Rated Rookies for the year. Then the base set ran from 46-653. The seven checklists included one for Diamond Kings and then 6 for the base set. The puzzle subject chosen for 1985 was Lou Gehrig. I’m enjoying putting these puzzles together more than I thought as I am rummaging through these old boxes. Finally, the box itself comes with 36 packs with 15 cards each, plus one puzzle piece. There is a box bottom as well but it is one static bottom and did not come in any other variations. The bottom has Dwight Gooden, Ryne Sandberg, Ron Kittle and the Gehrig puzzle. I wonder what contest Kittle won to earn box bottom status with Gooden and Sandberg?
So, did I pull any of those great rookies? Let’s take a look!
Diamond Kings
These were the two best Diamond Kings I pulled from the set. I also pulled Frank Viola, Tony Pena and Dan Q but these two were the standouts. I actually pulled 3 of the Ripkens.
The Rookies
Solid box with Gooden, Davis and Hershiser but I missed out on Clemens and Puckett. I really wanted the Puckett so I could send it to one of my Twins pals but no such luck. Sid Bream is an Atlanta Braves legend and I pulled 2 of his RC’s so pleased with that. I really like the Tartabull in the old M’s jersey. And I only included Bielecki to show off that Bucs jersey!
The Stars
Look at these stars! The only one I really whiffed on that I wanted was Murph. I was hoping for a nice Powder Blue Superstar. But Straw, Rip, Gwynn, Donnie Baseball and The Hawk? That’s a loaded group. Anytime you can get your hands on younger cards of these guys, it makes ripping fun!
The Legends
These guys were on the back end of their careers for the most part but had stellar careers! A set that includes the superstars from earlier plus Reggie, Carew, Schmidt and Charlie Hustle? I’ll take that all day. And I was really surprised by the Oakland Joe Morgan. Didn’t expect to see that one!
The Insert
This was the oddball card in the set. “Two For The Title” with Winfield and Mattingly. I’m not sure why there weren’t more of these included but this was a cool change up in the set.
The All Name Team
If the Superstars and Legends didn’t sell you, take a look at these studs! Rusty Kuntz, Razor Shines, John Wockenfuss and Kurt Bevacqua! These are pure golden cardboard! I’m a huge King of The Hill fan and I love the episode where Bevacqua plays for Thatherton’s softball team. Peggy Hill vs Kurt Bevacqua was legendary!
Greatest Photo
There we’re actually several contenders for this honor but nothing can beat Rollie and the Stache. Not even Kent Tekulve in the Pirates Pill Box hat!
This was a very fun box to rip for me. I remember all of these players whether in their prime, just getting started or on their way out. These are big names in the history of baseball and to have a chance to pull originals of these guys is very exciting. The box itself is much cheaper than the Topps version and is a great second option for the collector on a budget. The checklist is strong, the design is good and the set is not too difficult to build. Another box should finish out what I’ve started with a couple of singles to boot. I’ll give 85 Donruss a 4 on the Dub-O-Meter based on the fun it holds within it’s wax packs. Speaking of, I was careful enough with the ripping to salvage over half the packs for my buddy @oriolesrise! If you have the time and the money, give 85 Donruss a shot!
J-Dub
Scoring Scale
1. Let me be the sacrificial lamb so you don’t have to buy these cards. Just read the post and thank me later.
2. There is worse but there is much better – not worth the effort though.
3. Middle of the road – I wouldn’t talk you into buying these but I certainly wouldn’t talk you out of them.
4. You should probably go out and buy a box and enjoy the rip – I did! It has some downside but worth the ride.
5. Stop reading and find a box to buy and get to Breaking! What are you waiting on?
Cool, this was a fun read. I really like all 3 sets in 1985. I was 10 years old when this set relesed. I can’t believe these are 32 years old now! As a Cardinals fan, I want to say this was the only set with Ralph Citarella. And of course it should be noted that your Seaver card is a picture of Floyd Bannister!
Yes, I had no idea until somebody pointed out that it was an error. Then I noticed he was pitching left handed. Totally got by me. Thanks for checking it out!
Love the post Joey!! I didn’t have any Donruss in the Cumberland Farms convenience stores around me, so never had much of this set. Funny, I picked up a handful of stars this weekend in a nickel box. One card I grabbed was Pete Rose as an Expo–you have his Reds card above. While the photography is decent, it’s not as good as their ’84 set. I’d say about you’re right with the Dub-4 score–I know itd be fun to rip a couple of packs!
Thanks Shane! There were some cards I didn’t realize were in the set like the Morgan A’s card. I enjoyed going through the set. Still missing some good ones so another box is on the horizon.
Great set. They definitely had the best product in ’85.
I was 4 when this set came out, but remember buying packs a few years later. Those Kings cards were always a treat to pull, and I have contemplated getting the set signed as a project. My brother laughed his rear off reading the name “Rusty Kuntz”, that is etched in my mind. Great piece and love the breakdown.
On a side note, the pic you have from Back to the Future, is from Back to the Future 2. When he gets the sports almanac and alters the distant future, ie Biff becoming rich.
Thanks for checking it out! Yeah, I chose that pic because of my twist on the almanac in the following paragraph. I like to think that the publication covered sports cards too!
I went into the US Navy of March 25, 1985…the whole year was pretty much without a young baseball or baseball cards. I need to find a set of 1985 Detroit Tigers cards for sure. Great post!
Thanks John – I’m going to look and see what Tigers I pulled!