The 1989 Upper Deck baseball card set was the second release from the upstart Upper Deck company that was shaking up the baseball card industry. Like the pioneering 1988 set before it, the 1989 cards continued Upper Deck’s trend of using high quality card stock and photography to make the cards stand out from the competition. The set size was also significantly smaller than what was typically released by Topps and Donruss at the time, consisting of only 264 total cards. This exclusivity added to the appeal for collectors and helped Upper Deck cards maintain a strong resale value.
The biggest stars of the late 1980s MLB season were well represented in the checklist. Perhaps the most coveted card was #1, which featured Oakland Athletics slugger Jose Canseco on the front. Canseco was coming off an MVP year in 1988 when he led the majors with 42 home runs and 124 RBI. His powerful performance helped drive interest in the sport and he was one of the early superstars that helped propel baseball’s renaissance in popularity during that era.
Another card near the top that received plenty of attention was #4, New York Yankees star Don Mattingly. As the first baseman for baseball’s most iconic franchise, Mattingly was a fan favorite and his slick swing made him must-watch for collectors. #6 featured Oakland A’s pitcher and Cy Young winner Dave Stewart in an action shot, showcasing Upper Deck’s superior photography. #7 had Chicago Cubs slugger Andre Dawson, who would go on to win the NL MVP that year. These exciting players at the front of the set immediately drew fans in.
In addition to position players, Upper Deck also highlighted many of the top pitchers of 1989 through standalone cards early in the checklist. #10 was dedicated to Boston Red Sox ace Roger Clemens, who was coming off back-to-back Cy Young seasons and was cementing his status as one of the most dominant hurlers of his generation. #13 was reserved for Detroit Tigers flamethrower Jack Morris, who would lead the American League in wins that season. #17 put Los Angeles Dodgers fireballer Orel Hershiser in the spotlight after his record-setting 1988 season capping with a Cy Young and World Series MVP.
Upper Deck also made sure to include cards honoring some of the game’s all-time greats who were still making contributions in 1989. #23 highlighted San Diego Padres third baseman and future Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, who was on his way to a .311 batting average and another Gold Glove season. #28 went to Kansas City Royals star George Brett as he wrapped up his Hall of Fame career. For younger collectors, these cards connecting them to generations past were very appealing.
Moving through the checklist, Upper Deck mixed in rising young stars who were just starting to make names for themselves among the veteran greats. #34 celebrated Oakland A’s slugging outfielder Rickey Henderson, who was coming off a season where he stole 67 bases and scored 115 runs. #62 was for Chicago White Sox pitcher Alex Fernandez, who burst onto the scene as a 21-year-old and threw over 200 innings with an ERA under 3.00. #75 gave attention to Toronto Blue Jays outfielder and 1987 rookie of the year Joe Carter. These emerging talents added excitement for what the future may hold.
Upper Deck took the opportunity with certain cards to pay tribute to franchise legends and memorable moments in baseball history. #52 honored New York Yankees catcher / manager Yogi Berra within the franchise he was synonymous with. #87 looked back on Philadelphia Phillies great Steve Carlton surpassing 3,000 career strikeouts. #91 gave a nod to Baltimore Orioles icon Brooks Robinson, who remained with the franchise as a coach at that point. #238 spotlighted Dodgers great Sandy Koufax, even though he had long since retired. These nostalgic cards let collectors celebrate the past.
There was also plenty in the 1989 Upper Deck checklist focused on starring teams from that season. #69 featured the Oakland Athletics’ “Bash Brothers” Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco, who would hit 158 home runs between them that year. #114 put the Toronto Blue Jays’ powerful lineup in the spotlight as they won the division. #222 highlighted the San Francisco Giants pitching staff anchored by Rick Reuschel and would emerge from an unexpected playoff berth. #259 celebrated the Chicago Cubs ́ team photographic card, marking their resurgence into playoff contention. Highlighting breakout squads kept collectors invested in the current MLB landscape.
Clearly, Upper Deck put tremendous thought and care into crafting a checklist that would please both casual fans and the most diehard collectors. Along with sharply designed photography and top-notch production values, this curated selection of players ensured the 1989 Upper Deck issue would remain a premier set that maintained significant demand for years to follow. It set the standard that the upstart company would follow to continue disrupting the sports card industry and take collectors cards to new heights. Even decades later, the 1989 Upper Deck baseball cards remain a highly regarded release that encapsulated the excitement of that MLB season.
