The 1989 baseball card season marked the height of the collector bubble of the late 1980s. Kids across the country were snatching up packs of cards at unprecedented rates, leading manufacturers like Topps, Fleer, and Donruss to mass produce cards to keep up with demand. While this glut of production would eventually lead to the market’s collapse in the early 1990s, it also created some of the most iconic and valuable rookie cards in the hobby’s history. Several rookies from the 1989 set went on to have Hall of Fame careers, making their rookie cards highly coveted by collectors to this day. Here are some of the most valuable baseball cards from the 1989 season:
Ken Griffey Jr. (Topps, Donruss, Fleer) – Widely considered the best rookie card of the modern era, Griffey’s rookie is the undisputed most valuable card from 1989. Griffey went on to have a legendary 22-year career that will land him in the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. He was also hugely popular as one of the first modern crossover baseball stars. PSA 10 Griffey rookies regularly sell for over $10,000, with some examples breaking records and selling for over $30,000. Even well-centered near-mint copies in PSA 8 or BGS 9 condition command prices well over $1,000.
Barry Larkin (Topps) – Larkin was one of the best all-around shortstops of his generation and like Griffey, a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer. That pedigree has made his Topps rookie card one of the most coveted in the hobby. High-grade PSA 10 Larkins have sold for over $5,000, with PSA 9’s reaching $2,000-$3,000 depending on centering and corners. Even lesser conditioned copies still sell for hundreds due to Larkin’s playing accomplishments and fame.
Greg Maddux (Topps) – Maddux is considered one of the greatest pitchers ever and dominated the majors from the late 1980s through the 2000s. His pinpoint control and consistency led to a record 355 career wins and 4 Cy Young awards. As one of the best rookie pitchers ever, Maddux’s Topps card achieves high prices in top condition. PSA 10’s have crossed the $3,000 mark, while PSA 9’s and BGS 9.5’s typically sell between $1,500-$2,000. Even well-centered PSA 8’s still change hands for $500-800.
Ken Griffey Jr. (Score rookies) – Along with Topps and the larger brands, Score also released Griffey rookie cards in 1989 that are highly valuable. The gold borderParallel rookie and special “Air Griffey” parallel that depicted Griffey jumping are especially sought after. High-grade examples of these scarcer parallel Griffey rookies regularly sell for $1,000 up to almost $3,000 in pristine condition. They’re considered key parts of any serious Griffey cardboard collection.
Barry Bonds (Topps) – One of the most dominant power hitters ever, Bonds’ star was just taking off in ’89 but his rookie cards remain popular. PSA 10 Bonds rookies cross the $1,000 threshold, with PSA 9’s ranging $500-800 on average. Copies in lower grades still trade actively for collectors looking to add an early Bonds to their collections.
Bobby Witt Jr. (Upper Deck, Fleer, Score) – Speaking of dominant rookie seasons, Witt burst onto the scene in 2022 by winning the AL Rookie of the Year award. While his rookie cards are from 2022-23 releases, his prospect cards from 1989 are already increasing rapidly in value as Witt’s star continues rising. High grades have doubled in price since 2022 and could continue appreciating for years as Witt establishes himself as a superstar.
Kirby Puckett (Donruss) – A key member of Minnesota’s 1987 and 1991 World Series title teams, Puckett’s infectious smile and batting prowess made him a fan favorite during his 12-year MLB career. His Donruss rookie remains a classic despite heavy production, with PSA 10’s reaching $500-700. Lower grades in the PSA 8-9 range offer Puckett rookies for under $200.
Sandy Alomar Jr. (Fleer) – A 10-time All-Star and 6-time Gold Glover at catcher, Alomar Jr. had a decorated career. His Fleer rookie has become increasingly sought after by Indians fans and Alomar enthusiasts, with PSA 10’s cracking four figures. Lower graded versions are readily available starting in the $200 range.
Candy Maldonado (Score) – A seldom discussed but hard to find rookie, Maldonado’s Score issue is actually one of the scarcest from 1989. The outfielder had limited success in his four MLB seasons, but his raw rookie card has developed a cult following. PSA 10 examples command prices up near $1,000 due to rarity despite Maldonado’s playing career.
Tom Glavine (Fleer Sticker) – One of the truly dominant pitchers of the 1990s, Glavine won 305 games, 2 Cy Youngs, and was a 5-time All-Star. His Fleer sticker rookie is affordable compared to the heavy hitters, but still sees solid collector demand. PSA 10’s often sell between $300-500, still a reasonable price for a Hall of Fame pitcher’s first card.
That covers some of the most iconic, valuable, and discussed rookie cards and star players from the massive 1989 baseball card season. Prices will likely continue escalating over time forcards portraying players who cemented legendary careers like Griffey Jr., Larkin, Maddux and Bonds. Meanwhile, recent breakouts by Witt could see his prospects cards from ’89 become major movers. overall, the ’89 crop features cards that remind us why it remains one of the true high-water marks of the modern trading card era.
