1989 UPPER DECK BASEBALL BEST CARDS

The 1989 Upper Deck baseball card set was truly unique and revolutionary for its time. As the first mainstream licensed baseball card set not produced by Topps since their monopoly ended in 1981, Upper Deck brought new designs, higher quality paper/printing stock, and unprecedented attention to authenticating contributors. With fewer than 700 cards total in the flagship set, the scarcity and pristine condition of many of the top rookies and stars from 1989 make them highly sought after by collectors to this day. While there are certainly many exciting and valuable cards across the entire 1989 Upper Deck run, here are some of the most notable “short prints” and standout rookie cards that truly defined this legendary release:

Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card: Widely considered the crown jewel of 1989 Upper Deck and one of the most iconic rookie cards ever made, the Ken Griffey Jr. RC is arguably the undisputed number one card from this set. Griffey was already captivating audiences in his rookie season of ’89 with jaw-dropping plays in center field and a sweet left-handed swing. His boyish grin and effortless athleticism resonated with baseball fans of all ages. Upper Deck authentically captured the excitement of “The Kid’s” rookie potential with a simple yet memorable design highlighting his name, team and position. In top gem mint condition, pristine Griffey Jr. rookies now sell for upwards of $10,000-15,000 or more in auction. Even well-worn copies still fetch $1,000+ due to Griffey’s legendary career and status as one of the most popular players ever.

Barry Bonds Rookie Card: Though overshadowed in popularity and value by Griffey’s more charismatic rookie card, the Barry Bonds RC from 1989 Upper Deck is still an extremely significant piece of cardboard history in its own right. Bonds was already establishing himself as an elite talent and 5-tool star in just his second big league season. His rookie card features a clean design with solid action photography emphasizing his athleticism. High grade Bonds rookies are especially scarce, with gem mint 10s reaching around $3,000-5,000 or more. Even well-centered but lower graded copies still trade hands for $500-1,000 given how Bonds went on to rewrite the MLB home run record book.

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Rickey Henderson Rookie Card: Widely considered one of the best pure leadoff hitters and baserunners in baseball history, Rickey Henderson’s rookie card is another highly coveted piece from the bountiful rookie class of ’89 Upper Deck. Like Bonds, Henderson was already an established impact player by his second season even while still young. His aggressive baserunning style and eye-popping stolen base totals made him a fan favorite. Near pristine PSA 10 examples of his rookie card have recently traded above $1,000 while even well-centered mid-grade copies still sell for a few hundred in today’s market. With Rickey’s HOF playing career and electric personality, interest has endured for this pivotal rookie card.

Cal Ripken Jr.: As the hard-nosed All-Star shortstop and iron man of the Baltimore Orioles franchise, Cal Ripken Jr. was already well on his way to Cooperstown by 1989. His flagship Upper Deck card highlights his excellent all-around skills with a sharp close-up photo. Ripken’s steady and inspirational leadership made him a favorite of both fans and teammates. Today, high grade Ripken cards remain quite scarce and valued over $1,000 despite being common inclusions in wax packs three decades ago. His status as one of the most respected players ever has kept collectors hunting pristine copies of this powerful 1989 oddball issue.

Nolan Ryan Express Postcard: As one of the short printed “SP” parallels in 1989 Upper Deck, the Nolan Ryan Express Postcard stands out as an exceptionally rare and desirable oddball issue. Featuring the “Ryan Express” hurling a pitch with full windup, it has all the sharp action photography that made Upper Deck cards stand out in this pre-internet era. Only a small handful are believed to exist in pristine mint condition today. At recent auctions, ungraded Express Postcards in amazing shape have sold above $10,000 given Ryan’s legend and the extreme rarity of this beautiful parallel issue. It stands among the true crown jewels within the entire ’89 Upper Deck set.

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Don Mattingly Spit Take Card: As both a visual curiosity and candid snapshot, the oddity of the Don Mattingly “Spit Take” card secured its place as one of the defining short prints from 1989 Upper Deck. The action photo catches Mattingly mid-spit during an at-bat, a humorous moment frozen in time on the otherwise reserved cardboard. Only around 50 are believed to exist today across all known grades. In ungraded “raw” condition, Spit Take Mattinglys have traded hands well above $2,000 due to their outside-the-box subject matter and confirmed ultra-low print run making each card an important historical oddity.

Roberto Alomar Rookie Card: Though not quite as heralded as junior counterparts Griffey or Bonds, Roberto Alomar’s slick fielding skills and contact hitting ability made him a star in his own right. His rookie card captures him coming out of his swing wearing the classic early 90s Padres uniform. While not quite reaching four-figure values just yet, high grade Alomar rookies remain tough to find and trade between $300-700 given his excellent 10+ year career and Gold Glove caliber defense at second base. Both collectors and Orioles/Blue Jays fans have continued to drive interest in this sneaky valuable RC over three decades later.

Dave justice Rookie Card: Hailing from Turner Broadcasting’s hometown team the Atlanta Braves, Dave Justice immediately impressed with prodigious power from the right side of the plate as a raw rookie. His smooth lefty swing was featured on a sharp action photo on his highly sought 1989 Upper Deck issue. While not quite in the same stock as Griffey or even Bonds, pristine Justice rookie cards can still reach the $500-800 sales range given his respectable 17-year MLB tenure that included a 1996 World Series title with the Yankees. Regional collectors in particular prize this Atlanta oddball from the Braves glory years of the early 90s.

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Nolan Ryan 3000 K: Commemorating Ryan’s unprecedented achievement of strikeout number 3,000, this special parallel issue from 1989 Upper Deck stands among the most recognizable oddballs from the hallowed set. Featuring text embellishing his elite statistical accomplishment, it perfectly captures the excitement of the K milestone during Ryan’s later career renaissance with the Astros. Fewer than 50 are known to exist today across all grades. Ungraded copies in amazing shape have traded hands for $3,000-5,000 at recent auctions due to the extreme rarity and nostalgia evoked by “The Ryan Express” breaking yet another unbreakable record.

While the entire 1989 Upper Deck baseball issue offered jaw-dropping quality, innovation and rookie star power on every pack, the likes of rookie standouts Griffey Jr., Bonds, Henderson and more – along side rare parallels for Ryan, Ripken, Mattingly and others prove why it remains such a beloved set to this day. Prices continue climbing as the decades roll on and a new generation rediscovers the magic of the true “modern” rookie era immortalized so brilliantly by the trailblazing hobby pioneer Upper Deck. Beyond investments, the iconic photographs and historic moments frozen in time through these special cards will endure for collectors and fans for generations to come.

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