The 1989 Score baseball card set was released at the tail end of the junk wax era during which the scarcity and demand for modern sports cards had drastically declined. Like most sets from this period, production numbers were extremely high which led to cards holding little monetary value for most of the past 30 years. With the current resurgence of interest in vintage sports collecting, 1989 Score cards have gained more appreciation from enthusiasts.
The set totals 792 cards and features every major league player as well as managers and coaches. Design-wise, it has a simple yet classic look with each player photographed against a white background in their team’s uniforms. Player names and positions are listed at the top with career stats on the bottom. The front of the card also includes the team logo and yellow and black borders. On the reverse, more stats are provided as well as a short biography for each player.
Among the most notable rookie cards featured in the 1989 Score set are Barry Larkin, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas. While none have achieved mega-star status like some cards from prior decades, they remain highly sought after by collectors interested in Hall of Fame players from that era. Maddux’s and Glavine’s rookie cards in particular hold solid value since both went on to have phenomenal pitching careers and are now enshrined in Cooperstown.
In terms of key seasoned veterans, the ’89 Score set includes icons like Nolan Ryan, Wade Boggs, Rickey Henderson, and Tony Gwynn who were all still performing at an elite level. Ryan’s card stands out as one of his last in an Angels uniform before signing with the Texas Rangers. Boggs and Henderson continued racking up impressive batting stats with Boston and Oakland respectively. And Gwynn was in his prime as one of baseball’s best contact hitters as a Padre.
Aside from star players, the set also commemorates some notable events and milestones from the 1989 MLB season. For instance, Roger Clemens’ card acknowledges his record-tying 20 strikeout performance against Seattle that year. Don Mattingly’s recognizes he won his first batting title with the Yankees. And Nolan Ryan’s mentions he set the all-time strikeout record, which was a major pitching achievement at the time.
While majority of the cards hold negligible monetary value today, there are some that command higher prices. For example, rookie gems like Frank Thomas, Greg Maddux, and Barry Larkin in gem mint condition can fetch $50-150 each. The same goes for star veterans should their cards grade very nicely. Most average conditioned common cards can be collected or purchased for under $1-5 depending on the particular player.
In addition to starring major leaguers, the 1989 Score set also features several star Negro League legends with cards like Josh Gibson, James “Cool Papa” Bell, and Smokey Joe Williams. Including icons of the segregated Negro Leagues preserved an important part of baseball history for collectors. These cards in particular tend to carry more significance and demand from enthusiasts of the historic Negro Leagues.
While produced in overwhelming numbers, the 1989 Score baseball card set is one that many vintage collectors still appreciate today for showcasing the last golden era before skyrocketing player salaries and business factors eroded the hobby. Keys like rookie superstars, Hall of Fame veterans, and commemorative milestone moments make it a release that continues finding an audience decades later as retro sports collectibles regain popularity. With clean conditioned copies of stars still affordable, it remains an accessible vintage set for growers of the pastime to explore players from when they were kids in the late 1980s.
