I’m not sure there is another release that receives the same type of attention as Donruss. It’s not always positive, mostly due to the licensing with Major League Baseball. Topps has recently extended their exclusive license agreement which allows them to be the only baseball card company licensed by Major League Baseball. This limits what other companies are able to do.
Donruss still puts out a few baseball releases featuring current and former players, but due to this license, are unable to show team names or logos. That’s a shame because it really limits the appeal for some collectors. A lot of people are missing out on what has become a fun release every year. The base design is one of my favorites in recent years, and the tributes to 1985 Donruss really stand out.
The release follows the same basic format of the last few years. The first 30 cards are Diamond Kinds, followed by 20 Rated Rookies. Then, we see the normal base design, before the final 50 cards are modeled after the 1985 Donruss release. It does a good job to combine the history with the modern. We also see a number of insert sets that Donruss has been known for over the years.
A box advertises 24 packs with 8 cards per pack. This includes 3 autographs of memorabilia cards per box, on average. That’s an interesting disclaimer. Sometimes boxes may contain more or less. I don’t know if I just have great luck, but I don’t remember ever having a box with fewer hits.
This box contained:
16 Base Diamond Kings (of 30)
15 Base Rated Rookies (of 20)
24 Base Retro 1985 (of 50)
92 Base (Overall Total 147/250 – 58.8%)
26 Base Variation Short Prints
4 Base Independence Day Parallels
2 Base Career Stats Parallels
1 Base Father’s Day Ribbon Parallel
1 Base 150th Anniversary Parallel
1 Base Season Stats Parallel
1 Base 42 Tribute Parallel
1 American Pride
1 American Pride Green Parallel
1 Dominators
1 Franchise Features Bronze Parallel
1 Highlights Blue Parallel
2 Majestic Materials
1 Rated Prospect Materials Estanli Castillo
1 Signature Series Brandon Lowe