The 1989 Topps baseball card set is considered by many collectors to be one of the most iconic rookie card releases of all time. While it did not feature future Hall of Famers on the level of the 1952, 1968, or 1987 Topps sets, the ’89 issue holds a special place in the hearts of many due to the exciting rookie class it encapsulated who went on to have impressive MLB careers.
Some of the top rookies in the 1989 Topps set included Sandy Alomar Jr., Gregg Jefferies, Tom Glavine, Andy Benes, Gary Sheffield, and Bob Welch. One card in particular stands out as arguably the most valuable and recognizable from the entire release – Ken Griffey Jr. Card #359 featuring the young outfielder from the Seattle Mariners is widely considered the crown jewel of the ’89 Topps issue.
Griffey was hailed as one of the best all-around prospects in baseball history and “The Natural” as a reference to his effortless talent and charisma on the field. Even as a rookie, he was among the most talented and exciting players in baseball. This translated to huge demand for his rookie card, which today in PSA 10 Gem Mint condition can sell for over $10,000. While not quite on par with flagship rookies like the 1952 Mickey Mantle or 1957 Hank Aaron, the Griffey Jr. ’89 Topps card is undoubtedly one of the most coveted and iconic of the modern era.
The 1989 Topps set had a total issue size of 792 cards and marked the 26th year Topps had the MLB license. The design featured a vertical layout with a photo on the left and a white border along the right side for the player’s name, team, and stats. The design was simple yet effective in highlighting the photos, which were of generally good quality though a step below what Topps produced in later years. The Griffey Jr. card stood out not just for the player, but for having one of the crispest, clearest photos in the entire set.
Beyond Griffey and the other star rookies, the 1989 Topps set as a whole provided an interesting snapshot of where MLB stood at that point. Future Hall of Famers like Nolan Ryan, Rickey Henderson, Tony Gwynn, and Robin Yount were entering the later stages of their careers. Young stars like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Cal Ripken Jr. were entering their primes. The set also featured 5 players who would eventually accumulate over 500 career home runs – Griffey, McGwire, Bonds, Frank Thomas, and Rafael Palmeiro.
On the team side, the Oakland A’s dynasty of the late 80s was represented with stars like Henderson, McGwire, and Dave Stewart after having won 3 straight AL pennants from 1988-1990. The Mets’ world championship team of 1986 also had many holdovers like Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, and Gary Carter. The set provides a neat retrospective on late 80s rosters before free agency and expansion fully altered MLB’s landscape in the coming years.
In addition to Griffey, a few others of the rookie crop went on to have exceptional careers. Tom Glavine would become a Hall of Famer and one of the best lefty pitchers of his generation for the Atlanta Braves. Gary Sheffield hit over 500 home runs and made multiple All-Star teams as a perennial MVP candidate. Bob Welch had a couple of All-Star appearances and won the 1990 AL Cy Young award before injuries cut his career short.
Gregg Jefferies had a couple excellent seasons but never fully lived up to his immense talent and hype. Andy Benes had a solid career as a workhorse starter but fell just short of stardom. Perhaps the most interesting “bust” was catcher Sandy Alomar Jr., who did have a 12-year career but never approached the offensive heights expected after a strong rookie season.
In the years since their release, the 1989 Topps rookie cards have grown hugely in popularity and demand thanks to the impressive careers of Griffey, Glavine, and others in the class. While production numbers were higher than modern sets, the sheer caliber of rookie talent makes it a true heavyweight among vintage issues. For collectors, finding high grade Griffey and other top rookie cards from the ’89 Topps set remains a tremendously exciting and rewarding prospect decades later. It showcased many future stars and continues to stand as one of the most iconic releases from the hallowed brand.
