The 1989 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the modern era of collecting. While it didn’t receive the same fanfare as some earlier 1980s releases from Topps and Donruss, the ’89 Fleer set contained several highly coveted rookie cards that have grown exponentially in value over the past 30+ years. For serious collectors and investors, several cards from this 792-card release stand out as truly valuable specimens worth pursuing.
One of the primary drivers of interest and value surrounding the 1989 Fleer set is the presence of rookie cards for hall of famers Ken Griffey Jr. and Greg Maddux. Griffey’s card, in particular, is arguably the most sought-after in the entire set. Often drawing comparisons to the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie, the Griffey Jr. card captured him at the very beginning of what would become a surefire hall of fame career. Modestly printed at the time, remaining high-grade copies of this card in pristine mint condition can fetch tens of thousands of dollars today.
Another hugely valuable rookie from ’89 Fleer is Atlanta Braves pitcher Greg Maddux. Like Griffey, Maddux went on to have a storied career and is now enshrined in Cooperstown. His card was somewhat lost amongst the larger rookie class that year and isn’t as widely collected as Griffey’s. Still, PSA/BGS gem mint 10 examples can sell for $3,000-$5,000 depending on market conditions. Both the Griffey and Maddux rookies hold significant historical appeal that drives collector demand and price appreciation over the long run.
In addition to star rookies, the 1989 Fleer set featured several other highly valuable veteran cards. Perhaps most notably is the ultra-short printed Ken Griffey Sr. card numbered to only 100 copies total. While Griffey Sr. had an excellent but less heralded career compared to his son, his scarcity alone makes this one of the true crown jewels within the set. Just finding any copy, regardless of condition, will cost a collector thousands – and a pristine PSA/BGS 10 could be a six-figure card.
Another scarce veteran card is that of San Diego Padres slugger Fred McGriff. Numbered to only 250 copies, McGriff’s ’89 Fleer issue is one of the lowest printed cards from any modern set. High grades can sell for $4,000-$6,000 today. Stars like Ozzie Smith, Don Mattingly, and Nolan Ryan all have fairly low printed Fleer cards from ’89 that are regularly in high demand from collectors. Even in lower grades, examples can sell for $500 or more.
Beyond star rookies and short prints, there are a few other factors that make the 1989 Fleer baseball release uniquely collectible and valuable long-term. The set design features team-colored borders and player poses that have stood the test of time. It also came out at the tail end of the “junk wax” era before the sports card market crashed, making it more scarce than subsequent early ’90s issues. The rise of PSA/BGS third-party grading has helped preserve and authenticate the condition of the best specimens.
While it may not have the same first-thought nostalgia as the classic Fleer sets of the 1960s, the 1989 edition has proven to house some true blue-chip gems. The combination of all-time star rookies, scarce veteran cards, and overall set quality factors make several selections from this release truly valuable specimens worth pursuing – especially for investors with the long view of the hobby in mind. After more than 30 years, the 1989 Fleer baseball cards retain their cache and continue increasing in price, ensuring their place as one of the most coveted modern issues.
