The 1989 baseball card season marked the end of an era for the hobby. Production was way down from the late 1980s peak as the market began to crash. Fewer sets were produced and print runs were much smaller compared to just a few years prior. While the 1989 cards may not carry the same cachet as the classic mid-80s sets, they can still hold value for collectors—especially for stars and rookies from that time.
One of the most notable things about the 1989 cards is the rookie class. Future Hall of Famers like Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas debuted in sets that year. Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie card is also from 1989 Donruss. While production numbers were lower overall, there were still plenty of these rookie cards printed compared to modern issues. As a result, most 1989 rookies can be acquired for relatively affordable prices graded gem mint. As the players’ careers progressed and they achieved great success, interest and demand for their rookie cards grew tremendously.
Greg Maddux’s rookie card from 1989 Fleer is a great example. In low grades, it can be found for under $10. But a PSA 10 example recently sold for over $1,000. The same is true for Tom Glavine’s rookie from Donruss. Low-grade common copies are inexpensive, but high-grade examples command four-figure prices. Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie Donruss card has also exploded in value over the years. Even in low grades, it sells for well over $100 now. In gem mint 10 condition, a Griffey rookie easily fetches thousands.
Another huge factor that drives prices for 1989 cards is the players’ modern day performance and career achievements. For example, Frank Thomas had one of the best and most productive careers of any hitter from the 1990s onward. His rookie card from 1989 Bowman has appreciated greatly because of his Hall of Fame career. Even well-centered near mint copies can sell for $50-100 now. High-grade PSA/BGS gem mint 10 Thomas rookies have sold at auction for over $2,000.
The 1989 Upper Deck set is also highly collectible and holds value well for key cards. The brand new Upper Deck set that year helped revive the hobby amid the market crash. It featured bright colorful photography on a higher quality cardboard stock that set it apart. Rated the best selling sports card set of all time, the 1989 Upper Deck cards remain iconic within the hobby. Star rookies like Frank Thomas and Ken Griffey Jr are highly sought after, as well as big name veterans like Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith, and Wade Boggs. Even common copies of these players in top-graded gem mint condition can sell for hundreds.
The 1989 Donruss set also retains collector interest due to its classic design and photography. This was the last Donruss issue before the brand lost its MLB license. Key rookies like Griffey and Glavine lead the charge in terms of demand and appreciation. But stars of the era like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Jose Canseco in high grades also hold significant value. A PSA 10 Barry Bonds from the 1989 Donruss set recently sold at auction for over $1,000.
While production numbers were down across the board for 1989, the Fleer set that year had one of the smallest print runs. Obtaining high-grade Fleer cards of stars is very difficult. The set is colorfully designed like its predecessors but features smaller photos on card fronts. Rookies Maddux and Thomas lead the way for demand. But stars of the day like Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Nolan Ryan are also highly collectible in top-grades due to rarity. A PSA 10 Boggs just sold for over $500 on eBay.
While the 1989 cards may not have the same allure as the classic mid-80s sets of the peak bubble era, they feature some of the most famous rookies and players in the hobby. Keys cards, especially in high grades, from sets like Upper Deck, Donruss, and Fleer that year can still hold tremendous value—often in the hundreds to thousands of dollars. The longevity and success of players like Griffey, Maddux, Glavine, and Thomas over their careers has elevated interest and prices for their iconic rookie cards from 1989. For savvy collectors, bargains can still be found in common copies or stars in lower grades as well.
