The 1989 baseball card season was one of the most exciting years in the modern era of the hobby. Led by rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr. and Ben McDonald, the 1989 offerings had something for collectors of all interests. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the most coveted and valuable cards from sets released that year.
One of the true heavyweight rookies of the decade was Griffey’s debut card in Donruss. Widely considered one of the most iconic rookie cards ever printed, Griffey’s smooth left-handed swing and effortless defense in center field immediately announced his arrival as a superstar. Highly sought after by collectors even back in 1989, Griffey rookies have only increased in value over time. Graded mint condition copies can fetch thousands of dollars today.
Another star-studded rookie class was featured in Topps, headlined by McDonald on the Orioles. A flame-throwing righty out of LSU, McDonald battled injuries but showed ace potential early in his career. He’s remained a key part of the hobby as collectors chase his coveted first Topps card. Dodgers shortstop Jose Offerman also had his rookie year in 1989 Topps, and his card remains a solid find for those completing sets from that vintage.
Score was among the more visually appealing sets of the late 80s. Featuring bold colors and creative photography, Score ’89 had arguably the best design of any base set that year. Cardinals speedster Vince Coleman had one of the most iconic cards in the set, depicted stealing a base in a blur. Cincinnati’s Chris Sabo also had a very recognizable rookie in Score, making spectacular plays at the hot corner. Both cards remain highly collectible today.
Upper Deck burst onto the scene in 1989 and immediately changed the baseball card landscape with its premium quality and focus on young stars. Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie card in the inaugural Upper Deck set is one of the true Holy Grails for collectors. Only about 1 in 10 packs contained a Griffey rookie back then, fueling intense chase for the card. Even in well-worn condition today, a Griffey UD rookie can sell for thousands. Dodgers pitcher Ramon Martinez also had a coveted rookie in Upper Deck that year.
Fleer was another venerable brand with a solid offering in 1989. Toronto’s Mark Eichhorn stood out with perhaps the most visually dramatic rookie card from that year’s Fleer set. Depicted windmilling a pitch, the card captured Eichhorn’s unique delivery and has remained a standout in the set over the years. Fleer also featured rookie cards for the Mets’ Dwight Gooden and David Cone, harkening back to the franchise’s mid-80s glory days.
While the big three brands of Topps, Fleer and Donruss dominated the baseball card landscape in the late 80s, smaller sets from manufacturers like Score and Upper Deck gained popularity among collectors. In 1989, Classic/4 Sport Studio released a 150-card set focused entirely on star players, past and present. The set featured various photographic techniques like sepia tone images and is considered a true work of hobby art. RCs for Bobby Witt and Gregg Olson were also highlights.
As the 1980s drew to a close, 1989 represented the last real gasp of the “junk wax” era before the industry crashed. But it also heralded the rise of premium brands like Upper Deck and the dawn of a new golden age of rookie cards. Loaded with future Hall of Famers and iconic designs, the ’89 season left a lasting mark on the hobby. For collectors three decades later, cards from sets like Topps, Donruss, Fleer and Score remain benchmarks in the modern era.
