The 1989 Score rookie card class is considered one of the strongest and most valuable in baseball card history. The rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Greg Maddux, Frank Thomas and Barry Larkin highlighted the set. Many other notable rookies from the 1989 season also had their rookie cards issued in Score that year like Randy Johnson, Mo Vaughn, and Jeff Bagwell. While players don’t always pan out as rookies would predict, the 1989 Score set established itself as a premier vintage of baseball cards to collect due to the star power and accomplishments of the featured rookies over their careers.
The 1989 Score set totaled 792 cards and had distinctive black bordered design with team logos and colors accenting each card front. The back of the cards contained ample player stats and bios. Of most interest to collectors were the 55 rookie cards included throughout the base set. Some of the top rookies and their corresponding card numbers in the 1989 Score set included #3 Frank Thomas, #5 Gregg Maddux, #12 Barry Larkin, #17 Randy Johnson, #113 Mo Vaughn, and #184 Jeff Bagwell. Each of these players went on to have exceptional major league careers and their rookie cards from the venerable Score brand and year have become highly valued in the hobby.
Gregg Maddux’s rookie card #5 is considered the crown jewel of the 1989 Score set. Maddux went on to author a Hall of Fame career compiling a 355-227 record with a 3.16 ERA over 23 seasons, winning 4 career Cy Young awards. His dominance and consistency has made his rookie card one of the most expensive from the 1980s. PSA 10 examples often reach into the thousands of dollars at auction. The pristine classic design and capturing Maddux as an early career Braves pitcher added to its historical significance and appeal to collectors.
Another top rookie from ‘89 was Frank Thomas, known as the “Big Hurt,” who had an outstanding 19 year career mostly with the White Sox. Thomas smacked 521 home runs and drove in 1,484 runs while posting a career .301 batting average. He won back-to-back American League MVP awards in 1993-1994 launching the value of his rookie card #3. High grade Thomas rookies can sell for well over $1000. The card is especially sought after for its rarity in PSA 10 condition.
One of the game’s all-time great middle infielders, Barry Larkin provided excitement at shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds for 19 seasons amassing over 2,400 hits. Larkin’s rookie card #12 from 1989 Score recognized him early in his career as he developed into a 12-time All-Star and 3-time Gold Glover who led the Reds to a World Series title in 1990. While not as rare as the Maddux or Thomas, a PSA 10 Larkin rookie commands several hundred dollars on the open market.
Power pitcher Randy Johnson emerged in the late 1980s with the Montreal Expos and his rookie card #17 from Score is one of his earliest. “The Big Unit” would go on to rack up over 300 wins and rank third all-time in strikeouts during a Hall of Fame career split between several teams. Johnson’s rookie remains a key piece for Expos and early 90s baseball card collectors.
While third baseman Mo Vaughn never achieved the same consistent success as players like Thomas or Bagwell, his rookie season with Boston hinted at bigger things. Vaughn clubbed 26 homers in ‘89 captured in his #113 Score rookie card. He would go on to win the AL Most Valuable Player Award in 1995 after blasting 39 homers and driving in 126 runs leading the Red Sox offense. Vaughn’s card features him early in his BoSox tenure and has gained popularity with collectors over time.
Lastly, 1989 Score introduced collectors to Astros stud Jeff Bagwell through his rookie card #184. Bagwell enjoyed a fantastic 15-year career primarily with Houston where he was selected to 4 All-Star games and won the 1991 NL Rookie of the Year award. He smacked 449 career homers and drove in over 1,500 runs collecting a World Series title with Houston in 2005. While not the rarest, Bagwell rookies are highly regarded for representing the prime of his career patrolling first base for the Astros’ Killer B’s squads.
Beyond the star quality rookies, the 1989 Score set featured many other talented young players entering their first seasons in the big leagues like Sandy Alomar Jr., Mark Guthrie, and Kevin Maas that collectors still seek out. The vintage design, career achievements of the featured rookies, and overall depth of rookie talent make 1989 Score one of the most historically significant baseball card releases. While raw cards won’t make anyone rich, full complete high grade example sets can sell for thousands due to the prominent rookie class and pop culture nostalgia surrounding 1980s cardboard. The rookies of Maddux, Thomas, Larkin, Johnson, Vaughn and Bagwell are all hallmarks of a truly elite sports card year and their cards from 1989 Score remain hugely popular with vintage collectors.
