The year 1989 produced some extremely valuable baseball cards that are highly sought after by collectors today. While the 1980s are not considered the peak era for baseball card collecting like the 1950s and 1960s, there were still many iconic rookie cards and stars of the era featured in 1989 sets that can hold significant value if in high grade. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top baseball cards from 1989 that are worth pursuing for any serious collector.
Perhaps the most valuable and iconic 1989 card is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card from Upper Deck. Griffey was already generating immense hype in the minor leagues and this was his highly anticipated rookie season with the Seattle Mariners. The Upper Deck Griffey rookie captured his smooth left-handed swing and showcased his athleticism in the outfield. This is widely considered one of the best baseball cards of all-time both aesthetically and in terms of historical significance as Junior would go on to have a Hall of Fame career. High grade Griffey rookies in a PSA 10 Gem Mint condition have sold for over $100,000, with most graded examples in the $3,000-$10,000 range depending on exact condition. Even well-centered near-mint copies can fetch over $1,000.
Another immensely valuable 1989 rookie card is the Chipper Jones card from Bowman. As the #1 overall pick in the 1990 draft by the Atlanta Braves, Jones emerged as a perennial All-Star and would play his entire career for one team, winning a World Series in 1995. His smooth left-handed swing from the left side of the plate made him a fan favorite. High grade PSA 10 Jones rookies have sold for over $20,000 with most graded copies in the $2,000-$5,000 range. This is a card that should continue increasing in value as Jones’ Hall of Fame career is remembered.
The 1989 Upper Deck Barry Bonds rookie is another highly sought after card for collectors. Bonds was already establishing himself as a premier slugger in Pittsburgh and would go on to break the all-time home run record. High grade PSA 10 Bonds rookies have eclipsed $10,000 at auction with most graded copies selling in the $1,000-$3,000 range depending on exact condition. Even raw near-mint or excellent condition copies can still fetch $500+ due to Bonds’ legendary career and the iconic Upper Deck design of this rookie issue.
The 1989 Fleer rookie card of Tom Glavine is another valuable issue, capturing the left-handed Atlanta Braves ace at the beginning of his Hall of Fame career. Glavine would go on to win 305 career games and 2 Cy Young Awards. PSA 10 Gem Mint Glavine rookies have sold for over $4,000 with most graded copies in the $500-$1,500 range depending on exact centering and condition. This is an iconic rookie card that was produced in high numbers but is still highly sought after by Braves and Glavine collectors.
The 1989 Upper Deck Frank Thomas rookie card stands out as another valuable issue from the set. “The Big Hurt” was already mashing baseballs as a rookie with the Chicago White Sox and would go on to a Hall of Fame career. PSA 10 Gem Mint Thomas rookies have sold for over $3,000 with most graded copies in the $500-1500 range depending on exact centering and condition quality. Even high grade raw copies can still fetch $300+ due to Thomas’ legendary hitting prowess.
The 1989 Bowman rookie card of Greg Maddux is another top issue to pursue, capturing the Hall of Fame right-handed pitcher at the beginning of his dominant career. Maddux would go on to win 355 career games and 4 Cy Young Awards between the Cubs, Braves and Padres in one of the most successful pitching careers ever. PSA 10 Maddux rookies have sold for over $2,000 with most graded copies in the $500-$1,000 range depending on exact centering and surface quality. This is an iconic rookie card that remains highly sought after.
The 1989 Upper Deck rookie card of Juan Gonzalez is an undervalued gem that could appreciate significantly given “The Juice” was a two-time AL MVP in the 1990s for the Rangers, producing monster home run and RBI seasons. Already possessing big power as a rookie, Gonzalez went on to hit over 400 career home runs. High grade examples have started to sell for over $1,000 with most graded copies in the $300-$500 range. This underrated rookie could explode in value as Gonzalez’ career is revisited.
The 1989 Fleer rookie card of Gregg Jefferies is another potentially undervalued issue to pursue long-term. Jefferies was a can’t-miss prospect for the Mets and while injuries derailed his career somewhat, he still had some productive seasons in the big leagues. PSA 10 Jefferies rookies have started to sell for over $500 with most graded copies in the $100-$300 range depending on exact centering. There is potential for this card to appreciate more if Jefferies’ career is re-examined.
The 1989 Upper Deck and Bowman rookie cards of Griffey, Jones, Bonds, Maddux, Thomas and Glavine remain the most consistently valuable issues to pursue, especially high grade PSA 10 Gems. But there are also some potential diamonds in the rough like the rookie cards of Gonzalez and Jefferies that could appreciate significantly with time if those players’ careers are revisited. The 1989 season was a pivotal one in baseball history and produced some true Hall of Fame talents that created iconic rookie cards that remain highly sought after by collectors today.
