The 1989 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. While it may not be as renowned as the classic 1952 Topps or 1957 Topps sets, the ’89 Fleer cards hold a special place in the history of the hobby and contain several highly sought after rookie cards that can fetch big money for collectors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key 1989 Fleer cards that hold significant value in today’s market.
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card: Widely considered the crown jewel of the ’89 Fleer set, Griffey’s rookie is the most valuable card from the set. In pristine near-mint to mint condition, examples can sell for thousands of dollars. A PSA 10 Gem Mint Griffey rookie has sold for over $25,000 before. Even well-centered copies in raw near-mint to mint condition without grading can sell for $500-$1,000. Griffey went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie card remains one of the most iconic in the hobby due to his popularity and on-field success.
Greg Maddux Rookie Card: While not as well-known as the Griffey, Maddux’s rookie is still a key card from the set worth a significant amount in high grades. A PSA 10 of his ’89 Fleer rookie has sold for over $3,000 before. Even PSA 9 Excellent and BGS 9 examples can sell for $500-$1,000. Maddux would go on to have a stellar career winning 4 Cy Young Awards and establish himself as one of the best pitchers of his generation.
Roberto Alomar Rookie Card: Alomar’s rookie is the third most valuable card from the ’89 Fleer set behind Griffey and Maddux. A PSA 10 Gem Mint Alomar rookie has sold for over $1,500 before. PSA 9s in the $300-$500 range are more common. Alomar was a 12-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner during his career.
Frank Thomas Rookie Card: While not quite as acclaimed as the three above, Thomas’ rookie is still a key card worth a decent amount in top grades. A PSA 10 has sold for around $800 before. PSA 9s can sell in the $150-$250 range. Thomas went on to have one of the best and most productive careers of any designated hitter winning two MVP awards.
Other Notable Rookies: The ’89 Fleer set also featured the rookie cards of players like Moises Alou, Tom Glavine, and David Wells. While not worth as much as the headliners above, high grade versions of these rookie cards can still hold value in the $50+ range depending on the player and condition. Alou, Glavine, and Wells all went on to have solid big league careers of varying lengths and accomplishments.
Short Prints: In addition to the star rookies, there are a few short print cards in the ’89 Fleer set that command premium prices due to their rarity and demand. The most notable are the Ken Griffey Jr. short print (#109SP) and the Frank Thomas short print (#231SP). A PSA 10 of either of these short prints could sell for $1,000+ depending on recent sales comps. Even lower graded copies still hold value due to their scarcity in the set.
Star Veterans: The ’89 Fleer set also featured cards of established veteran stars who were in the prime of their careers or nearing the end of Hall of Fame tenures. High grade versions of cards like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Nolan Ryan, and Rickey Henderson can still sell for $50+ depending on the player and condition. These veteran stars remain popular with collectors.
Condition is king when it comes to the value of all the key cards from the ’89 Fleer baseball set. The prices mentioned above are largely for PSA/BGS graded gems or raw near-mint to mint copies. Heavily played or low grade examples of even the star rookies discussed may only be worth $5-10 raw. Maintaining the cards in the best possible condition is important to realize top dollar. The ’89 Fleer set endures as one of the most iconic of the late 80s due to its star rookies like Griffey, Maddux, and Alomar who went on to have Hall of Fame careers. High grade examples of their rookie cards as well as other notables will remain highly sought after and valuable for discerning collectors.
