The 1989 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable issues from the late 1980s. The set features stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, Wade Boggs, and Ozzie Smith. While the cards from this set hold far less value than vintage cards from the 1950s, certain high-profile rookie cards and stars from the ’89 Fleer set can still fetch impressive prices when graded and preserved in mint condition.
The biggest star and most valuable card from the 1989 Fleer set is the rookie card of Ken Griffey Jr. Widely considered one of the best all-around players of his generation, Griffey was already showing superstar potential as a 19-year-old with the Seattle Mariners in 1989. His rookie card, featuring him in the iconic Mariners teal uniform with his smooth left-handed swing, is the crown jewel of the set. In pristine mint condition, a Griffey Jr. rookie PSA 10 can sell for over $10,000. Even well-centered near mint copies in the PSA 8-9 range will demand prices of $500-2000. The card’s value is boosted by Griffey’s iconic status as well as the fact he is one of the most popular rookie cards from the junk wax era.
Another highly valuable rookie card from the ’89 Fleer set is the debut issue of Barry Bonds. Already showing his incredible power and patience at the plate as a 24-year old with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bonds went on to have one of the greatest careers in MLB history. His rookie PSA 10s can reach $3000-4000. Like Griffey, Bonds is a true icon of the game and his rookie remains highly sought after by collectors. Other rookie gems include a PSA 10 Kenny Lofton Cleveland Indians card worth $800-1000 and a PSA 10 Chuck Knoblauch Minnesota Twins rookie around $500-700.
For star veterans, the most valuable 1989 Fleer card is always Nolan Ryan’s Houston Astros issue. As one of the most dominant pitchers ever with a 100 mph fastball still in his 40s, Ryan memorabilia holds steady value. A PSA 10 of his ’89 Fleer card can reach $600-800. Another Houston issue, this time of Mike Scott, is also quite collectible given Scott’s 1986 NL Cy Young season. A PSA 10 of his ’89 Fleer sells for $300-500. For the Boston Red Sox, a PSA 10 Wade Boggs card reaches $150-250 given his prolific hitting career.
Other notables from the set include a PSA 10 Ozzie Smith St. Louis Cardinals “Wizard of Oz” defensive wizard shortstop card worth $150-250. For power hitters, a PSA 10 Jose Canseco Oakland A’s slugger card fetches $100-150. And for pitching legends of the era, a PSA 10 Nolan Ryan or Roger Clemens Houston Astros card can reach $75-150 depending on the pop of the specific player at auction.
In terms of team sets, the most valuable are generally considered to be the rookie cards of Griffey Jr. and Bonds for the Mariners and Pirates. But other desirable complete team sets include the Red Sox, Mets, Dodgers, and of course the dominant Oakland A’s of the late 1980s led by Rickey Henderson and Jose Canseco. On the other hand, sets for non-playoff teams like the Cubs, Phillies and Padres have less allure.
When examining condition, it’s crucial to note the 1989 Fleer set suffered from poor centering and surfaces that lead to scuffs during the junk wax era of mass production. As a result, gem mint PSA 10 examples are quite rare for any card in the set. Even PSA 9s in great shape command significant premiums. It’s not unusual for a PSA 9 Griffey Jr. rookie to still fetch $300-700 depending on the exact centering and corners.
While 1989 Fleer cards hold much less value than their 1950s predecessors, the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds remain highly sought after by collectors. When preserved in pristine condition, these rookie gems as well as stars of the era like Nolan Ryan can still sell for thousands. For the savvy collector, locating well-kept copies of these icons from the late 1980s remains a worthwhile pursuit.
