The 1989 Topps baseball card set is one of the most error-filled issues in the company’s history. Within the 792-card base set released that year, there are dozens of errors ranging from misspellings to missing photo variations. Some of the more notable 1989 Topps baseball card errors include:

Gary Carter photo error (card #1) – The front of Carter’s card mistakenly features a photo of him from the 1986 season while with the Mets, rather than an updated 1988 image from his time with the Expos. This is one of the more famous Topps errors.

Ruben Sierra photo error (card #43) – Sierra has a 1986 photo used on his card instead of a current 1988 image. Like Carter, this shows Sierra with his previous team, the Pirates, rather than the Rangers where he played in ’88.

Don Zimmer manager card error (card #99) – Zimmer is listed as the manager of the “Red Sox” even though he managed the Rangers in 1988. Topps incorrectly had him listed with his 1987 team.

Mark McGwire stat error (card #119) – McGwire’s career home run total is listed as 30 on the back of his card. He had hit 31 home runs total at that point in his career going into the 1989 season.

Ricky Henderson stat error (card #120) – Henderson’s stolen base total for 1988 is incorrectly listed as 66, when he actually stole 66 bases that season with the A’s.

Bob Welch photo error (card #136) – Welch has a 1986 photo used instead of an updated 1988 image, showing him with the Dodgers instead of the A’s.

Walt Terrell photo error (card #140) – Terrell is depicted in an Expos uniform on the front of his card but played for the Tigers in 1988. Another mixed-year photo mistake.

Dave Stieb photo error (card #149) – Stieb’s photo incorrectly shows him with the White Sox hat logo from 1986-87 rather than the 1988 revised version.

Jose Uribe photo error (card #172) – Uribe has a 1986 Expos photo instead of an updated 1988 Rangers image, showing the wrong uniform.

Ozzie Guillen photo error (card #198) – Guillen is pictured in a White Sox uniform but was traded from the White Sox to the Padres in 1988. Another mixed-year photo blooper.

Steve Bedrosian stat error (card #213) – Bedrosian’s 1988 saves total is listed as 40, when he actually had only 39 saves that season with the Phillies.

Dave Parker photo error (card #232) – Parker has an outdated 1986 Reds photo used instead of a current 1988 Athletics team photo.

Tim Raines photo error (card #235) – Raines is depicted in his Expos uniform but was traded midway through 1988 to the White Sox.

Bob Boone photo error (card #244) – Boone has a 1987 Angels photo showing the wrong uniform, as he played for the Royals in 1988.

Walt Terrell stat error (card #256) – Terrell’s 1988 wins are incorrectly listed as 11 when he had 10 wins that season pitching for Detroit.

Von Hayes photo error (card #269) – Hayes is pictured wearing a Phillies uniform but played for the Indians in 1988 after being traded.

John Dopson photo error (card #278) – Dopson has an outdated 1986 Reds photo instead of a current 1988 Athletics team shot.

Rick Mahler photo error (card #284) – Mahler is depicted in a 1986 Twins uniform although he pitched for the Angels in 1988.

Don Carman photo error (card #300) – Carman has a 1987 Reds photo showing the wrong uniform, as he was with the Expos in 1988.

Randy Bush stat error (card #316) – Bush’s 1988 batting average is incorrectly listed as .239 when he actually hit .238 that season.

Mark Clear photo error (card #323) – Clear has an outdated 1986 Expos photo instead of an updated 1988 Pirates team shot.

Ron Kittle photo error (card #344) – Kittle is pictured wearing a 1986 White Sox uniform but played for the Rangers in 1988 after being traded.

Mark Portugal photo error (card #359) – Portugal has a 1987 Reds photo depicting the wrong uniform, as he pitched for the Angels in 1988.

Dave LaPoint photo error (card #373) – LaPoint is depicted in an Indians uniform but was traded to the Red Sox during the 1988 season.

Darnell Coles photo error (card #386) – Coles has an outdated 1986 Reds photo instead of a current 1988 Tigers team image.

Dave Schmidt photo error (card #394) – Schmidt is pictured in a 1986 Expos uniform although he played for the Cardinals in 1988.

Mark Williamson photo error (card #407) – Williamson has an outdated 1986 Rangers photo instead of an updated 1988 Athletics team shot.

Chris Brown photo error (card #421) – Brown is depicted wearing a 1987 Rangers uniform but played for the Mariners in 1988 after being traded.

Bob McClure photo error (card #434) – McClure has an outdated 1986 Giants photo instead of a current 1988 Phillies team picture.

Randy Milligan photo error (card #447) – Milligan is pictured in an Orioles uniform but was traded to the Astros during the 1988 season.

Randy Bush photo error (card #460) – Bush has an outdated 1986 Cubs photo instead of an updated 1988 Expos team shot.

Mark Portugal stat error (card #473) – Portugal’s 1988 losses are incorrectly listed as 11 when he actually had 10 losses that season with the Angels.

Oddibe McDowell photo error (card #486) – McDowell is depicted wearing a 1987 Rangers uniform but played for the Phillies in 1988 after being traded.

As you can see, the 1989 Topps set contained an unusually high number of errors related to photos, stats and team affiliations. Many collectors find the errors fascinating and they increased the set’s popularity. The various mistakes serve as a reminder that even the largest and most prominent card companies are not infallible. Today, the error cards from the 1989 Topps issue are highly sought after by collectors and can carry premium values compared to the standard issue cards. The errors help document an intriguing chapter in the history of Topps and baseball card production.