1981 Donruss Danny Ainge Rookie Card #336
Danny Ainge · Donruss · Rookie Card (RC)
Player
Danny Ainge
Set
1981 Donruss Baseball
Year
1981
Card #
#336
Condition Grade
PSA 6 (EX-MT) Equivalent. The card shows decent centering for this set, but the bottom-right corner appears soft, and there are visible print defects/snow in the blue background typical of 1981 Donruss manufacturing.
Category
Rookie Card (RC)
Manufacturer
Donruss
Demand Level
Moderate to Strong. There is a consistent niche demand from Boston Celtics fans and collectors of multi-sport athletes. Demand spikes during NBA playoffs or when Ainge is in the sports news cycle.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$5.00 - $12.00
Graded Value
PSA 7: $25-35; PSA 8: $50-70; PSA 9: $150-200. (Note: PSA 10s are extremely rare for this set due to poor quality control and sell for over $1,500).
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies range from $6 to $15 depending on centering. PSA 8 copies have recently settled around the $60 mark. Market trend is stable.
Description
Featured here is the 1981 Donruss rookie card of dual-sport athlete Danny Ainge. The card features Ainge in his Toronto Blue Jays uniform in a fielding stance. The design includes the classic green-bordered '81 Donruss frame with the 'Blue Jays' team name in yellow script. This is one of the most iconic 'crossover' cards in the hobby, representing Ainge before his legendary NBA career with the Boston Celtics.
Key Features
This is Danny Ainge's official Rookie Card. It is highly collectible as a 'crossover' card for both MLB and NBA collectors. It is part of Donruss's inaugural baseball set, which is known for significant condition rarity due to thin card stock and poor printing tech at the time.
Authenticity Indicators
Authenticity is High. The paper stock has the correct thickness and 'grainy' matte feel of early 80s Donruss. The halftone dot pattern in the player image is consistent with 1981 lithographic printing. This card is rarely counterfeited because raw values are relatively low.
Flaws to Note
Common 1981 Donruss issues are present: minor edge chipping, soft corners (particularly localized on the right side), and 'fisheyes' or white print spots in the solid blue/green areas of the photograph. Centering is moderately shifted towards the bottom-left.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this card to reach both baseball and basketball collectors. COMC is also a good option for fixed-price long-term sales for a card of this value tier.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card unless you believe it is a flawless PSA 9 or 10, as grading fees will exceed the market value of a mid-grade specimen. List with keywords like 'NBA star', 'Celtics', and 'Rookie Card' to attract crossover buyers. Use a fresh penny sleeve and top-loader for photos to show you care for the condition.