The 1989 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and sought after issues in the modern era of the sport. The checklist for the year featured major stars and rookie cards that remain highly valuable to this day. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the highlights and key details from the 1989 Topps baseball cards.
The set featured 792 total cards issued in wax packs, factory sets, and special subsets. The design featured a colorful graphic motif with team logos and colors accenting each player’s photograph. The backs featured career stats and bio information for each athlete. Some of the marquee names included on the ’89 Topps checklist were Jose Canseco, Roger Clemens, Rickey Henderson, Wade Boggs, Kirby Puckett, and Orel Hershiser.
Canseco’s card would prove to be one of the most sought after as he was coming off winning the American League MVP and leading the majors in home runs in 1988. His powerful performance helped usher in the new era of power hitting in baseball. Clemens and Boggs were also in the midst of hall of fame caliber careers. Puckett and Hershiser were fresh off leading their teams, the Twins and Dodgers, to World Series championships the prior season.
Rookies featured in the set that went on to have great careers include Barry Larkin, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Ken Griffey Jr. Griffey’s rookie is one of the most iconic and valuable cards ever issued by Topps. His rookie card has consistently been a best seller and holds a special place in the hearts of many collectors. Maddux and Glavine would team up in Atlanta to win multiple Cy Young awards and help the Braves dominate the 90s. Larkin was off to a stellar start in Cincinnati at shortstop that earned him Rookie of the Year honors.
The 1989 Topps set also featured several popular special subsets. The Stars of the Game subset highlighted 60 top players, two per team. The Turn Back the Clock subset honored past baseball greats with 30 cards in vintage uniform designs. The Tribute subset paid homage to retiring players like Mike Schmidt, Reggie Jackson, and Steve Carlton with embossed gold numbering on their cards.
The Traded set captured 38 players that were dealt to new teams during the 1988 season or in early 1989 before the cards went to print. Errors made their way into some Traded cards, listing the wrong new teams for players like Eric Show and Eddie Milner. These mistakes only added to the intrigue and collectibility of the subset over the years.
In terms of chase cards at the high end, Canseco’s card is one of the most in-demand from the ’89 run. A near mint condition Canseco fetches thousands of dollars based on its significance as a rookie and his breakthrough campaign. Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie continues to be a hot commodity as one of the most iconic cards ever. High grade Griffey rookies can sell for well over $10,000. Other high dollar ’89 cards include the Maddux, Glavine, and Larkin rookies as well.
The 1989 Topps baseball card set helped build passions of many collectors just reaching their childhood memorabilia craze years. While production numbers were high across the entire run estimated at over a billion cards, demand remains steady for this classic issue. Carefully preserved examples of stars, key rookies, and sought after subsets continue earning strong prices from enthusiasts to this day. The design, photography, and roster of notable names make the ’89 Topps checklist a true treasure trove commemorating one of sport’s most popular pastimes.
