The 1989 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable issues from the late 1980s. While it doesn’t contain any true gem mint rookie cards of future superstars like some previous years did, there are still a number of highly desirable and expensive cards that can fetch big bucks from avid collectors. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the highest priced gems from the ’89 Topps set that continue to demand top dollar on the secondary market over 30 years later.
The undisputed king of the ’89 Topps set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the most iconic rookie cards in the modern era, Griffey’s debut is the undisputed crown jewel of any vintage baseball card collection. In pristine gem mint condition, graded MINT 10 by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), Griffey Jr. rookies have sold for well over $100,000. Even well-centered near mint copies in the PSA 8-9 range can pull in $5,000-$10,000. What makes Griffey’s rook unique is he was truly a once in a generation talent who lived up to the hype, winning multiple MVPs and batting titles while becoming a lifelong fan favorite.
One of the rarest cards from the set belongs to Baltimore Orioles’ Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. The ’89 Topps Ripken is one of only five cards which feature an autograph from the future Iron Man himself. Cal tended to be stingy with his autograph in the 1980s and very few signed copies exist from that era. In PSA 10 Gem Mint grade with Ripken’s shiny sharp autograph, the ’89 autographed Ripken has sold for over $50,000 at auction. Even signed PSA 8-9 versions in played condition fetch north of $10,000 on the open market.
Perhaps the most visually striking card in the set is the Kirby Puckett “glasses” card. The future Twins star and batting champion is featured wearing his trademark eyeglasses which give the photo an iconic look. High-grade PSA 10 copies have eclipsed $10,000 at auction while lesser PSA 8-9 copies still sell for thousands. What makes Puckett’s card so valuable is not just its eye-catching photo but also his popularity in Minnesota as a six-time All-Star who led the Twins to two World Series championships.
Pitching legends also command significant dollars from ’89 Topps collectors. Nolan Ryan’s card consistently ranks as one of the most in-demand cards despite featuring the aging hurler pitching for the Texas Rangers late in his Hall of Fame career. Still, Ryan’s status as a true icon and record breaker has seen PSA 10 copies sell for over $5,000. Fellow 300-game winner Roger Clemens also has a widely collected card from his Red Sox days. High-end PSA 10 Clemens rookies have sold in the $3,000-$4,000 range.
Rookie cards aren’t the only ones that hold value either. Established stars Frank Thomas and Wade Boggs, both nearing the tail ends of their careers in ’89, have cards that have cracked $1,000 in PSA 10 condition. Meanwhile, young All-Stars like Will Clark, Mark McGwire, and Barry Bonds have mid-career cards in ’89 that sell for $500-$1,000 in top grade as well. Even role players like ex-Yankee Steve Sax, known more for an ability to get on base, have desirable ’89 commons in the $200-$500 range.
Overall condition and centering play an enormous role in a card’s price, now more than ever. While Griffey and Ripken remain the true blue chip gems, there are still many affordable cards to be had from ’89 Topps depending on grade. Common players can be found raw for just a few bucks. The beauty is that even 30+ years later, this classic late-’80s issue still thrills collectors both young and old. For builders of full sets or investors looking for upside, the ’89 Topps baseball card set remains a fun and rewarding vintage to explore.
While the 1989 Topps baseball card set lacks a true across-the-board superstar rookie class, it still contains several true heavyweight cards that can deliver knockout prices when fresh and flawless. From icons like Griffey, Ripken and Puckett to HOF veterans Ryan and Clemens to young stars like McGwire and Thomas, there are expensive gems to be found. Overall condition, eye appeal, and the historical significance of the players illustrated will continue driving values on the highest echelon ’89 Topps pieces for decades more.
