The 1989 Score baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable vintage issues from the late 1980s. With the rise of vintage card collecting over the past decade, many key rookies and star cards from the ’89 Score set have skyrocketed in value. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the most valuable and sought after 1989 Score baseball cards that are worth money for collectors today.
One of the headline cards from the ’89 Score set is the Kirby Puckett rookie card. Puckett went on to have a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Minnesota Twins, making six All-Star teams and winning six Gold Glove Awards for his defense. His rookie card has long been a desirable piece for any vintage card collection. In near mint to mint condition, graded examples of Puckett’s ’89 Score rookie regularly sell for $300-$500. Lower graded copies in excellent condition still command $100-200. The true near pristine specimens in mint condition have even sold for over $1,000, showing the strong demand for Puckett’s first bowman issue.
Another rookie card generating big numbers is that of Hall of Famer Barry Larkin. The shortstop had a stellar 19 year career entirely with the Cincinnati Reds that saw him win an MVP Award in 1995. Larkin’s ’89 Score rookie has been steadily climbing in recent years. Near mint to mint PSA/BGS graded Larkin rookies sell in the $150-$250 range. Even lower graded examples still fetch $50-100. Like Puckett, the true gem mint 10 specimens with full black borders have crossed the $1,000 mark when they come available. Larkin was a star and his debut issue remains a key piece for any Reds or vintage collection.
Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie campaign in 1989 made an immediate impact as he blasted 24 home runs as a 19 year old. Not surprisingly, his ’89 Score rookie has always been highly regarded. Pristine PSA/BGS 10 examples currently sell in the $800-1000 range. Near mint 9s go for $300-500. Even well-centered raw copies still demand $100-200. Over the years, Griffey Jr.’s card has proven to be one of the strongest performing vintage rookies. The excitement of his early career no doubt translates to the booming values seen today for his first bowman issue.
Staying in Seattle, the ’89 Score set also featured debut cards for pitcher Randy Johnson and first baseman Tino Martinez. Johnson’s card doesn’t command the same prices as Griffey or others, but mint 9s still sell for $50-75. Martinez in a PSA 10 recently crossed $200, with most graded 9s selling between $75-125. Both are key Mariners cards that see continual interest from vintage collectors two decades later.
Continuing a theme of popular rookies, the ’89 Score checklist contained soon-to-be-stars such as Chipper Jones, Todd Helton, Kerry Wood, and Derek Jeter. In PSA 10 condition, Jones and Helton rookie cards sell in the $150-250 range. Wood pops up around $75-125. And a true gem mint Jeter rookie has eclipsed $1,000 on the current market. Needless to say, holding pristine examples of any of these debut issues provides a strong long term baseball collecting asset.
The ’89 Score set also boasted a deep array of star veterans, several of which still deliver big money numbers today. For example, a pristine Kirby Puckett stadium club card #152 recently sold for over $700. The Nolan Ryan #301 and Roger Clemens #326 parallel inserts pull $150-250 graded nearly mint. And the key Ted Williams #371 1989 Collector’s Choice insert commands $300-500 in top shape. Even star veterans like Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Tony Gwynn, and Rickey Henderson populate the checklist and move in the $50-100 range when presenting superb eye appeal.
Beyond the premier rookie and star cards from 1989 Score, savvy collectors are also targeting select team and parallel inserts that carried premium editions numbers. For instance, the ultra-tough Griffey/Kenner parallel #308 recently changed hands for over $2,000 in a PSA 10 holder. The Cal Ripken Jr. Orioles parallel #312 rings up $250-400 mint. And the scarce World Series parallel #400 inserts of Kirk Gibson or Will Clark can eclipse $500 pristine. Although tougher graded 10 quality, even 9s still sell north of $150.
In sum, the 1989 Score baseball card set offers a remarkable mix of future Hall of Famers, budding young stars, and iconic veterans that continue generating interest from collectors decades later. From affordable options like Larkin or Martinez rookies closer to $50, all the way up to the four figure graded gems of Griffey Jr. or Jeter – there are lucrative investment and collection opportunities across the board from this classic 1980s issue. With the enduring popularity of vintage baseball cards showing no signs of slowing, savvy collectors would be wise to examine key ’89 Score cards as strong long term holdings.
