The 1989 Fleer Update baseball card set was released as the third major set of the year, following Topps and Donruss. Fleer had become the third major baseball card manufacturer in 1986 and released their first Update set in 1987 as a way to issue cards of players who were traded or had notable accomplishments after the regular sets were printed. The 1989 Fleer Update continued this tradition and featured 144 total cards with several key rookies and stars in new uniforms from mid-season trades and call-ups.
Some of the most notable rookie cards in the 1989 Fleer Update set included Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners, Gregg Olson of the Baltimore Orioles, and Gary Sheffield of the Milwaukee Brewers. Griffey had one of the most anticipated rookie cards of the late 80s after being called up in early June and immediately making an impact with his power and defensive skills in center field. His card would become one of the most valuable modern rookie cards ever issued. Olson emerged as the Orioles closer and earned 33 saves as a rookie, while Sheffield was a top prospect who was called up in July and showed why with his elite power and hitting ability.
In addition to rookie standouts, the 1989 Fleer Update also captured several impact players in new uniforms thanks to midseason trades. Perhaps most notably, the set featured Dave Stewart’s first card as a member of the Oakland Athletics after being acquired from the Texas Rangers in May. Stewart would help lead the A’s pitching staff to the 1989 World Series title. Other new uniform cards included Dennis Eckersley (Boston), Walt Terrell (Atlanta), Mark Davis (San Diego), and Alvin Davis (Cleveland).
Beyond new players, the 1989 Fleer Update also included “Update” cards for veterans who were having breakout or bounce-back seasons. For example, the set featured cards of Will Clark (Giants), Bo Jackson (Royals), and Barry Bonds (Pirates) after each put up All-Star caliber numbers. Clark was in the midst of his best power season, Jackson was showing why he was one of the game’s most exciting players, and Bonds was establishing himself as perhaps the best all-around player in baseball in 1989.
In terms of design and production, the 1989 Fleer Update cards largely replicated the look of the company’s main set from earlier in the year. The fronts featured vertical player photos with team logos at the top and player names/positions at the bottom. Statistics on the back included career batting and pitching lines as well as season stats through around the All-Star break. As was common for Fleer at the time, the card stock was thinner than competitors Topps and Donruss. Overall condition of the set is generally a bit poorer than the flagship issues due to the thinner stock and the fact Update sets saw less overall production and collector attention upon initial release.
When it came to chase cards and insert sets within the 1989 Fleer Update, the biggest hits for collectors included the Kenny Rogers no-hitter card commemorating his July 1989 perfect game and the “Fleer Futures” insert set highlighting top prospects like Griffey, Frank Thomas, and Larry Walker. The Rogers no-hitter card was one of the earliest special season accomplishment cards issued. And the Futures insert set of 15 cards gave a glimpse at the next wave of young stars. Other short print and serially numbered parallel cards added to the excitement of the hobby at the time in trying to complete sets.
In the years since its release, the 1989 Fleer Update set has grown in esteem due to the star power and future Hall of Famers it features as rookies or in new uniforms. Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie remains one of the most iconic of the modern era. Other stars like Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, Dennis Eckersley, and Will Clark all had defining seasons in 1989 captured in the Update. Combined with the insert sets and chase cards, it became a highly collected set at the time and has retained collector interest since. Prices for star rookie cards and serially numbered parallel versions have risen steadily. For historians of 1980s/90s baseball cards and the players/teams of that era, the 1989 Fleer Update is a standout annual set.
The 1989 Fleer Update was a landmark baseball card set that utilized Fleer’s update formula to great effect by documenting breakout rookie seasons, midseason trades, and statistical milestones. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr. and Gary Sheffield took on added legacy in the decades since. The inclusion of chase cards like the Kenny Rogers no-hitter only added to the excitement of the release. When considering the star players, memorable uniforms, and insert sets it featured all these years later, the 1989 Fleer Update remains one of the most historically noteworthy annual update issues in the hobby. Its cardboard snapshots of that MLB season continue to be prized by collectors and historians of 1980s/90s baseball.
