The Topps Big Baseball card series from 1989 represented a bold step for the vintage baseball card maker. Known primarily for its traditional-sized cards since the1950s, Topps saw an opportunity to capitalize on the growing popularity of larger premium card products by releasing oversized 3.5” by 5” cardboard cards for the 1989 season. The first series contained a total of 132 cards and focused on featuring current Major League players and managers from that year. While not quite as large as the oversized “Upper Deck” cards that were also popular at the time, the Big series offered collectors significantly bigger images and statistics compared to standard Topps offerings.
Topps aggressively marketed the new Big Baseball line through magazine advertisements and special packaging to draw interest. Each wax pack contained only 4 cards instead of the usual 5-10 found in normal packs. This scarcity combined with the flashy super-sized presentation helped generate excitement among collectors. The move to larger cards also provided Topps the ability to showcase more photography and creative card designs than ever before. Background textures, animations, and additional statistics expanded what was possible on a standard card. For fans of 1980s baseball and collectors seeking a premium product, the inaugural Big series delivered premium cardboard thrills.
The star-studded roster of players featured in the 1989 Topps Big Baseball 1st series reads like a who’s who of stars from that late 1980s MLB season. Leading the way is perhaps the most famous card from the set, the Kenny Lofton rookie card. As one of the premier switch-hitting center fielders of his era, Lofton’s dazzling athleticism and speed made him an instant fan favorite in Cleveland. His rookie Big card portrays the spectacular talent that would lead to six All-Star appearances and over 600 stolen bases for his career. Other notable rookies included in the set were Daryl Boston, Gregg Olson, and John Olerud among others.
Veteran superstars dominating the sport in 1989 also received their due with impressive Big cards commensurate with their abilities. A mix of legendary names, perennial all-stars in their primes, and soon-to-be Hall of Famers populate the roster of the 1st series. Kirk Gibson’s intimidating glare and determined batter’s stance grace his card after winning NL MVP in 1988. Nolan Ryan’s card fittingly shows the flamethrower in full windup at age 42 as he neared the end of a record-setting career. Ken Griffey Sr. receives recognition alongside talents like Don Mattingly, Dwight Gooden, and Andre Dawson among many more.
Additional highlights from this seminal 132-card set include recognizable managers like Tommy Lasorda of the Dodgers and early 1990s World Series champion Jim Leyland of the Pirates. Special attention cards exist for traded players shifting teams like Gary Gaetti going to the Twins from the Cardinals. Unusual parallels also occur like an Ozzie Smith card mistakenly depicting him as a Padre instead of the correct Cardinals uniform. Overall production and condition varies considerably across the 1989 Topps Big series 1 like many vintage issues. But for those in pristine mint condition, valuable rookie hits, and uniquely rare variations, high prices can be found for these oversized pieces of cardboard nostalgia.
Beyond its contemporary stars and quality photography, the legacy of the 1989 Topps Big Baseball 1st series lies in foreshadowing where the hobby was heading. Upper Deck had debuted just a year prior and was gaining rapid popularity due to impressive graphics and premium feel. The oversized rookies in particular from this Topps set hold significance as some of the final “traditionally” sized cards issued for emerging talents before the 1990s explosion in the sportscard market. Kenny Lofton, John Olerud, and others became part of a new wave of MLB stars amidst changes sweeping the industry.
While not quite as iconic or valuable as what followed, the 1989 Topps Big Baseball 1st series remains a nostalgic connection to a bygone baseball era for many collectors. Its pioneering large size, sharp images, and roster of talents defined its time. Getting Trout or Mickey Mantle in a pack of Bigs was a thrill akin to pulling a star-studded rookie today. Over thirty years later, the excitement endures for finding pristine preserved copies of these oversized cardboard glimpses into 1980s diamond moments. For fans and collectors of the baseball card medium, the Topps Big set looms large as an innovative experiment that helped spur the premium relic and memorabilia revolution still going strong.
