I received a bunch of Diamond Kings toward my project to collect all the DKs from 1982-1992 from Mike D. When I looked at some of the cards I was struck with the feeling "they were a Diamond King?"
I love the confetti design but Diamond King worthy? In 1986, Rhoden was 15-12 but who else are you going to have from the Pirates?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVV049ucQ1bz16ilktoQGNS4KOOb_i0hSYRLcYv-mTj_XMCMKr0a2zLsobEWyiihtapSZhyFIVhdhjoL3VLESEqw1ExS917CI_JkQRrgNMOWr4u7GvZqDHg_XQmGhERCKqX43a_8o4Qk/s400/DK+Rick+Rhoden.jpg)
Mike's 1989 record was 18-7 which is definitely Diamond King worthy. After that great year he had mostly forgettable seasons with the Braves, Indians, Braves again, Angels, and the Braves one more time.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPN7WumLbuIHiOvfYHhTKpGS_TcN_bKwZZc8O4mFoyfgMBqggJ47UzesrcR4ZJ7yTkb3UT7IcoqRbOLt-bLgePUqsXI2sEpxxmUuRIQMENPUA9hS0XlVeXygChxwLDXGmMz-qeEMEX1qQ/s400/DK+Mike+Bielecki.jpg)
Jeff's 1987 record was 9-6 which isn't too shabby for a rookie pitcher. His '88 record improved to 13-6 but by the end of 1992 season Jeff would be out of the majors.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoCiIxmz4WAgBk3HCacCKPe4Y5N5RiWmsV74kasds_X5h7Xyn-itSCzyiHzcZ4xltHI3DTJIZ7Zv1d-htPYlhE9yDsQF_1MdcF3Ul6v_S551U80QSbF9Xg0GI9jHQL-FCA0btafJ7UpA/s400/DK+Jeff+Robinson.jpg)
Who doesn't love Glenn Hubbard and his appearance on possibly the greatest card ever [or just check out Cardboard Junkie's masthead image]. But a Diamond King...really? Glenn's '87 season was pretty lackluster batting .264 with five home runs and 38 RBIs. He did lead the National League in assists though.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZPQR2_ZnYIGAKItUM7WEpeZMV9E_SXIU2nPg_IlYfgLfG8igvCHVLDJ82SX4-eixOx9XKxeqOdhzGyoAIFYCTlsipjFWmTh120MLa1zkcD3IbrUbFqIq0AZyWqVnkKnnHtIDQ7WKxYc/s400/DK+Glenn+Hubbard.jpg)
I think I can honestly say that I have never heard of Ed Whitson. Which is surprising since he had cards out during my initial card collecting days and I had stacks and stacks of 1990 Donruss. Ed was 16-11 in '89 and had an impressive 2.66 ERA.
I love the confetti design but Diamond King worthy? In 1986, Rhoden was 15-12 but who else are you going to have from the Pirates?
1987 Donruss #10 Rick Rhoden Diamond Kings
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVV049ucQ1bz16ilktoQGNS4KOOb_i0hSYRLcYv-mTj_XMCMKr0a2zLsobEWyiihtapSZhyFIVhdhjoL3VLESEqw1ExS917CI_JkQRrgNMOWr4u7GvZqDHg_XQmGhERCKqX43a_8o4Qk/s400/DK+Rick+Rhoden.jpg)
Mike's 1989 record was 18-7 which is definitely Diamond King worthy. After that great year he had mostly forgettable seasons with the Braves, Indians, Braves again, Angels, and the Braves one more time.
1990 Donruss #9 Mike Bielecki Diamond Kings
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPN7WumLbuIHiOvfYHhTKpGS_TcN_bKwZZc8O4mFoyfgMBqggJ47UzesrcR4ZJ7yTkb3UT7IcoqRbOLt-bLgePUqsXI2sEpxxmUuRIQMENPUA9hS0XlVeXygChxwLDXGmMz-qeEMEX1qQ/s400/DK+Mike+Bielecki.jpg)
Jeff's 1987 record was 9-6 which isn't too shabby for a rookie pitcher. His '88 record improved to 13-6 but by the end of 1992 season Jeff would be out of the majors.
1988 Donruss #18 Jeff Robinson Diamond Kings
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoCiIxmz4WAgBk3HCacCKPe4Y5N5RiWmsV74kasds_X5h7Xyn-itSCzyiHzcZ4xltHI3DTJIZ7Zv1d-htPYlhE9yDsQF_1MdcF3Ul6v_S551U80QSbF9Xg0GI9jHQL-FCA0btafJ7UpA/s400/DK+Jeff+Robinson.jpg)
Who doesn't love Glenn Hubbard and his appearance on possibly the greatest card ever [or just check out Cardboard Junkie's masthead image]. But a Diamond King...really? Glenn's '87 season was pretty lackluster batting .264 with five home runs and 38 RBIs. He did lead the National League in assists though.
1988 Donruss #22 Glenn Hubbard Diamond Kings
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZPQR2_ZnYIGAKItUM7WEpeZMV9E_SXIU2nPg_IlYfgLfG8igvCHVLDJ82SX4-eixOx9XKxeqOdhzGyoAIFYCTlsipjFWmTh120MLa1zkcD3IbrUbFqIq0AZyWqVnkKnnHtIDQ7WKxYc/s400/DK+Glenn+Hubbard.jpg)
I think I can honestly say that I have never heard of Ed Whitson. Which is surprising since he had cards out during my initial card collecting days and I had stacks and stacks of 1990 Donruss. Ed was 16-11 in '89 and had an impressive 2.66 ERA.
1990 Donruss #26 Ed Whitson Diamond Kings
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3W47Xi6NW0oLkWVACFir2dZ7-dwosKsn-esLchgKjhIdI7bFy2kAlujeRPl6898qU849W42ifkHAcCpC05Nh3btSnQgq_F0jKFFe4XEIKJUAbTL0mNK4WkxKMeWdtnx5Niy-Uc9m_2MQ/s400/DK+Ed+Whitson.jpg)
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