– Roberto Clemente

The 1987 Donruss Hall of Fame Diamond King Puzzle featuring Roberto Clemente is one of the most memorable inserts of the junk wax era. While Topps included a stick of gum in every pack, Donruss continued its unique tradition of including puzzle pieces, giving collectors something extra to chase beyond the baseball cards themselves.

Each wax pack contained one puzzle card with three interlocking pieces. Collectors needed all 63 pieces to complete the full-color portrait of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, making it both a collectible and a fun challenge. Factory sets included the complete puzzle, allowing collectors to enjoy the finished artwork immediately.

The artwork was created in the distinctive Diamond King style by the renowned Perez-Steele Galleries, whose paintings became one of Donruss’ signature features throughout the 1980s. Rather than simply reproducing a photograph, the illustration captures Clemente with a classic, timeless feel that reflects both his greatness on the field and his enduring legacy off it.

Roberto Clemente was a fitting choice for the 1987 puzzle. A 15-time All-Star, 12-time Gold Glove winner, four-time National League batting champion, 1966 National League MVP, and two-time World Series champion, Clemente remains one of baseball’s most respected figures. His tragic death in 1972 while delivering earthquake relief supplies to Nicaragua cemented his reputation as both an extraordinary player and humanitarian.

Today, the Clemente puzzle remains a nostalgic favorite among collectors. While individual puzzle pieces are common, completing an entire 63-piece puzzle often requires patience, making finished examples especially satisfying to display. For many collectors who grew up opening 1987 Donruss packs, seeing the Clemente puzzle instantly brings back memories of sorting pieces on the floor, trading duplicates with friends, and hoping the next pack would finally contain the missing piece.

More than just a pack insert, the 1987 Roberto Clemente Hall of Fame Diamond King Puzzle represents a time when collecting was about the experience as much as the cards themselves. It remains one of the defining non-card collectibles of the 1987 Donruss release and a lasting tribute to one of baseball’s greatest ambassadors.

The 1987 Donruss Diamond Kings subset continued one of the hobby’s most beloved traditions. Featuring the stunning artwork of renowned sports artist Dick Perez, the 26-card set highlighted one standout player from each Major League team with beautifully painted portraits rather than traditional photographs.

Unlike the earlier Diamond Kings sets, 1987 marked the beginning of repeated player selections for some teams. Donruss and Perez-Steele realized that continually finding a new “Diamond King” every year would eventually become impossible, so established stars began receiving repeat appearances. While this changed the original concept, collectors still embraced the series because it showcased many of baseball’s biggest names.

The 1987 checklist includes stars such as Roger Clemens, Jose Canseco, George Brett, Kirby Puckett, Ozzie Smith, Darryl Strawberry, Dave Winfield, and Steve Sax, making it one of the strongest Diamond Kings lineups of the 1980s. The cards also feature the distinctive black-and-gold Donruss design, giving them a bold look that perfectly complements Perez’s colorful artwork.

Although they were produced during the height of the junk wax era and are generally affordable today, the 1987 Diamond Kings remain popular with collectors for their artistic appeal and nostalgia. More than just baseball cards, they represent a time when Donruss transformed card collecting into an appreciation of sports art—a tradition that helped make the Diamond Kings one of the most iconic subsets in hobby history.

The 1988 Donruss Hall of Fame Puzzle features legendary St. Louis Cardinals icon Stan "The Man" Musial.

True to Donruss tradition, instead of including bubble gum in wax packs—which often stained the cards—Donruss included a 3-piece cardboard puzzle panel in every pack.

Key Facts About the Puzzle

• Total Pieces: The complete puzzle is made up of 63 individual pieces spread across 21 unique 3-card panels.

• The Artwork: Created by renowned sports artist Dick Perez, the finished puzzle showcases a classic portrait of Musial alongside an action shot of his famous coiled batting stance.

• The Backs: The back of each puzzle piece features detailed career statistics, biographical notes, and highlights of Musial's Hall of Fame career.

The 1988 Donruss Diamond Kings is a 27-card insert set included in 1988 Donruss Baseball. Each card features an original painting by renowned baseball artist Dick Perez, showcasing one standout player from each Major League team. The fronts combine Perez’s artwork with player statistics and a distinctive woodgrain border, while the backs include a player biography and career highlights. The Diamond Kings subset became one of Donruss’ signature features throughout the 1980s and remains popular with collectors for its unique blend of baseball history and sports art.

The 1991 Donruss Diamond Kings set continued one of the hobby’s most beloved traditions, combining baseball cards with artwork. Created by renowned sports artist Dick Perez, the 27-card set showcased many of the game’s biggest stars through detailed painted portraits that stood apart from standard photography-based cards.

Featured players included legends and fan favorites such as Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, Ryne Sandberg, Cal Ripken Jr., and Rickey Henderson. Inserted into the regular 1991 Donruss set, Diamond Kings gave collectors a premium-feeling card before inserts became a major part of the hobby.

Today, the 1991 Diamond Kings remain popular among collectors who appreciate the artistic side of card collecting. The combination of Perez’s iconic artwork and the star-studded checklist has helped the set endure as one of the highlights of the early 1990s Donruss release.