The 1989 Score baseball card set was a significant release that featured many Hall of Famers and stars from that era. While it may not be one of the most valuable sets overall, there are several key cards that collectors seek out and command premium prices today. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top cards from the 1989 Score baseball card lineup and what they are worth in the today’s market.
One of the most coveted rookie cards from the 1980s is the Ken Griffey Jr. card found in the 1989 Score set. Widely considered one of the best players of his generation, Griffey was just starting to break out in 1989 as a 19-year-old with the Seattle Mariners. His smooth left-handed swing and athletic defensive skills in center field made him a fan favorite. In top graded gem mint condition, Griffey’s rookie now easily commands over $1,000. Even inlower graded near mint to mint condition, it still fetches $200-500 based on recent auction sales. The Griffey rookie is the undoubted crown jewel of the 1989 Score set in terms of value.
Another hugely valuable rookie from 1989 Score is the Barry Bonds card. As one of the greatest power hitters and all-around players ever, Bonds was just starting his storied career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His rookie card prices are driven up by his elite abilities combined with the limited print run of Score cards compared to other sets from that era like Topps and Donruss. A PSA 10 grade gem mint Bonds rookie can sell for $3,000 or more while a lower PSA 8 grade still brings in several hundred dollars. If the condition is right, this card is definitely a key one for collectors seek out in the 1989 Score set.
Moving beyond the rookies, the standout Hall of Fame and star player cards from 1989 Score hold value as well. A mint condition Kirby Puckett card usually sells in the $100-200 range given his popularity and success as a six-time All-Star for the Minnesota Twins. The Nolan Ryan Express card, showing the legend pitching for the Texas Rangers at age 42 also fetches $100-200 due to his iconic status. The Ozzie Smith backflip card, highlighting his outstanding defense at shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals, is a fan favorite that sells for $75-150. The Ricky Henderson base card, known for his baserunning prowess with the Oakland A’s, can sell for $50-100 depending on condition.
There are also some unique parallel and insert cards from 1989 Score that add value. The Frank Thomas Foil Focus parallel card, which has an iridescent foil treatment, typically sells for $30-50. The Walter “Sweet Swingin'” Johnson Legacy insert, honoring one of the early Negro League stars, sells for $50-100. The Nolan Ryan 1989 Score Season Highlights insert focusing on his record 7th career no-hitter sells for around $75-125. These special parallel and insert cards connected to star players are ones that keen collectors target in the 1989 Score set beyond the base rookie cards.
In terms of team subsets, there are a few that stand out more than others from a value perspective today. The Brooklyn Dodgers team cards featuring icons like Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider sell for $25-50 each depending on the player featured. The Montreal Expos team cards can sell for similar $20-40 range since they had such talented young players like Tim Raines, Andre Dawson and Bryn Smith starting to emerge. The Chicago Cubs team cards focused on youngsters like Greg Maddux, Shawon Dunston and Ryne Sandberg tend to sell in the $15-30 range as well. These complete team cards add depth to a collector’s 1989 Score baseball card set.
While the 1989 Score set as a whole may not be considered the most valuable release, it certainly contains some true gems in the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds that can sell for thousands in top grade. Additional stars like Kirby Puckett and Nolan Ryan along with unique inserts also provide collectable cards that hold value today. For dedicated collectors of 1980s and early 90s basketball cards, hunting key cards from the 1989 Score lineup is definitely worth the effort. Staying vigilant at card shows or combing through auction sites can unearth these valuable cards that make the set worth exploring over 30 years later.
