The 1989 Topps baseball card set was a highly anticipated release during the summer of 1989. Following a decade of dominance in the baseball card market, Topps continued to be the most popular brand for collectors. The 1980s had seen tremendous growth in the hobby, fueled by the rise of speculators and investors seeking out rookie cards of star players that could appreciate in value.
The 1989 Topps set would feature cards for all 26 Major League teams, including rookies and key players that would go on to have Hall of Fame careers. Some of the young stars included Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire, and Barry Larkin. Veteran stars featured included Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, and Nolan Ryan. The design of the 1989 Topps cards continued many of the stylistic elements that had become synonymous with the brand during the decade.
The fronts of the cards featured individual player photos in color on a white background. Player names, positions, and team logos were displayed prominently at the bottom. Statistics from the previous season were included on the back of each card. The most notable change in design from 1988 was the addition of blue and red stripes along the borders. This gave the cards a more visually appealing and colorful look compared to previous plain white borders.
As with most Topps sets from the 1980s, the 1989 release included several popular insert and parallel series beyond the base cards. The “Traded” subset highlighed players who had been dealt to new teams since the previous season. Rated Rookie cards were given to top rookie and prospect players. All-Star cards honored players selected to the Midsummer Classic. Fan Favorites cards highlighted some of the most popular veterans.
Perhaps the most coveted parallel series was the limited-edition Topps Tiffany set. Only 100 of each Tiffany card was produced on high-quality card stock with gold foil lettering and borders. These ultra-rare parallel versions of the base cards became highly sought after by advanced collectors. Other insert sets included Team Leaders, League Leaders, and Turn Back The Clock retrospective cards honoring past stars.
When the 1989 Topps cards were released that summer, the excitement surrounding the rookie class was palpable. Ken Griffey Jr. was already establishing himself as a budding superstar in his second big league season with the Seattle Mariners. His impressive skills were evident on his Topps Rookie Cup parallel card. Mark McGwire’s monster home run power was also on full display during his rookie campaign with the Oakland A’s.
Barry Larkin’s smooth all-around game was gaining notice as well in his first year with the Cincinnati Reds. These future Hall of Famers would go on to have iconic careers at the highest levels of MLB. But in 1989, collectors were just starting to realize they held valuable rookie cards in their hands that could gain tremendous worth if those players fulfilled their potential.
The 1989 season itself proved a memorable one in Major League Baseball. The Oakland A’s, led by McGwire and manager Tony La Russa, cruised to a World Series title over the San Francisco Giants. The Chicago Cubs made a surprising playoff run, advancing to the National League Championship Series. Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox dominated on the mound once more, winning his second Cy Young Award.
When the final cards were packed and shipped that summer, Topps had another highly successful release on its hands. The designs, players, and parallels combined to create a beloved set that remains popular with collectors today. Prices for the rookie cards of Griffey, McGwire, and others have skyrocketed over the decades. The 1989 Topps baseball cards stand as a memorable snapshot from a great year in the game.
