The 1989 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. While not the flashiest or most innovative design of the era, the ’89 Topps set featured some true superstar players and memorable rookie cards that have stood the test of time. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the best and most desirable cards collectors seek out from this 700+ card release over 30 years later.
Undoubtedly the most coveted and expensive card from the ’89 Topps set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was already generating huge hype in his first full season with the Seattle Mariners in 1989 despite just turning 19 years old. His sweet left-handed swing and effortless athleticism in center field made him an instant star. The Griffey rookie card captured him in the midst of his phenomenal rookie campaign where he hit .284 with 16 home runs and 47 RBI in just 109 games. This card has appreciated enormously over the decades to become one of the most valuable modern baseball cards ever produced, routinely fetching thousands of dollars even in low-grade copies.
Another hugely valuable rookie card from 1989 Topps is the Chipper Jones rookie. As the number one overall pick in the 1990 draft by the Atlanta Braves, Jones entered the majors in 1995 and went on to have a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Braves. He was an eight-time All-Star, won the 1999 NL MVP award, and helped the Braves win the 1995 World Series. His rookie card shows him as a non-descript minor leaguer in the Detroit Tigers system before his breakout. High-grade versions can sell for well over $1000.
Two other rookie cards that have grown substantially in demand and price over the years are the Barry Larkin and Gregg Jefferies issues. Larkin was already establishing himself as a star shortstop in his first full season with the Cincinnati Reds, and went on to a 12-time All-Star career and be elected to the Hall of Fame in 2012. The Jefferies card featured one of the game’s most hyped prospects, though injuries derailed what could have been a huge career for the former Mets prospect. Both cards are key pieces for any serious 1989 Topps collector.
In terms of superstar veterans, two of the most iconic cards from the set are the Nolan Ryan and Orel Hershiser issues. Ryan’s card shows the ageless wonder pitching for the Texas Rangers at age 41 after breaking Sandy Koufax’s single season strikeout record. Hershiser’s dominant 1988 season for the Los Angeles Dodgers culminated with a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings and a World Series MVP is immortalized on his ’89 Topps card. High-grade versions of these cards can reach $100-200 each.
Other highly sought after star cards include the Kirby Puckett, Wade Boggs, and Tony Gwynn issues. Puckett was already a five-time All-Star for the Minnesota Twins by 1989. Boggs had just won the 1988 batting title for Boston with a .366 average. And Gwynn’s career .338 batting average was starting to gain him recognition as one of the best pure hitters in baseball for the San Diego Padres. Each of these future Hall of Famers are key centerpieces for any ’89 Topps collection.
In terms of oddball inserts and parallels, one of the rarest and most valuable subsets is the ’89 Topps Traded set, featuring players who were traded mid-season. Only 85 cards were produced compared to the main set’s 700+, making each individual card much harder to find. Highlights include Ken Griffey Jr. as a Seattle Mariner, Nolan Ryan as a Texas Ranger, and Orel Hershiser as a Dodgers. Other scarce parallels include gold foil stamped cards, cello pack premiums, and special Tiffany issue cards.
While not flashy or innovative, the 1989 Topps baseball card set endures because it captured so many all-time great players at the peaks of their careers or as exciting rookies. From Ken Griffey Jr. to Nolan Ryan to Barry Larkin, this set will always be a benchmark release that defined the late 1980s baseball card boom. Whether you’re a casual collector or serious investor, the ’89 Topps set deserves a place in any collection thanks to its star power, memorable rookie issues, and enduring nostalgia over 30 years later.
While hundreds of other cards from the set deserve recognition, the Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, Barry Larkin, Gregg Jefferies, Nolan Ryan, Orel Hershiser, Kirby Puckett, Wade Boggs and Tony Gwynn cards can all be considered among the very best and most desirable from the iconic 1989 Topps baseball card set. Their combination of star players, rookie phenoms, and encapsulating pivotal moments in baseball history is why this release remains a benchmark for collectors of the era.
