The 1989 Bowman baseball card set was released at the tail end of the vibrant late 80s baseball card boom. While not quite as coveted as sets from 1987 or 1988, the ’89 Bowman issue contains several notable rookie cards and stars of the day that have held or increased in value over the past 30+ years. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top 1989 Bowman baseball cards that could be worth a significant return on investment if graded and preserved in mint condition.
Perhaps the most sought-after item from the set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the best all-around players of his generation, Griffey was already showing flashes of brilliance in his age 19 season with Seattle in 1988 when these cards were produced. His smooth left-handed swing and athleticism in center field made him a fan favorite from the start. High-grade Griffey rookies in PSA 10 Gem Mint condition have realized auction prices upwards of $10,000 in recent years. Even well-centered PSA 9 Excellent copies can fetch $2,000-4,000. It’s no exaggeration to say the Griffey is the crown jewel of the ’89 Bowman set.
Another tremendous player with cards that have appreciated greatly is Greg Maddux. The Hall of Fame starting pitcher’s rookie is found in the 1989 issue. Maddux went on to win 4 consecutive Cy Young Awards from 1992-1995 with the Atlanta Braves, establishing himself as one of the greatest control pitchers in MLB history. His pristine overhand delivery and pinpoint control allowed him to stay effective well into his late 30s. PSA 10 Maddux rookies have broken $5,000, with high-grade copies in the $1,000-2,000 range. His star power and pitching dominance ensure the card remains a desirable vintage item.
In addition to young stars, the set features several established names who were entering their primes in 1989, like Kirby Puckett and Mark McGwire. Puckett’s smooth left-handed swing helped the fiery competitor lead the Minnesota Twins to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991. He made 6 All-Star appearances in the late 80s/early 90s and won batting titles in 1989 and 1990. PSA 10 Puckett cards can reach $500-1,000. Meanwhile, McGwire was well on his way to smashing the single season home run record in 1998 after proving himself as one of baseball’s elite sluggers in St. Louis throughout the late 80s and 90s. High-grade 1989 Bowman McGwire cards trade between $200-500.
Other notable rookies and future Hall of Famers included are Tom Glavine, Jeff Bagwell, and David Justice. Glavine went on to 300 wins and 2 Cy Youngs as the ace of those great Atlanta rotations. PSA 10 Glavine rookies sell for $300-600. Bagwell was the 1991 NL batting champ and .300 hitter in Houston, with his rookie reaching $200-400. And Justice was a 5-time All-Star with the Braves in the 1990s, with high-grade ’89 Bowmans at $150-300. Solid players like Barry Larkin, Wade Boggs, and Dennis Eckersley round out the true “hits” from the set at $100-250 each.
Of course, condition is absolutely critical when considering the value of any vintage baseball card. Minor flaws can decrease a card’s worth significantly compared to a pristine near-mint or better example preserved in a tamper-evident holder like those from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). Centering, corners, edges and surface defects all factor heavily into the overall numerical grade. With the transcendent stars of Griffey and Maddux headlining its rookie class, the 1989 Bowman baseball set remains an iconic release from the height of the card-collecting boom. Over 30 years later, condition-sensitive examples continue to provide a worthwhile long-term investment for savvy collectors.
While not the most abundant or recognized set from the late 1980s, the 1989 Bowman baseball issue rewards investors with mint gems of superstars like Ken Griffey Jr., Greg Maddux, Kirby Puckett and Mark McGwire. Factors like a player’s career performance, Hall of Fame credentials, and the overall supply of high-quality specimens preserved in third-party holders influence individual card values today. For condition-conscious collectors, treasures await those willing to hunt auctions and shops for pristine, authentically graded ‘89 Bowman rookie cards and stars of the era still attainable in the $100-5000 range after more than three decades.
