The 1989 Topps baseball card set was a highly coveted and valuable release during the height of the baseball card boom in the late 1980s. While not quite as iconic or valuable as the flagship 1952 or 1957 Topps sets, the ’89 Topps cards featured many of the game’s biggest stars and rookie cards that have stood the test of time. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the most noteworthy cards and rookies from the 1989 Topps set that have become highly valuable over the past 30+ years.
One of the true gems and most valuable cards from the 1989 Topps set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of if not the best rookie card of all-time, Griffey’s electric smile and smooth left-handed swing made him an instant fan favorite. His rookie card quickly became a highly sought after chase card for collectors. In pristine mint condition, Griffey’s ’89 Topps rookie has sold for over $100,000 at auction. Even well-worn near mint copies still fetch thousands. The card perfectly captures Griffey at the dawn of what became one of the most prolific careers in baseball history.
Another hugely valuable rookie card from 1989 Topps is Greg Maddux. Maddux went on to have a Hall of Fame career primarily known for his pinpoint control and dominance on the mound. His rookie card isn’t quite as iconic or flashy as Griffey’s, but for collectors it’s still a highly important piece of cardboard. Pristine Maddux rookies have sold for over $10,000. The card is a reminder of how dominant “Mad Dog” was from the very beginning of his big league career with the Chicago Cubs.
In addition to rookie stars, the 1989 Topps set also had update cards featuring some of baseball’s biggest names like Nolan Ryan and Ozzie Smith that have become highly valuable in the decades since. Ryan’s card from his final season at age 42 with the Texas Rangers has sold for over $1,000 in top condition. The card pays homage to Ryan’s incredible longevity and status as one of the game’s most prolific strikeout artists. Ozzie Smith’s card from his 15th and final season with the St. Louis Cardinals also regularly sells for $500-1000. It’s a fitting tribute to “The Wizard’s” brilliant defensive skills and popularity among collectors.
The 1989 Topps set also included rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Craig Biggio. Glavine debuted with the Atlanta Braves and went on to win 305 games and 2 Cy Young awards over his storied career. His rookie card can be acquired for $100-300 depending on condition. Cellmates Smoltz and Biggio each had lengthy and productive careers that have made their ’89 rookie cards valuable at $75-150 a piece. The cards provide a unique opportunity for collectors to obtain rookie pieces of these Cooperstown-bound players.
In addition to star rookies and veterans, error cards from the 1989 Topps set have also gained notoriety among collectors. Specifically, the Ken Phelps error card, which features Phelps in a Mariners uniform despite being traded to the Cubs prior to the season. Only 10-20 of these rare error cards are believed to exist, and mint condition copies have sold for over $10,000 at auction. The card serves as a fascinating mistake from the height of the baseball card boom era.
While produced during the peak of mass production, the 1989 Topps baseball card set remains a highly collectible release. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Griffey, Maddux, Glavine and Biggio hold significant value. Update cards paying homage to all-time greats like Ryan and Smith are also prized possessions for collectors. Even obscure errors like the Ken Phelps card have achieved legendary status among enthusiasts. The ’89 Topps set provided a snapshot of baseball on the cusp of a new decade and features many of the game’s enduring stars.
