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.
