The 1989 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. Issued during baseball’s steroid era, the ’89 Topps set featured many stars who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers as well as some players whose careers were tainted by performance enhancing drug use later on. The design features bright primary colors and action shots of the players. For collectors and fans of 80s/90s baseball cards, the 1989 Topps set holds a special place.
The set includes 792 total cards covering all 26 major league teams at the time. Some of the biggest stars to be featured included Ken Griffey Jr., Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Rickey Henderson, and Nolan Ryan. Griffey’s rookie card in particular is one of the most sought after and valuable cards from the entire decade. Mark McGwire also had his rookie card in the set a year before he’d hit 49 home runs in 1987, foreshadowing his dominance in the late 90s home run chase.
In addition to future Hall of Famers and stars, the set also included players who would later have their careers tainted by PED use such as Jose Canseco and Kirby Puckett. Canseco’s card holds an eerie foreshadowing as one of the first to publicly admit steroid use in baseball. The set also included players who were approaching the end of excellent careers like Steve Carlton and Reggie Jackson. For fans and collectors, flipping through the ’89 Topps set offers a fascinating glimpse into the roster of late 80s MLB.
The design features a primarily yellow, red, and blue color scheme with all players shown in action photos in bright, primary colors. The team logo and player’s name/stats run vertically along the right side of the card. At the bottom is the Topps logo and copyright information. While a fairly basic and traditional design compared to some elaborate sets from the late 80s, collectors appreciate the bold colors and classic look. The photos also do a great job of capturing the energy and skill of the players.
In terms of rarity and value, the 1989 Topps set contains several keys cards that command high prices. Ken Griffey Jr’s impressive rookie card is one of the most in-demand from the entire decade, regularly fetching thousands of dollars in top condition. Mark McGwire’s rookie also holds significant value. Other valuable rookie cards include Gregg Jefferies, Gary Sheffield, and Bobby Thigpen. Stars like Clemens, Henderson, Smith, and Ryan also have valuable base cards to collectors. The short print cards like the Boston Red Sox team card are also very rare.
In terms of overall condition and survival rate, the ’89 Topps set holds up relatively well compared to other 1980s issues. The cardboard stock was of good quality and most cards survived in at least playable condition after 30+ years. As with any older set, finding high grade gems of stars and key rookies will cost a premium. The set has maintained popularity with collectors and fans drawn to the classic look and roster of players from baseball’s steroid era. For anyone who collected or watched the sport in the late 80s, flipping through the ’89 Topps cards is a real nostalgia trip.
Whether being pieced together as a young collector in 1989 or acquired as a vintage set years later, the 1989 Topps baseball card release remains a highly regarded set that transports fans back to an exciting era of the game. The roster featured future all-time greats and household names as well as some players who would later be linked to PED controversies. Key cards like Griffey Jr, McGwire and others retain huge collector value. With its traditional design, bright colors and action shots, the ’89 Topps set endures as one of the most memorable and complete snapshots from that period in baseball history.
