Doing some Donruss

Not long ago, I saw another blog list out by each different card maker their wantlists. I cleaned up the old checklists and everything in order again. Donruss was kind enough to make 504 base cards for the Mariners, and I currently own ALL 504 OF THEM!!!

Updated 6/7/13
Current 504/504(100%)


THIS RUN IS DONE!! ALL DONRUSS ARE ON BOARD!

Donruss Dandies 1996-2005

Here is the last of the Donruss beauty. They really did improve their look towards the end. It was strange to have a two year gap with no cards from them in 1999 and 2000 due to bankruptcy. Let's look and see what we have...

If anyone has this card, I'm open to a trade.

1996 Alex Diaz

I like the way Donruss was able to catch the ball coming off the bat to make it on the card.

If anyone has this card, I'm open to a trade.

1997 Alex Rodriguez

Alex looks back to the umpire as if to say "Did I get him? Is he Out?"

If anyone has this card, I'm open to a trade.

1998 Edgar Martinez

Stretching is good for the legs, and it keeps you healthy. Look at what it has done for me...

If anyone has this card, I'm open to a trade.

2001 Ichiro Suzuki

They call him a rated rookie. I think after seven batting titles in Japan, It safe to say he will better than a rated rookie.

If anyone has this card, I'm open to a trade.

2002 Allan Simpson

Then again not all rated rookies work out so well. Allan didn't get too much time in the majors.

If anyone has this card, I'm open to a trade.

2003 Bret Boone

As it has been said on South Park, "Drugs are bad, mmok?"

If anyone has this card, I'm open to a trade.

2004 Ryan Franklin

Hard to believe, the guy that had a little goatee and couldn't get guys out, has become this.

If anyone has this card, I'm open to a trade.

2005 Travis Blackley

Another rated rookie that has had major shoulder and arm problems. He is now pitching back home in the Australian Baseball league.

There is all the run of Donruss cards that could make my grade. Next up with be another manufacturer. They start off bad, and slowly work their way to some good looking cards.

Donruss Dandies 1991-1995

Here we go for another round of the finest junk wax from Donruss. The quality of their look is starting to improve, and isn't half bad at the end of their run of making baseball cards.

1991 Matt Young

I guess the cameraman couldn't move over a little to eliminate the blatant Budweiser sign in the background? I believe this is the old Memorial Stadium in Baltimore?

1992 Jeff Nelson

I understand that Jeff is a rookie and all, but did you have to put Jay Buhner's jersey on him?

1993 Pete O' Brien

It's a sight we don't see anymore, but still is cool. A guy with a batting helmet with no ear flaps.

If anyone owns this, I'm open to a trade.

1994 Tino Martinez

It looks like Tino must have gotten under this one some. It looks like a towering pop-up that won't leave the infield.

If anyone owns this one, I'm open to a trade.

1995 Darren Bragg

I miss guys like him. He wasn't the most gifted player, but he would give all he had and showed a lot of hustle.

There is the best of Donruss in the early stages of card overproduction. I believe the next set we look at will start to see a better look to them.

Donruss Dandies 1986-1990

Here we are for another round of Donruss cards. I still don't think they have gotten much better after five years, but we will see if we can improve in the second five years.

If anyone has this card, I am open to a trade.
1986 Gorman Thomas
What an absolute Bad Ass look on this guy. He scares his own mom...

1987 Dave Valle
This card means alot to me because I can tell it was taken at Angel Stadium in Palm Springs, CA. My home town.

1988 Ed Nunez
I'm sorry Ed, is there a hot chick over there? Why won't you look at the camera?

1989 Mike Moore
I thought pitchers were supposed to hide their pitches. Four seam Fastball coming up...

1990 Jerry Reed
If I stick my tongue out at the hitter, I can scare him into swinging and missing...

There you have another round of the best that Donruss had to offer. Not the greatest, but not the worst either. Let's hope that as we enter the height of the junk wax era, the quality will improve.

Donruss Dandies 1981-1985

Now that we have gotten through my favorites from the Topps brand of cards for each year, I thought let's try the other card makers. Why not start in alphabetical order, which means we start with Donruss. As we all know, Donruss's first set was in 1981 and it was riddled with errors and bad photography. Where what I could pull out of the first years that I thought were best.

1981 Joe Simpson

I guess the photographers couldn't find anything better to do with a rain delay in Chicago, so let's do next year's cards. It is cool to see the old Comiskey scoreboard in the background, and the tarp in the field.

If anyone has this card I need one. Trades welcome

1982 Tommy Davis

It was not common at all to give individual coaches their own cards, but Donruss decided to be different. From the look on Tommy's face I would do whatever he says. That's one scary face.

1983 Gene Nelson

I'm not sure where they did the round of photos for this set, but half look like they are in an empty stadium. A few fans makes it more believable.

If anyone has this card I need one. Trades welcome

1984 Ricky Nelson

I love the look of this card. Look at that nice bunt technique. The bunt is a lost art in my opinion. I know everyone loves the long ball, but moving runners over is part of the game.

1985 Bob Kearney

I know it is stereotypical, but tell me those glasses don't just scream 80's.  I like they way they fit under that batting helmet.

There you go folks, the first five years of Donruss memories. I know that some of their cards would get better years later, but the first were the worst. If anyone has a bunch of extra Donruss from those beginning years, please look at the Super Set wantlist and help a lonely Mariner fan out.