Ken Griffey Jr. is widely considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time and one of the most beloved figures the sport has ever seen. Known by his nickname “The Kid,” Griffey played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1989 to 2010 and was notable for his outstanding power and elite center field defense. He hit 630 home runs over his career, which places him seventh on the all-time home run list. Off the field, Griffey was also one of the most marketable stars in baseball thanks to his likable personality and flashy playing style.
Given Griffey’s status as a true icon of the game, it’s no surprise that his rookie cards from 1989 have become some of the most valuable in the hobby. Whenever a player achieves legendary status, their rookie cards tend to skyrocket in price due to their significance as the first trading card representation of that player. Griffey fit this mold perfectly with how beloved his career became. Several of his 1986-1990 rookie cards routinely sell for amounts well into the five and six figures now. Here’s a closer look at some of the most expensive known Griffey rookie cards that have been purchased over the years:
1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. #1 PSA 10 – $305,100
The 1989 Upper Deck Griffey rookie is considered the quintessential Griffey card and one of the greatest in all of sports card history. The card features a clean photo of Griffey in his Seattle Mariners uniform with no text overlays to detract from the image. Its design has held up remarkably well over the decades. In pristine mint condition with a perfect PSA 10 grade, Griffey’s Upper Deck rookie has shattered several auction records. In 2016, one copy sold for an astounding $305,100, making it one of the highest prices ever paid for a single baseball card. The card’s rarity, clean design, and subject all contribute to its immense value.
1989 Bowman Ken Griffey Jr. PSA 10 – $264,000
Widely considered the second most important Griffey rookie after Upper Deck, the 1989 Bowman issue is also highly coveted and valuable in a PSA 10 grade. Like Upper Deck, Bowman featured Griffey in his mariners uniform without text on the front. Its simpler design makes it very collectible as well. In late 2021, one PSA 10 example crossed the auction block at Heritage Auctions for a massive $264,000, just shy of the Upper Deck record. As with Upper Deck, finding a Bowman Griffey in perfectly centered, sharp PSA 10 condition is exceedingly rare, explaining its lofty price tag.
1989 Stadium Club Ken Griffey Jr. PSA 10 – $130,500
While not as iconic as Upper Deck or Bowman, the 1989 Stadium Club Griffey rookie also carries serious value, especially in gem mint condition. The card uses a unique horizontal design that stands out compared to other issues from that year. In March 2022, a lone PSA 10 copy was purchased for an eight-figure sum of $130,500 through Goldin Auctions. Condition is everything for Griffey rookies, and in a PSA 10 holder, even less heralded brands like Stadium Club can demand impressive 6-figure sums.
1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. PSA 9 – $68,700
Finding Griffey rookies in absolutely flawless PSA 10 grade is no small task, with the population reports from the major grading services reflecting their immense rarity. As a result, even high-grade near-mint examples still command sizeable prices. In October 2020, a 1989 Upper Deck Griffey that graded PSA 9, just shy of perfect, sold for an enormous $68,700 through Heritage Auctions. While not in the same league as a PSA 10, it still provided an outstanding return on investment for its consignor considering it’s not true mint condition.
1989 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. PSA 9 – $36,750
The 1989 Fleer rookie is often overlooked compared to brands like Upper Deck, Bowman and Stadium Club. Examples that grade well still carry value recognition of Griffey’s achievement. One such PSA 9 copy sold in August 2021 through Goldin Auctions for a more than respectable $36,750. While not in the stratosphere of the other top-graded issues, it demonstrated that even less heralded Griffey rookies can achieve impressive selling prices when they grade very nicely. Condition remains king when it comes to the hobby’s most coveted rookie cards.
In summary, Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie cards from 1989 are the holy grails for many serious baseball card collectors. Finding them in pristine, perfectly preserved condition is exceedingly rare and drives values to astronomical levels, with several different issues now selling in the high 5 and even 6-figure range. As one of the untouchable icons in the game’s history, interest in Griffey’s earliest cardboard is unlikely to wane. Condition census rarities can be considered worthwhile investments for savvy collectors looking to profit off the hobby’s biggest names.
