The 1989 Fleer baseball card set was the sixth series issued by the Fleer company. It featured players from both the American and National Leagues and consisted of 396 total cards. The set is notable for including rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Gregg Maddux, Mike Piazza, and Tom Glavine.
Due to containing rookie cards of so many star players who went on to have long and distinguished careers, many of the key cards from the 1989 Fleer set have retained or increased in value over the decades. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable and sought-after cards from this vintage series and examine their current estimated prices in the collectibles marketplace.
One of the crown jewels of the 1989 Fleer set is the rookie card of Atlanta Braves pitcher Greg Maddux, who would go on to win 4 Cy Young Awards and be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. Maddux’s card, #373 in the set, is highly sought after by collectors. In top gem mint condition with a grade of MT-10, it can fetch upwards of $10,000. Most graded examples in the 8-9 range sell for $300-800. Even in rough ungraded near-mint to mint condition, Maddux’s rookie still demands $75-150.
Another blue chipper is catcher Mike Piazza’s rookie card, #353 in the set. Piazza enjoyed a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets. His rookie in pristine MT-10 condition is valued at $2,500-3,000, with most PSA/BGS 9’s selling between $400-800. Ungraded near-mint examples go for $50-150 depending on centering and corners. Piazza remains one of the most popular players from the late 80s/90s era and his rookie card satisfies demand from Dodgers, Mets, and general baseball collectors.
Tom Glavine, pitcher for the Atlanta Braves and 300 game winner, has a rookie card at #337 in the ’89 Fleer set. Like Maddux, Glavine was inducted into the Hall of Fame and his rookie card sees appreciable prices due to his achievements and the dominance of those Atlanta Braves pitching staffs. A BGS/PSA 10 Glavine rookie would bring $1,500-2,000, with most 9’s settling in the $200-400 range. Near-mint uncertified examples can be acquired for $30-75 depending on quality.
Another top pitching prospect rookie in the set is #272 Kevin Brown of the Texas Rangers. Brown would go on to win 211 games and twice lead the National League in strikeouts during his career. High-grade PSA/BGS 10 examples of his rookie have sold for $900-1,200, with most 9’s bringing $150-300. Ungraded near-mint/mint copies can be found for $25-60. Brown was one of the most electric young arms in the late 80s/early 90s and his card remains a favorite of Rangers and Dodgers fans.
While not rookie cards, the 1989 Fleer set contains several young star player cards that have appreciated well due to future Hall of Fame careers. Barry Bonds’ card #300, depicting him as a Pittsburgh Pirate, has climbed to $200-300 in PSA 9 condition due to his all-time home run records. Ungraded near-mint copies sell for $30-80. #277 Mark McGwire as an Oakland A’s player has also gained value from his 70s home run chase with Sosa. PSA 9 McGwire cards reach $100-150 with most near-mint examples bringing $20-50 in sales.
Other noteworthy star cards with solid values include #191 Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles at $40-80 in PSA 9 and $10-25 ungraded near-mint, #83 Roger Clemens as a Boston Red Sox at $60-100 graded or $15-40 near-mint, and #79 Wade Boggs as a Red Sox finding $40-60 in PSA 9 and $10-20 ungraded. Even crowd-pleasing stars like #364 Ozzie Smith of the St. Louis Cardinals can return $30-50 in PSA 9 or $8-15 near-mint due to his flashy defensive skills and likeability.
The 1989 Fleer baseball card set remains a popular and lucrative vintage release for collectors and investors due to containing the rookie cards of so many elite players who enjoyed long and accomplished MLB careers. Headlined by the blue-chip rookie cards of Maddux, Piazza, Glavine, and Brown, key cards from this set maintain or increase in value year over year. With a mix of future Hall of Famers, offensive standouts, and fan favorite veterans, there is no shortage of interest in the 1989 Fleer set from collectors young and old. Graded gem examples of the top rookies can still achieve five-figure prices, proving this set holds steadfast in the upper echelons of the vintage collecting market.
