The 1989 baseball card season featured some highly sought after rookie cards that have increased significantly in value over the past 30+ years. Some of the most valuable 1989 cards to look out for include:
Ken Griffey Jr: Considered one of the best players of his generation, Griffey’s rookie card from 1989 Fleer is arguably the most valuable card from that year. In gem mint condition, it can fetch over $10,000. Even well-worn copies still sell for hundreds due to Griffey’s legendary career and status as a fan favorite.
Barry Bonds: Another superstar player, Barry Bonds’ rookie card came in 1989 Upper Deck and has appreciated greatly since. Pristine mint condition copies have sold for upwards of $6,000. Most graded copies are in the $1,000-3,000 range depending on the grade. Bonds went on to smash the career home run record.
Greg Maddux: One of the top pitchers of the 1990s, Maddux won 4 Cy Young awards. His rookie card came in 1989 Upper Deck and high grade copies can sell for over $1,000 now. Even well-played copies still have value at $200-500 given Maddux’s legendary control and consistency.
Frank Thomas: Nicknamed “The Big Hurt”, Thomas was one of the most feared power hitters of the 1990s. His rookie card from 1989 Bowman is very valuable in top condition, earning over $1,000. Most graded examples will still sell for $300-800.
Roberto Alomar: A versatile second baseman, Alomar had a long and productive career winning multiple Gold Gloves. His Topps trading card rookie from 1989 is valued around $500-1,000 in pristine condition due to his excellent all-around play and popularity.
Tom Glavine: The ace of the Atlanta Braves pitching staff in the 1990s, Glavine won 2 Cy Young awards. His rookie card from 1989 Fleer is valued at $200-500 depending on condition for the solid left-hander with excellent control.
Jeff Bagwell: Emerging as one of the top offensive first baseman in the 1990s and 2000s, Bagwell’s rookie card from 1989 Fleer Update has also appreciated nicely to the $300-800 range for gem mint copies due to his underrated all-around play.
Other valuable 1989 rookie cards worth mentioning include Kenny Lofton, Randy Johnson, Mo Vaughn, and Brian Jordan among others. Team cards are also collectible from this season like the 1989 Upper Deck Nolan Ryan Team Card which features a photo of Ryan that has never reappeared on a card before. This rare team card can earn upwards of $1000. In general, 1987-1991 baseball cards were some of the most popular releases ever produced with massive print runs. While abundant in circulation, the best conditioned exemplars of star player rookie cards hold significant collector value.
Beyond rookie cards, the 1989 Upper Deck set is also a very valuable release due to its superior photography, production quality and coveted horizontal design which was pioneering for the time. Complete near-mint sets have sold for over $15,000. Key individual cards like the Ken Griffey Jr. or Mark McGwire commons from the flagship Upper Deck set can reach $100-300 each in high grades as well. The oddball 1989 Mother’s Cookies set also gained a cult following for its unusual design and has become quite collectible in recent years with individual cards valued near $20-100 based on condition and player.
The 1989 season brought many all-time great players to the MLB like Griffey Jr., Bonds, Maddux, Thomas and Bagwell and their rookie cards have experienced tremendous appreciation sine. Both the Upper Deck and Bowman brands also gained popularity and prestige from their strong 1989 offerings led by the influential Upper Deck release. This makes cards from 1989 a vital year for baseball collectors focus on when considering long-term investments or completing seminal sets from the late 80s/early 90s boom period. With over 30 years of heritage, 1989 maintains its stature as one of the most important seasons in the entire hobby.
