The 1989 Topps baseball card set is notable for featuring some of the biggest rookie cards of the late 1980s. The ’89 Topps rookie class includes several future Hall of Famers and longtime MLB stars. This set remains popular with collectors decades later due to the star potential of its rookie players.
One of the most valuable 1989 Topps rookie cards is Ken Griffey Jr. Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, Griffey was one of baseball’s most exciting young stars when he debuted with the Seattle Mariners in 1989 at just 19 years old. His smooth left-handed swing and exceptional defense in center field made him a fan favorite from the start. The Griffey Jr. rookie card has appreciable from collectors since its release and regularly ranks among the highest valued cards from the 1980s. In pristine condition, a PSA 10 Griffey Jr. ’89 Topps RC has sold for over $10,000.
Another notable rookie in the ’89 Topps set is Barry Larkin. The smooth-fielding shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds had a decorated 19-year career that landed him in the Hall of Fame. Larkin was the keystone of Cincinnati’s “Nasty Boys” teams in the early 90s that won division titles. His sweet lefty swing was tailor-made for hitter-friendly Riverfront Stadium. Larkin wasn’t a household name as a rookie in ’89 like Griffey, but his career achievements still make his rookie card a key piece for collectors. A PSA 10 Larkin sells for around $500-1000 depending on the market.
Two decorated pitchers had their rookie cards in the 1989 Topps set – Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson. Both would go on to have Hall of Fame careers characterized by overpowering stuff and precision control. As a rookie with the Chicago Cubs in ’89, Maddux showed flashes of his intimidating control but had not yet developed his trademark pinpoint command. He remains one of the greatest control pitchers in MLB history. Randy Johnson’s rookie card depicts “The Big Unit” in a Seattle Mariners uniform, before he developed into arguably the most dominating lefty of all time later in his career after being traded. A PSA 10 of either the Maddux or Johnson rookie fetches $300-500.
Another household name from the ’89 Topps rookie class is Dennis Eckersley, but not for his playing career. “Eck” was already an established closer with several 20-save seasons under his belt when the card was issued during his stint with the Boston Red Sox. He would go on to achieve closer immortality with the A’s a few years later. Eckersley’s rookie card holds nostalgia value but isn’t as expensive as stars who were true rookies that year. Still, a pristine copy can sell for $100-200.
Mark Grace had one of the more productive careers of the position players featured as rookies in 1989 Topps. The slick-fielding first baseman was a mainstay in the Chicago Cubs lineup throughout the 1990s. Grace played 16 years in the bigs and won the National League batting title in 1998. As a rookie, he didn’t post huge numbers but showed promise with his batting eye and glove work. A PSA 10 Grace rookie card can be acquired for $30-50.
Two corner infielders who had brief but productive MLB runs appeared in their rookie forms in ’89 Topps – Carlos Baerga and Gary Sheffield. Baerga broke out as a speedy and contact-oriented second baseman for Cleveland in the early 90s, making two All-Star teams. Sheffield slammed his way to 509 home runs and 2689 hits over 22 seasons, though off-field issues and conflicts with managers shortened his prime years. Both players had high expectations as rookies that they lived up to, at least for a few years. Near-mint copies of their rookies can be found for under $20.
The 1989 Topps set also featured the rookie cards for pitchers Orel Hershiser, Doug Drabek, and John Smiley. All three showed promise early but had uneven MLB careers. Drabek won the 1990 NL Cy Young with the Pirates in a breakout season. Hershiser’s success came before the ’89 rookie after his record-setting 1988 season led LA to a World Series title. A standout collegiate player, Smiley failed to live up to his top prospect billing. Despite brief MLB tenures, these pitchers remain of mild interest to collectors when they pop up.
The 1989 Topps baseball card set holds considerable nostalgic and monetary value for collectors decades later thanks to the star power and Hall of Fame careers of rookies like Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Larkin, Greg Maddux, and Randy Johnson. The investment potential of their pristine rookie cards is exceptional compared to sets from other eras. Even lesser known ’89 rookies hold affordable nostalgia for fans of 1980s baseball cards and provide a peek into careers of the past. The legendary rookie class of ’89 ensures this Topps set stays a keystone in the hobby.
