The 1989 Topps Big Baseball card set showcased larger versions of Topps’ flagship baseball cards for that year. At approximate dimensions of 5.5″ x 8″, these oversized cards presented stats, bios and photography of MLB players in an enlarged format that appealed to many collectors. While production numbers for the set were not exceedingly high compared to a typical Topps release, demand has increased interest and prices over the decades. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top cards from the ’89 Topps Big set and explore estimated current values.
Perhaps the most coveted and valuable card from the 162-card checklist is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was already establishing himself as a superstar outfielder with impressive stats and highlight-reel catches in his first two seasons with the Seattle Mariners. His baby-faced appearance and outstanding skills presaged a likely Hall of Fame career. Many consider Junior the greatest five-tool player of all time. In top-graded gem mint condition, a PSA 10 Griffey Jr. ’89 Big rookie easily fetches over $2000 today due to strong popularity and limited high-grade populations. Even well-centered raw copies in excellent condition can sell for several hundred dollars.
Other rookie cards that tend to realize four-figure prices include those of Barry Bonds, Frank Thomas,Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine. Bonds’ power projections as a Pittsburgh Pirate were just being realized, while Thomas was coming off his rookie of the year campaign with the Chicago White Sox. Both Maddux and Glavine had recently anchored young Atlanta Braves staffs and were viewed as future aces. All achieved incredible MLB careers that placed them among the all-time greats. Mint condition of these rookies often exceeds $1000.
Veteran stars with solid track records also appear prominently. A PSA 10 Ozzie Smith is typically a $500-700 card thanks to his iconic defensive wizardry at shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals. The “Wizard” was a perennial gold glover just coming off five straight all-star appearances. Fellow Cardinal legend Bob Gibson, nearing retirement, still carried value from his storied complete game dominance of the 1960s. His ’89 Big card averages around $150-250 in top shape.
Other popular veterans worth noting include Don Mattingly of the Yankees, slugger George Brett of the Royals near the end of his Hall of Fame career, and California Angels fireballer Nolan Ryan still piling up strikeouts past age 40. All in pristine condition can sell between $100-300. Lesser known but valuable rookies are Lenny Dykstra of the Mets and Bobby Thigpen of the White Sox, both coming off all-star nods, in the $75-150 range when finely preserved.
Of course, stars of the era like Oakland’s Bash Brothers Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, Cleveland’s Cory Snyder and Dodger pitching ace Orel Hershiser retained interest as their accomplishments were unfolding in real-time. High-grade examples can reach $50-150 based on performance markers at the time of card production. Beyond rookies and elite veterans, there are also scarce short-print parallel versions that escalate prices when found in mint state.
The oversized cards of the 1989 Topps Big set remain a favorite amongst vintage baseball collectors even decades later. While larger in size and rarer than a typical Topps issue, steady interest has inflated values for star rookies and hall of famers from the release. Condition sensitive like all vintage, examples found in pristine protective sleeves with sharp images and no flaws can still realize hundreds or thousands today. The thrill of displaying stat-filled bios and large photos of MLB greats keeps this cherished set highly sought after and prized in collections.
