The 1989 Upper Deck and Score baseball card sets were two of the most highly anticipated releases of the late 1980s. Coming on the heels of Donruss and Topps’ widely popular sets in 1988, collectors were eager to see what innovations Upper Deck and Score would bring with their flagship ’89 offerings. Both companies delivered iconic sets that featured unique designs, sharp photography, and some of the game’s biggest stars and rising young players.
Score took collector excitement to new heights with the introduction of their ‘Superstar’ parallel subset. Featuring enlarged photographs and a stylized color scheme on a silver base, these parallel cards spotlighted the true elite talents in the league. A who’s who of future Hall of Famers and perennial All-Stars comprised the ’89 Superstars checklist, with names like Wade Boggs, Kirby Puckett, Dennis Eckersley, and Tony Gwynn among those selected.
What made these Superstars so desirable was not just the star power of the players, but the aesthetics of the inserts themselves. The oversized image completely covered the front of the card from edge to edge. This allowed for crisper, higher quality photographs with no distractions around the perimeter. And unlike standard inserts of the time which were often on a white base, Score utilized a shiny silver make these parallels instantly recognizable.
Chief among the desirable ’89 Score Superstars was the Kirby Puckett card. As the fresh-faced young star of the Minnesota Twins beginning to emerge on the national scene, Puckett was becoming a fan favorite for his all-out style of play. His Superstar card featured a tight headshot of Kirby flashing his signature toothy grin, exemplifying his affable personality. With its dynamic lighting and captivating subject, this Puckett parallel became one of the most coveted and valuable rookie cards of the late 80s/early 90s boom.
Another immensely popular ’89 Superstar was the Wade Boggs parallel. As the hitting machine for the Boston Red Sox, Boggs was in his prime at age 31 in 1988-89. His rock steady consistency at the plate and immaculate batting stance made him the consummate professional hitter. On his Score Superstar, Boggs is captured in the on deck circle preparing for his at bat with his trademark concentration. This card captured perhaps the best player of his era and his laser-like focus, defining him as the ultimate “Superstar.”
Still other big name Superstars from the ’89 Score set include the Rocket Roger Clemens, slugging first baseman Mark McGwire, smooth fielding shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., and Hall of Fame closer Dennis Eckersley. Each parallel spotlighted these elite talents with sharp photos that allowed their skills and personalities to shine through for collectors. The diversity of positions and eras also made completing the full rainbow foil Superstar subset a challenging and rewarding quest for most collectors.
While Upper Deck is often heralded as revolutionizing the baseball card industry in the late 80s/early 90s, Score cannot be overlooked for the innovations they brought as well. Between the enlarged “Superstar” images, the foil rainbow parallels, and the all-star checklist, the 1989 Score set helped elevate insert sets to new heights of desirability. Cards like the Puckett and Boggs remain very valuable to this day, frequently grading and selling for hundreds or even thousands of dollars in top condition due to their iconic photos and limited print runs.
For the devoted collectors of the late 80s and 90s boom, completing the ’89 Score Superstar rainbow held a special prestige. It represented owning cards of the very best to ever play, captured in unique parallel designs before anyone knew how their careers might pan out. Even for today’s collectors just getting introduced to the hobby, these oversized parallels maintain their appeal for the star power and artistic excellence on display. After more than 30 years, the 1989 Score Superstars continue to be remembered as pioneering insert sets that helped drive collector excitement to new levels. Their designs may now be retro, but the all-star talent featured ensure these parallels retain their status as some of the most coveted and valuable cards from the height of the boom.
