The 1989 baseball card season is considered one of the most iconic years for collectors. Several star players had legendary seasons and careers in 1989 that made their rookie cards highly sought after by collectors. The most valuable 1989 baseball cards are typically those of star players who went on to have Hall of Fame careers. Some of the top cards from the class of ’89 include:
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card: Widely considered the crown jewel of 1989 cards, Griffey’s rookie is the undisputed most valuable from the set. Griffey went on to have a legendary 22-year career and be elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2016. His sweet lefty swing and effortless athleticism made him a fan favorite. In pristine gem mint condition, his upper deck rookie card can fetch six figures. Even well-worn near mint copies trade hands for thousands.
Greg Maddux Rookie Card: Another obvious choice is Greg Maddux’s rookie from 1989 Donruss. Maddux had one of the best pitching careers in MLB history, winning 355 games with impeccable control and placement. He’s also a first-ballot Hall of Famer. High grade Maddux rookies can sell for over $10,000, showing his card’s strong pedigree despite more rookie cards printed compared to Griffey.
Barry Bonds Rookie Card: 1989 marked Barry Bonds’ true rookie season after playing sparingly in 1986 and 1987. Bonds went on to shatter the all-time home run record and win a record seven NL MVP awards. There’s debate over the validity of some of his later career stats, but his athletic talent and peak performance is undeniable. Top condition examples of his 1989 Upper Deck rookie have been known to sell for over $5,000 in auction.
Tom Glavine Rookie Card: Another decorated 300-game winner and Hall of Famer, Tom Glavine’s rookie is highly valuable from the famous 1989 Fleer set. Clean near mint or better copies can fetch $1,000-2,000 depending on exact condition and recent comps. Glavine’s smooth lefty style made him a model of consistency throughout his dominant career.
Bobby Thigpen Rookie Card: A bit of a deeper sleeper from ’89 compared to the other names, Bobby Thigpen had a monster season in 1990 that made him a household name. He set the then single-season record for saves with 57 playing for the Chicago White Sox. Higher grade versions of his 1989 Fleer Update rookie card have sold for $500-1,000 at times showing collectors’ interest in his breakout rookie season.
Those are usually considered the five most valuable baseball cards from 1989 in terms of longevity, career achievements, and sustained strong collector demand. Of course, other star rookies like Chipper Jones also hold value, but their vintage cardboard hasn’t appreciated quite to the level of Griffey, Maddux, Bonds, Glavine, and Thigpen over the decades. Condition is absolutely critical for high-end value with these elite ’89 rookies, many of which can bring five figures or more for pristine mint examples protected all these years in plastic.
