The 1989 Topps baseball card set was one of the most iconic releases of the late 1980s. While not as valuable as some previous years, it contained rookie cards and memorable photography of many baseball greats. Let’s take a closer look at the 25 most valuable and noteworthy cards from the set.
#25 – Ozzie Smith (card #96)
The Wizard was in his prime in 1989, coming off a season where he led the National League in steals and put up another Gold Glove season. This card features a closeup photo of Smith with his glove outstretched. It’s a classic portrait of one of the best defensive shortstops ever.
#24 – Dwight Gooden (card #105)
Doc Gooden was just 24 in 1989 but his star was fading after early dominance. He posted a 4.17 ERA that season but was still one of the most famous players in baseball. This card shows Gooden mid-windup in his Mets uniform.
#23 – Jose Canseco (card #77)
Canseco had just come off his Rookie of the Year and MVP season in 1988, establishing himself as the face of Oakland’s Bash Brothers. The flashy slugger could be seen flexing on this card, showing off his large physique that helped smash 40+ homers in back-to-back years.
#22 – Kent Hrbek (card #256)
The hometown hero of the Twins, Hrbek anchored Minnesota’s lineup in the late 80s. This card depicts a smiling Hrbek proudly wearing his Twins jersey during a successful period for the franchise. It remains a popular regional card.
#21 – Eric Davis (card #246)
Though injury problems would soon hamper his career, Davis was among the game’s emerging stars in 1989 following back-to-back 20-20 seasons for the Reds. His card shows smooth plate coverage and exciting athleticism that made him a fan favorite.
#20 – Roger Clemens (card #181)
The Rocket was in the early part of his historic career with the Red Sox in 1989, coming off an MVP season and heading towards the first of his seven Cy Young awards. He can be seen windmilling a fastball on this intimidating card photo.
#19 – Barry Larkin (card #534)
Larkin’s rookie card featured him as the hot new prospect for the Reds’ middle infield. He wouldn’t disappoint, emerging as one of the game’s top all-around shortstops throughout the 1990s and winning MVP honors in 1995 for Cincinnati.
#18 – Gregg Jefferies (card #491)
Jefferies was one of the top prospects in baseball as he prepared to make his MLB debut with the Mets in 1989. His sweet swing and potential 5-tool talent led to lofty comparisons. This card gets bonus points for being one of his early issue cards.
#17 – Bobby Thigpen (card #584)
Thigpen stole the show in 1990 by setting the single-season saves record with 57. But his dominance was previewed the year before in his rookie card, when he established himself as Chicago’s new closing option out of the bullpen.
#16 – Mark McGwire (card #225)
Before the home run chases, McGwire was one of the game’s top young sluggers as an Athletic. In 1989, he slammed 33 homers and played in his only All-Star Game to date. This card portrait featured the musclebound first baseman in his prime years.
#15 – Bo Jackson (card #331)
Arguably the greatest athlete of all time, Jackson was still splitting time between baseball and football in 1989. But he was already a huge draw for the Royals thanks to his otherworldly athletic feats. His classic sideways stance can be seen on this defining card.
#14 – Darryl Strawberry (card #386)
Strawberry was a frequent All-Star for the Mets during their late 80s success. His prodigious power is encapsulated on this card, which shows him wound up and unleashing towards the outfield seats at Shea Stadium.
#13 – Nolan Ryan (card #264)
At age 42, Ryan was still overpowering hitters as the independent contractor of the Texas Rangers. His record 7 no-hitters would eventually be eclipsed, but ‘The Ryan Express’ remained a must-see attraction for fans in 1989 as he neared retirement.
#12 – Cal Ripken Jr. (card #90)
Ripken was on his way to breaking Lou Gehrig’s iconic Iron Man streak, having not missed a game since 1982. In 1989, he put up another All-Star caliber season for the evolving Orioles. This card depicted the dependable shortstop at the heart of Baltimore’s lineup.
#11 – Kirby Puckett (card #311)
Puckett delivered a mammoth World Series performance to lead the Twins to the 1987 title. By 1989, he was the clear star and fan favorite in the Twin Cities. His electric smile and bat flip can be seen making this card one of the set’s most cheery.
#10 – Jose Canseco & Mark McGwire (card #1)
In commemorating Oakland’s young core, Topps made Canseco and McGwire the featured athletes on the very first card in the set. It served as a prelude to the Bash Brothers’ dominance of the late 80s and hinted at more fireworks to come from the A’s tandem.
#9 – Ozzie Smith ( Traded / card #559)
Beyond his main issue card, Topps included “Traded” subsets highlighting players who had changed uniforms. This card documented The Wizard’s midseason move from St. Louis to the Padres, kicking off the sunset of his career. It remains a key piece in any Ozzie PC.
#8 – Nolan Ryan (Traded / card #561)
Like Smith above, Ryan’s iconic move from one Texas team to another was memorialized here. It serves as an important transitional card during the final act of Ryan’s legendary career throwing fastballs for the expansion Astros.
#7 – Wade Boggs (card #519)
Mr. Red Sox himself, Boggs was in the prime of his hitting prowess for Boston’s late 80s contenders. His refined swing mechanics are on full display in this classic card that captures the model of consistency at the plate.
#6 – Roger Clemens (Traded / card #589)
Capturing baseball’s most famous trade of the era, Clemens’ move from the Red Sox to Blue Jays was a shocker. It preceded his first Cy Young award north of the border in Toronto. Considered one of the defining “Traded” cards from the set.
#5 – Ken Griffey Jr. (card #1)
Though just a rookie in 1989, Junior’s immense talents were already evident. Topps recognized his potential by including him in the flagship set’s first-ever Rookies subset. A precursor to eventual stardom and one of the most valuable modern-era rookie cards available.
#4 – Rickey Henderson (card #500)
The base stealer extraordinaire, Henderson was in his prime producing during Oakland’s return to contention. This card highlighted the dynamic leadoff man who broke Lou Brock’s stolen base record and remained must-see TV on the bases every game.
#3 – Ozzie Smith (card #1)
Considered one of the most iconic cards in baseball history, placing The Wizard on the very first card in the set established him as the standard at shortstop. Over 30 years later, it’s still widely recognized as one of the most classic baseball photos ever captured.
#2- Barry Bonds (card #1)
As the featured rookie in Topps’ inaugural Rookies subset, Bonds’ enormous abilities were becoming apparent. This pivotal card served as an early window into what would become one of the game’s all-time great careers, which had only just begun in Pittsburgh.
#1 – Ken Griffey Jr. (Rookies / card #151)
While various 1989 Topps Griffey cards hold value, none compare to the true Griffey rookie many covet in their collections. As the centerpiece of the landmark Rookies subset, it became one of the most iconic modern rookie cards releasing a soon-to-be superstar to the masses.
In summarizing, the 1989 Topps set showed flashes of the future while honoring baseball’s iconic past. Filled with HOF talent and some of the sport’s most renowned photos, it remains a beloved release among collectors. Featuring rookie cards of future MVPs like Griffey, Bonds, and Maddux, it also served as an early window into coming eras of baseball excellence. For these reasons, 1989 Topps retains its stature as one of the most important and valuable standard issues in the hobby.
