The 1989 Bowman baseball card set was released at the start of the 1989 MLB season and marked several notable events and players from that year. The set included cards for all 26 MLB teams at the time and featured many young stars and rookie cards that would go on to have Hall of Fame careers.
The 1989 season saw the debut of several talented rookies, many of which had their rookie cards included in the 1989 Bowman set. Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie card was one of the most sought after cards in the set. Griffey was called up late in the 1988 season and had a breakout rookie year in 1989, winning the AL Rookie of the Year award. His card is still one of the most iconic rookie cards in the hobby. Another star rookie was Gregg Olson, who had one of the best rookie seasons by a relief pitcher ever. His card from the 1989 Bowman set is also highly valuable today.
The 1989 Bowman set totaled 528 cards and had an unusual design compared to other sets that year. The borders were light blue with team logo shields in the corners. Player names were above the photos in thin, italicized font. The design gave the cards a classic, vintage baseball card feel. The photo quality and centering was also considered an upgrade over Topps and Donruss sets released that same year. This led the 1989 Bowman set to become a favorite among collectors, especially for its rookie cards and stars of the late 80s/early 90s.
Some other notable rookies in the 1989 Bowman set included Sandy Alomar Jr., Gary Sheffield, and Moises Alou. All three went on to have solid MLB careers. The set also included stars already established like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, and Ozzie Smith, who were among the best players in the league at that time. Randy Johnson, who would become one of the greatest pitchers ever, also had his second year card in the 1989 Bowman set as he was still developing in the Montreal Expos organization.
The 1989 season saw some historical events and milestones as well. The San Francisco Giants moved into their new stadium, Candlestick Park was renamed 3Com Park, and the Chicago Cubs celebrated the 100th anniversary of their franchise. Legendary players like Nolan Ryan and Don Sutton achieved career milestones. Ryan recorded his 5,000th strikeout while Sutton won his 300th game that year. Their accomplishment cards from 1989 Bowman are prized by collectors today.
In terms of value, the 1989 Bowman set had several keys cards that are in high demand. Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie card PSA 10 has sold for over $100,000. The Greg Olson, Gary Sheffield, and Sandy Alomar Jr. rookies also command thousands in high grades. Star cards of Bonds, Clemens, and Ozzie Smith can sell for hundreds as well. Even common cards of the set in high grades have value due to the classic design, photo quality, and talent featured from that era of baseball. The 1989 Bowman set endures as one of the most collectible and iconic releases from the late 1980s. It captured a great year of MLB along with the debut of future all-time great players.
The 1989 Bowman baseball card set commemorated an exciting season and featured the rookie cards of Ken Griffey Jr, Greg Olson, and other young stars. The classic design, high photo quality, and talent featured have made it a favorite among collectors. Key rookie cards and stars from the set like Griffey, Bonds, and Clemens retain high values today. The 1989 Bowman release marked the debut of future Hall of Famers and immortalized players and moments from an important year in MLB history. It remains one of the most historically significant and sought after sets released during the height of the baseball card boom in the 1980s and early 90s.
