The 1989 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable issues from the late 1980s. Produced during Barry Bonds’ rookie season and Ken Griffey Jr.’s breakout campaign, the ’89 Topps set featured many young stars who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers. Several factors contribute to the high values certain ’89 Topps cards now command.
Perhaps the most coveted and expensive card from the set is the Griffey Jr. rookie. Widely considered one of the most visually appealing rookie cards ever due to its vibrant photography showing “The Kid” swinging, Griffey’s rookie has escalated greatly in price over the past decade. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples routinely sell for over $10,000 today. Even well-centered near-mint copies in the PSA 8-9 range will fetch $1,000-$3,000.
Griffey’s stardom, iconic status in the game, and tragic early retirement due to injuries have all fueled interest in his rookie card. At just 19 years old, Griffey flashed five-tool talent and made his major league debut look effortless. For collectors, it’s a prime example of capturing a future Hall of Famer at the very start of what promised to be a legendary career.
Another highly valuable rookie from the ’89 set is Barry Bonds. As Griffey’s card has risen greatly in value, so too has Bonds’ despite his tarnished reputation from PED usage later in his career. In a PSA 10 Gem Mint grade, a Bonds rookie can sell for over $3,000. Even well-centered PSA 8 examples go for $500-800 today.
Bonds went on to shatter the all-time home run record and win a record seven MVP awards. So for collectors, his rookie card holds significance as an early glimpse of the player who would become arguably the greatest slugger in baseball history. The ’89 Topps design also features a nice action shot of Bonds at the plate.
In addition to the rookies of Griffey and Bonds, several other young stars and future Hall of Famers from the late 1980s have valuable ’89 Topps cards:
Gregg Maddux rookie (PSA 10s around $1,000): One of the greatest pitchers ever who won 4 Cy Young Awards.
Tom Glavine rookie (PSA 10s $400-600): Another ace who racked up 305 wins and 2 Cy Youngs.
Randy Johnson rookie (PSA 10s $300-500): “The Big Unit” struck out over 4,700 and won 5 Cy Youngs.
Frank Thomas rookie (PSA 10s $250-400): “The Big Hurt” won 2 MVPs and hit .301 lifetime.
Ken Caminiti rookie (PSA 10s $150-250): 1996 NL MVP who helped popularize weight training.
Chuck Knoblauch rookie (PSA 10s $100-200): Talented 2nd baseman who led league in hits in 1991.
David Justice rookie (PSA 10s $75-150): Power-hitting OF who made 5 All-Star teams for Braves/Yankees.
Jeff Bagwell rookie (PSA 10s $100-200): Perennial All-Star 1B who led NL in home runs in 1994.
Moises Alou rookie (PSA 10s $50-100): Excellent OF who hit over .300 7 times and made 3 All-Star teams.
Omar Vizquel rookie (PSA 10s $50-100): Sure-handed SS who won 11 Gold Gloves and made 3 All-Star teams.
Dennis Martinez rookie (PSA 10s $50-100): Durable starter who won 245 games over 18 seasons in MLB.
Gary Sheffield rookie (PSA 10s $50-100): Powerful OF/3B who hit 509 HR and made 5 All-Star appearances.
Bobby Bonilla rookie (PSA 10s $40-80): Versatile player who hit .279 career and made 6 All-Star teams.
Mark Grace rookie (PSA 10s $40-80): Consistent 1B who hit .303 lifetime and won 3 Gold Gloves.
While not rookies, several star veterans from the late 1980s have valuable ’89 Topps Update and high-series base cards as well:
Nolan Ryan (#481, PSA 10s $300-500): All-time strikeout king in one of his final seasons before retirement.
Rickey Henderson (#479, PSA 10s $150-250): Iconic leadoff hitter and base stealer nearing career milestones in ’89 Topps.
Wade Boggs (#480, PSA 10s $100-150): Perennial .300 hitter chasing 3,000 hits at the time.
Ozzie Smith (#478, PSA 10s $75-125): Wizardly defender in the prime of his career making diving plays.
Mike Schmidt (#477, PSA 10s $75-125): Hall of Fame 3B closing in on 500 career home runs.
George Brett (#476, PSA 10s $50-100): Future Hall of Famer still raking near the end of his career for KC.
Tony Gwynn (#475, PSA 10s $50-100): Hitter extraordinaire who would go on to bat .338 lifetime.
Don Mattingly (#474, PSA 10s $40-80): Powerful Yankees 1B in his prime years before back injuries.
Robin Yount (#473, PSA 10s $40-80): Versatile star nearing 3,000 hits and 2,000 games played.
The 1989 Topps baseball card set remains a highly coveted vintage issue for collectors due to its array of star rookie cards, future Hall of Famers, and memorable veterans from the late 1980s. Cards of Griffey, Bonds, Maddux, and other elite players continue to gain value as their on-field careers become more revered with time. For investors, ’89 Topps provides opportunities in both ungraded and mint-condition copies of some of the most iconic names ever to play the game.
