The 1989 Topps baseball card set was the 58th year Topps had produced baseball cards. It marked another classic year for the iconic brand. The set included photos of 792 total players and managers. Some of the key things collectors remember about the 1989 Topps baseball card set include:
Design and Photography – The 1989 design featured a simple red border with “Topps” angled at the top in white letters. Player names appeared below photos in white. Turning the card sideways revealed stats on the reverse. Additionally, Topps made changes to their photography that year. They instituted more uniform headshots with plain backgrounds instead of action shots. This allowed the players to stand out more clearly.
Rookies of Note – Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie card was arguably the most coveted in the set. Considered one of the best players of his generation, Griffey’s star power was apparent from the beginning. His vibrant smile and smooth left-handed swing made him a fan favorite. Other notable rookies included Andy Benes, Gregg Jefferies, and Tim Belcher. Griffey’s card now routinely sells for over $100 in near-mint condition.
Star Players – The set commemorated the careers of all-time greats like Nolan Ryan, George Brett, Mike Schmidt, and Tony Gwynn. It also captured career years from Rickey Henderson, Wade Boggs, and Ozzie Smith. Mark McGwire blasted 29 bombs for the Athletics in 1989 as well. The set was a who’s who of talent from that era.
Design Changes – Topps made some subtle design changes that year. They altered the font slightly and enlarged the player photo size by about 15%. This shifted more focus towards the image rather than text. Glossy stock remained standard and lent a classic look overall. Airbrush touch-ups were still commonly used on older players as well.
Variation Cards – As with most Topps sets, errors and variations added mystique. Among the notable ’89 variations: Pete Incaviglia appeared without a team logo on his regular card. Nolan Ryan had an error with no statistics on the back. And Tommy John was pictured twice due to a photo swap glitch. Variations like these intrigue collectors to this day.
Inserts and Promos – Topps issued several specialty parallel insert subsets. The most popular were “Topps Traded” for players traded mid-season and “All-Star” for the AL and NL midsummer classic teams. Mini-posters and sticker promotions were also available in packs. As with Griffey’s, these scarce extras hold significant collector value today.
Legacy and Collectibility – Over 30 years later, the 1989 Topps set remains a historic representation of the game at that moment. Icons like Rickey Henderson, Wade Boggs and Tony Gwynn possessed the cards in their primes. Meanwhile, a young Griffey flashed the promise of greatness to come. Condition sensitive chases for star rookies and parallels keep the set popular with investors. Short prints like Incaviglia’s team-less issue especially intrigue completionists. All in all, the 1989 Topps baseball card set merits preservation as an invaluable slice of baseball card/pop culture history from the late 80s era. Its photographs and players carry immense nostalgia and collectible staying power.
