The 1989 Topps Big Baseball card set was one of the most unique and sought after baseball card releases of the late 1980s. Comprising only 88 total cards, the 1989 Topps Big set stood out due to the massive oversized dimensions of each card. Measuring a whopping 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches, these cards were literally BIG in every sense of the word.
Topps released the first edition of their Big Baseball cards in 1988 and collectors went crazy for the supersized players on cardboard. Seeing the immense popularity of that initial set, Topps knew they had a potential goldmine on their hands and quickly got to work on producing a follow up set for 1989. While still maintaining the jumbo dimensions, the 1989 Topps Big checklist improved on the previous year’s release in several key ways.
For starters, Topps included far more star players in the ‘89 Big set than they did in 1988. Legendary names like Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Sandy Koufax, Nolan Ryan, Rod Carew and others all made their first and only Big Baseball card appearances in this set. Collectors were ecstatic to see icons of the past given the oversized treatment. Topps also ensured nearly every major active player from the 1988 MLB season received a Big card, providing a more comprehensive checklist overall.
Another upgrade was the addition of team logos directly on the front of each card. The 1988 Bigs only featured a basic Topps logo, making team affiliation unclear at a glance. But for 1989, logos of each player’s respective club was proudly displayed behind their image. This small change gave the cards a much sharper, finished look right off the bat. Topps even took the unique step of including team logos from past seasons if the player had moved clubs in their career.
The visual design of the ‘89 Big set was also enhanced significantly when compared to the inaugural year. More vivid colors popped off the large cardboard stock. Player photographs took up much more real estate than before and looked absolutely gigantic. Background colors coordinated to each team added another layer of style. But perhaps most noticeable was the removal of any border around the image window. This borderless design gave the photos an even greater sense of bigness.
On the statistical rear of each 1989 Topps Big card, fans received a treasure trove of info beyond just basic year-by-year stats. Lengthier career highlights and accomplishments were spotlighted. Personal tidbits and fun facts added some personality as well. The nostalgic “Did You Know?” sections provided cool snippets of baseball trivia. All of this exhaustive data got maximized on the supersized playing surface. Clearly, Topps aimed to create true ‘object cards’ that could be appreciated simply for their visual appeal, historical significance and information value – not merely as investments.
The enormous 5.5×8.5 size also afforded Topps the opportunity to get creative with several inserts within the base 1988 Topps Big set. Special oversizedLeader cards highlighted the top players at each position. Award-Winner inserts recognized different honors like MVPs and Cy Youngs. All-League Team and All-Star inserts provided a fun variation. And Topps even crafted mini checklists on outsized pieces of cardboard to tease the full roster. This assortment of inserts added variety and collector enthusiasm.
Perhaps most remarkably, Topps was able to complete their massive 1989 Topps Big Baseball project without sacrificing quality control. Card cutters managed to precisely cut out each of the 88 jumbo images flawlessly using high-tech equipment of the time. The fronts and backs aligned up seamlessly on every single oversized piece of cardboard produced. Glossy coating and sharp registration shows Topps took immense pride in the project. Decades later, examples still grade incredibly well due to the superior manufacturing standards.
When all was said and done, Topps delivered yet another monster hit with collectors on their 1989 Topps Big Baseball release. Not only did it improve upon the foundation laid by 1988, it also stands today as one of the most visually striking and historically significant baseball card sets ever made. While supplies of these mammoth cards dwindled quickly due to the colossal cuts, demand amongst fans has never ceased. As a result, prime 1989 Topps Big rookies and stars continue to fetch impressive prices to this day – a true testament to the iconic impact of this bold and beautiful baseball cardboard.
