The 1989 Topps baseball card set marked the 28th year of production for the venerable Topps brand. While not considered one of the most valuable vintage sets, several high-profile rookie cards and variations from the 1989 Topps baseball collection have established themselves among the priciest individual cards on the market. Let’s examine some of the most expensive 1989 Topps cards that collectors seek and what has contributed significantly to their escalating valuations over the past few decades.
Perhaps the single most coveted and valuable card from the entire 1989 Topps series is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely regarded as one of the best all-around players of his generation, Griffey was already showcasing his impressive five-tool talents as a 19-year-old rookie for the Seattle Mariners in 1989. His bubbly smile and smooth left-handed swing made him an instant fan favorite and his iconic Topps rookie card became one of the most recognizable in the hobby. In gem mint condition, Griffey’s 1989 Topps RC now routinely auctions for well over $10,000. The card’s immense popularity, Griffey’s storied 22-year MLB career, and limited surviving high-grade copies continue to drive prices higher and higher for this true star-studded rookie debut.
Another hugely important 1989 Topps card that consistently fetches huge sums is the Frank Thomas rookie. As with Griffey, Thomas wasted little time making his all-star caliber talents known in the major leagues. His mammoth home runs and ability to spray line drives from gap to gap for the Chicago White Sox starting in 1990 captured the attention of fans and collectors alike. The Thomas rookie is significantly rarer in pristine condition than Griffey’s, which has further intensified demand. When graded mint copies come up for auction, they now change hands for $4,000-$7,500. Both players went on to have Hall of Fame careers, immortalizing their rookie cards as among the elite in the modern era.
While Griffey and Thomas rookie cards set the 1989 Topps series standard for elite rookies, a couple key variations have also cracked the most valuable list. First is the ultra-rare Ken Griffey Jr. error card missing the “Jr.” Father Ken Griffey played in the majors as well, so this variant without the distinguishing “Jr.” appended created confusion on card #90. Only a tiny number are known to exist, making mint condition copies truly one-of-a-kind treasures. In 2016, one such error Griffey card realized a jaw-dropping $85,000 at auction. The exceedingly low population combined with Griffey’s fame makes this a true benchmark card.
Another notable 1989 Topps variation is the Brock for Brock Traded error on card #356. Like many trade deadline deals, the Minnesota Twins dealt star slugger Dave Winfield to the New York Yankees for prospects. However, Topps mistakenly showed Winfield in a Yankees uniform on the proper Winfield Traded card while Brock was shown on card #356 instead of Winfield. Again, the surreal rarity due to Topps’ botched card production significantly impacts value. A PSA-graded mint 9 Brock error sold in 2011 for $11,000, a hefty sum for any ’80s cardboard outside of heavyweight rookies. As errors go, this ranks among the most significant of the era.
While rookies and anomalies fuel the highest prices for the 1989 Topps set, a couple key veteran stars have maintained steady collector interest as well. Future Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg’s card #480 has long attracted Cubs fans and Sandberg aficionados. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples in pristine condition now sell in the $1,200-$2,000 range. Fans also covet the #473 Kirby Puckett card, representing the Twins legend at the height of his powers. A PSA 10 Puckett can sell for over $800 today. These veteran mainstays lack the modern rookie cachet but remain dependable rarities for ’80s card investors.
While not considered the most valuable set from the 1980s overall, the 1989 Topps baseball card release contains several true blue chip rookie cards and production anomalies that have catapulted individual cards to six- and even seven-figure prices. Headlined by the iconic Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas rookies, but also bolstered by unprecedented error variants, the 1989 Topps cards have yielded countless hobby treasures. Three decades after their initial pack pulls, a select few from this otherwise average vintage series continue to capture the imaginations of collectors worldwide and reign as pristine benchmarks for the entire collecting community.
