The 1989 Leaf baseball card set is one of the more underrated issues from the late 1980s. While it didn’t receive the same hype as flagship Topps or Donruss sets that year, Leaf released a aesthetically pleasing 555-card base set along with various insert sets that featured some of the game’s biggest stars. Although the Leaf brand had been around for over a decade by 1989, it was still working to establish itself among collectors. As a result, many of these cards slipped through the cracks and remained relatively inexpensive even just a few years after their initial release. As the vintage baseball card market has continued to boom in recent years, several key 1989 Leaf cards have started to emerge as major premium contenders thanks to their iconic players, serially numbered parallels, and memorable moments captured on the cardboard.
One of the biggest money cards from 1989 Leaf is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie(#437). Junior had just finished his electrifying Rookie of the Year campaign with the Mariners in which he blasted 24 home runs and batted .284 at just 19 years old. Leaf wisely chose to feature Griffey prominently on their flagship set and his card became a huge hit among collectors. Over time, as Griffey grew to become arguably the most popular player of the 1990s and one of the all-time greats, demand for his rookie skyrocketed. PSA 10 examples now sell for well over $1000 on the secondary market. Even raw copies in excellent shape can fetch several hundred dollars.
Other star rookies from the ’89 Leaf set that have gained considerable value include Gregg Olson(#520), Mark McGwire(#306), and Kevin Maas(#527). Olson blossomed into one of the premier closers of the early 1990s for Baltimore while McGwire and Maas both showed huge power potential in their debuts despite McGwire being the only one to fully realize it long term. Low-numbered PSA/BGS graded versions of these cards in much demand, especially for McGwire.
In addition to premier rookies, 1989 Leaf featured several popular serially numbered parallels that have become highly-coveted by collectors. Their “All-Star Stitches” parallel featured stitching around the borders and a red-foil numbering between /199 copies. Singles of Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Cal Ripken Jr and others from this flashy parallel command big money today. Another parallel was their “Glossy” version, featuring a glossy protective coating over the image. These are among the most visually striking cards from the set and players like Rickey Henderson, Ozzie Smith and Ken Griffey Jr. routinely sell for $100+ in high grades.
Several key storylines and milestones from 1989 are also captured on special Leaf cards that hold significance. Bo Jackson’s legendary athleticism is remembered on his #92 Winter Olympic Games insert, where he is shown running and catching for Team USA. His impressive two-sport talents made him a cultural phenomenon and this unique card preserving his Olympic achievement is highly valuable. Also, Nolan Ryan’s record-breaking 5th career no-hitter from May 1, 1989 vs the Dodgers is depicted on his #90 Special Achievements insert. As one of the game’s most hallowed individual records, this milestone moment frozen on a card is a true piece of baseball history worth a premium price.
Leaf also included quality team and league leaders inserts like their Diamond Greats parallel which featured foil stars above stellar performers like Rickey Henderson’s career-high .401 batting average. Beautiful vintage team and league cards are very collectible as well. The set contained inserts featuring the league’s top home run hitters from 1988 like McGwire who belted 49 that season. Cards highlighting major milestones and statistical achievements like this hold significance.
Perhaps the most visually stunning Leaf cards from 1989 were their limited edition Marvel Universe parallel sets which pictured players as Marvel superheroes and contained signatures. Exceedingly rare population-wise, low-numbered signatures of Super Ken Griffey Jr., The Incredible Hulk Mark McGwire, and other stars can bring thousands given their novelty factor. Error cards from the set command big money for completionists, like Dave Stieb’s #542 card which features another player’s photo incorrectly.
While not as high-profile as other late 80s releases, the 1989 Leaf baseball set deserves more attention from collectors today. With iconic rookie cards, flashy parallels, and special moments frozen in time, it provides a portal into an exciting era of the game. Several key cards have already achieved substantial value recognition and many others remain affordable investments with room to appreciate further. For those hunting vintage cardboard that tells the story of baseball history while still flying somewhat under the radar, 1989 Leaf has a lot to offer.
