The 1989 Topps Ozzie Smith baseball card is one of the most famous and valuable cards in the collection of any baseball card enthusiast. Ozzie Smith, known by his nickname “The Wizard” was one of the greatest defensive shortstops to ever play the game. His flashy play and acrobatic defensive skills were must-see TV throughout the 1980s as he anchored the St. Louis Cardinals infield.
By 1989, Ozzie Smith was already a 13-year MLB veteran and had established himself as the premier defensive shortstop in baseball. He had won the NL Gold Glove Award every season from 1980-1989, displaying defensive skill and range that was virtually unmatched at his position. On the 1989 Topps card, Ozzie is shown leaping high in the air, glove outstretched as he looks to rob a hitter of a base hit. This iconic photo perfectly captures Smith’s trademark “backspin” leaping throw from deep in the hole at shortstop.
The text on the back of the 1989 Ozzie Smith card lists some of his impressive defensive stats to that point in his career. It noted he had led the NL in fielding percentage 5 times, set a major league record for career assists by a shortstop, and was a 13-time All-Star. Offensively, Smith was never a power hitter but was a speedster on the basepaths, notching over 30 stolen bases in 3 different seasons.
By 1989, Ozzie Smith was already a veteran leader on excellent Cardinals teams. That season he helped lead St. Louis to a 92-70 record and a first-place finish in the NL East division. The Cardinals would go on to defeat the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS, sending them to the World Series versus the Oakland A’s. It was the second World Series appearance of Smith’s career, as the Cardinals fell short losing to Oakland 4-0.
Despite the Cardinals World Series loss, 1989 was another excellent all-around season for Ozzie Smith. He batted .261 with 4 home runs, 51 RBI, and 19 stolen bases while continuing his elite defense up the middle. Smith won his 10th straight Gold Glove Award and was selected to the All-Star team for the 13th consecutive season, showcasing his superstar level of play near the end of his 30s.
The 1989 Topps Ozzie Smith card is one of the most recognizable and prized baseball cards of the late 1980s era. With Smith’s iconic defensive wizardry and status as a fan favorite in St. Louis, the card became extremely popular among collectors at the time of its release. Over 30 years later, the ’89 Ozzie Smith remains quite valuable in the eyes of hobbyists. In top grades of mint or near-mint condition, the card can sell for over $100 raw or $300 or more if graded highly by authentication companies like PSA or BGS.
Part of the reason for the card’s lasting popularity and demand has been Ozzie Smith’s elite career and reputation as one of the best shortstops in MLB history. By the time he finally retired following the 1996 season, Ozzie had amassed a career batting average of .262 with 2,460 hits, 1,500 runs scored, and 1,590 walks drawn. Offensively, he fell just shy of hitting 30 career home runs with 28 overall. However, Smith’s true legacy was forged through his incredible defensive accomplishments at shortstop over 19 MLB seasons.
Amazingly, Ozzie Smith set major league records for career putouts, assists, and double plays by a shortstop that still stand today. His 13 Gold Glove Awards are tied for the most all-time at any position in MLB history. Advanced defensive metrics like total zone runs and runs saved also rate Smith as arguably the best fielding shortstop ever compiled. After his retirement, Ozzie was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002, receiving over 90% of the vote in his first year of eligibility.
In the over 30 years since its release, the 1989 Topps Ozzie Smith baseball card has grown in prestige. It serves as a tribute to one of the all-time greatest defensive players and Cardinals franchise icons. The card’s memorable photo and connection to Smith’s prime playing years in St. Louis helps explain its enduring popularity among collectors. As long as Ozzie’s brilliant defensive wizardry remains celebrated, interest in this defining moment 1989 Topps card will surely continue. It stands as one of the most significant baseball cards representing a true legend of the game.
