The 1989 Upper Deck baseball card set was truly revolutionary and changed the hobby forever. As the first modern premium baseball card set, it featured glossy full color photographs, sharp detail and quality control that blew away the standard cards produced by Topps and Donruss at the time. Given its significance, many of the top rookies and stars from the 1989 season appear in the set and have grown exponentially in value over the past 30+ years. Here are some of the most expensive and sought after 1989 Upper Deck baseball cards on the modern market:
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card – Far and away the crown jewel of the 1989 Upper Deck set is the rookie card of Ken Griffey Jr. Widely considered one of if not the most iconic rookie card of all time, Griffey’s Upper Deck debut perfectly captures his immense talent and swagger at such a young age. In pristine mint condition, Griffey Jr. rookies routinely sell for well over $10,000. A PSA 10 Gem Mint example recently sold for nearly $30,000, cementing this card as one of the most valuable modern sports cards period. With Griffey’s legendary career and the legendary status of this rookie, demand will likely remain incredibly high.
Frank Thomas Rookie Card – While not quite on Griffey’s level of hype and acclaim, the rookie card of Frank Thomas is still extremely desirable as one of the premier power hitters of the 1990s. With his patented sweet swing and prolific home run total, “The Big Hurt” had one of the best rookie seasons in MLB history. Pristine PSA 10 Thomas rookies now sell in the $3,000-5,000 range but more affordable graded 9’s can still fetch $1,000+. Like Griffey, this card is proof of an all-time great player’s coming out party.
Greg Maddux Rookie Card – Maddux is arguably the greatest control/finesse pitcher of all-time and the 1989 Upper Deck set captured the start of his dominance. While not quite as flashy as position players, Maddux’s rookie has grown in stature and value due to his impeccable career numbers and skills. High-grade PSA 10 examples command $1,000 easily these days with 9’s still in the $400-600 range. A true long-term investment for any baseball card collector.
Barry Bonds Rookie Card – Perhaps the second most controversial yet prolific player of the 1990s after Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds’ rookie card remains a polarizing asset. Nonetheless, as one of the true five-tool talents the game has ever seen, Bonds had MVP-caliber seasons starting as a rookie. His Upper Deck debut still fetches $500-800 in PSA 9-10 condition despite lingering PED suspicions due to proven on-field dominance.
Roberto Alomar Rookie Card – While not quite in the class of Griffey or Thomas, Alomar developed into a sure-fire Hall of Famer at second base with glittering defense and a career .300 average. As such, his rookie is a premier shortstop/middle infield card from 1989 Upper Deck. High grades in the 9-10 range now sell for $300-500 long-term as a solid baseball PC holding.
Rickey Henderson Rookie Card – Already a dynamic talent and baserunning innovator by 1989, Rickey Henderson went on to break the stolen base record and prove arguably the best leadoff hitter ever. His Upper Deck rookie, while not his true debut, serves as a nice affordable piece for enthusiasts of the sport’s all-time stolen base king. Graded copies range $150-300 based on condition.
Ken Griffey Sr. Rookie Card – As the legendary father of “Junior,” Ken Griffey Sr.’s playing career was certainly nothing to scoff at either. A smooth outfielder who batted .296 over 16 seasons, Griffey Sr’s rookie provides intriguing parent-child duo potential. Higher grade examples have climbed to $150-250 territory in recent years.
Sandy Koufax Rookie Card – While not truly a “rookie” since he debuted in 1955, Upper Deck landed the rights to include the legendary lefty’s lone card in their groundbreaking ’89 set. Highly conditioned copies are a tough pull but show appreciation for one of history’s most dominant pitchers. Graded examples start at $200 based on the extreme rarity at hand.
Nolan Ryan Pitching Card – As one of two cards depicting the all-time strikeout king, nearly any Nolan Ryan card holds value. This action shot exudes his blazing fastball and ferocity on the mound. PSA 10’s reach $150-200 but abundant comparables keep higher grades affordable for collectors.
In summary, 1989 Upper Deck broke the mold and left an indelible mark on the sport itself through its classic photography and innovative design. Unsurprisingly, marquee rookies from the set like Griffey Jr., Thomas and Maddux have evolved tremendously in valuation. Even more established names like Henderson, Bonds and the legendary Koufax retain enduring relevance and appreciation decades later. With the hobby’s focus on quality encapsulation and preservation now more than ever, the long-term potential for such iconic ’89 UD cards remains extremely favorable.
