The 1989 Topps baseball card set was released at the beginning of the 1989 MLB season and marked the 28th year Topps had the baseball card license. While not one of the most coveted vintage sets, there are several standout 1989 Topps cards that can hold significant value, especially in top grades. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the key 1989 Topps baseball cards worth money for collectors.
One of the most valuable rookie cards from the 1989 Topps set is Ken Griffey Jr’s card. Griffey was one of the most exciting young prospects coming into the 1989 season and lived up to the hype by winning rookie of the year. In a PSA 10 Gem Mint condition, Griffey’s rookie currently sells for around $2,000-3,000. Even in a PSA 9 Near Mint-Mint condition, it still commands close to $500-1,000. Griffey went on to have a Hall of Fame career and is one of the most popular players of all-time, making his rookie one of the key flagship cards for the 1989 Topps set.
Another rookie card that holds strong value is Gregg Jefferies’ card. Jefferies was one of the top prospects in baseball in the late 1980s and had a very productive rookie campaign in 1989 with the Mets. In a PSA 10, his rookie card sells in the $300-500 range. A PSA 9 will go for $100-200. Jefferies didn’t have the career some expected but his rookie is still coveted given the hype surrounding him as a prospect. For investors, both Griffey and Jefferies rookies represent solid holdings due to their pedigree and the strong demand from collectors.
In terms of star veterans, one of the strongest 1989 Topps cards worth money is Rickey Henderson’s card. As arguably the greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner in MLB history, Henderson remains one of the most collectible players. In a PSA 10 Gem Mint, his ’89 Topps card can sell for $400-600. Even a PSA 9 goes for $150-300 given Henderson’s Hall of Fame status. Another star player with a valuable 1989 card is Wade Boggs. As a perennial .300 hitter and batting champion, Boggs maintained a high collecting profile. His ’89 Topps gem in a PSA 10 will sell around $150-250.
Two other star veterans with strong 1989 Topps cards are Orel Hershiser and Kirby Puckett. Coming off his record consecutive scoreless innings streak and WS MVP in 1988, Hershiser was one of the game’s elite pitchers. His ’89 Topps card in a PSA 10 currently sells between $150-250. Meanwhile, Kirby Puckett’s ’89 Topps card holds value due to his Hall of Fame career and status as a hometown hero in Minnesota. A PSA 10 sells around $150 as well. Both Hershiser and Puckett maintained popularity with collectors well after their playing days, giving their ’89 cards lasting value.
In terms of oddball cards worth chasing, one of the true standouts from the 1989 Topps set is Nolan Ryan’s car sub-set card. As one of the most dominant power pitchers ever, Ryan’s cards always sell. But his ’89 card showing him in front of his customized car is one of the more unusual inserts in the set. In a PSA 10, it brings over $300. Even in a PSA 9 it sells for $100-200 given its scarcity and quirkiness. Another unique card is Roger Clemens’ base card, which has a factory miscut making it much thicker than a standard card. These error cards can sell for well over $100 in top condition given their rarity.
Of course, the true heavyweight cards from any vintage set are the short prints and rare parallel inserts. With 1989 Topps, one of the key short prints worth big money is Tony Gwynn’s card. Numbered to only 99 copies, it is incredibly scarce in high grade. A PSA 10 recently sold at auction for over $3,000. Another highly valuable parallel card is the gold foil parallel of Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie, which is even rarer than his base card. In a PSA 10, a gold foil Griffey rookie can sell for thousands. The fact these scarce parallels feature star players like Gwynn and Griffey makes them true blue chip investments for savvy collectors.
While not quite reaching the stratospheric prices of flagship sets like 1952 and 1957 Topps, there are still tremendous opportunities for profit to be found in high quality, desirable 1989 Topps cards. Rookies of future Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr and star veterans like Rickey Henderson, Kirby Puckett and Wade Boggs provide a very solid backbone of collecting and investing options. Meanwhile, error cards, unique inserts and truly rare parallel shorts prints can yield immense returns given the right grades and circumstances. For vintage baseball card investors, the 1989 Topps set deserves strong consideration.
