The year 1989 produced some of the most valuable and sought after baseball cards in the hobby’s history. Several rookies from that year have skyrocketed in price due to their star players achieving great success in Major League Baseball. While it may seem like recent cards fetch higher prices, certain vintage 80s rookies remain among the costliest investments for collectors decades later. Let’s take a look at the top five most valuable baseball cards from the 1989 season based on PSA 10 mint condition prices.
Coming in at number five is the Ken Griffey Jr. Fleer rookie card. Widely considered one of the most iconic rookie cards ever printed, Griffey’s electric smile and smooth left-handed swing captured the hearts of fans from day one of his career. “The Kid” would go on to hit over 630 home runs and make the MLB All-Star team ten consecutive years. The popularity of this card has never waned. In a PSA 10 grade, the Griffey Jr. Fleer rookie recently sold for $18,750, a remarkable price for a card over 30 years old. The high pop report of only 44 PSA 10 examples further cements this as a trophy piece for vintage collections.
At number four is Greg Maddux’s 1989 Pacific Crown Collection rookie card. Maddux is regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history based on his pinpoint control and dominance across two decades winning 355 games and four Cy Young awards. As one of the premier hurlers of his era, his rookie card has aged very well. A PSA 10 recently brought $21,000 at auction. The lack of any logos or copyrights on the front also give the Pacific Crown issue a very clean and appealing design that holds collector interest. With just 26 earning the perfect 10 grade, this underrated Maddux rookie remains highly coveted.
The third most expensive 1989 baseball card is none other than the Barry Bonds rookie from Bowman. Considered by many the greatest baseball player of all time, the Bonds rookie has always been one of the costliest modern vintage cards due to his record-setting 762 career home runs and seven MVP awards. Even with PED allegations marring his reputation in retirement, the immense talent Bonds displayed early on still drives collectors wild for his first card. A pristine PSA 10 Bonds Bowman rookie blasted to $24,750 at auction last year, a figure that will likely climb higher over time as fewer high-graded examples remain in circulation. Only 12 have achieved the top PSA 10 status to date.
Coming in at the number two spot is perhaps the most hyped rookie of 1989, Frank Thomas from Bowman. The “Big Hurt” put together a Hall of Fame career hitting 521 home runs with a .301 batting average while winning two MVP awards. His rookie has achieved iconic status itself for capturing Thomas before he blossomed into a superstar. PSA 10 condition examples of this beautiful vertical design card rarely become available on the open market. When one did surface last October, it sold for a whopping $36,000 after intense bidding. Of all the Bowman rookies from ’89, the Thomas seems to generate the most fervor and competitive bidding among collectors.
And finally, taking the top spot as the most valuable and expensive baseball card from 1989 is Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie from Upper Deck. Many call this one of the greatest cards ever made with its perfectly centered photo and bright colors really allowing Griffey’s talents to shine through. It’s no wonder the Upper Deck issue became the card of the 1980s and is still a benchmark in the hobby today. The market has consistently shown this to be the blue-chip investment card from the vintage era, with a PSA 10 recently selling for an astounding $106,250. With a high grade population of only 41 cards earning that prestigious 10 designation, the Griffey Jr. Upper Deck rookie remains one of the true untouchable iconic cards that is always in high demand.
While the prices of baseball cards from the late 80s and early 90s have appreciated significantly, it’s clear that certain rookies from stars like Griffey, Thomas, Bonds and Maddux have stood the test of time as true collectibles. Their success on the field translated into long term value growth few other investments can match. Whether slabbed and tucked away safely or displayed proudly in a collection, these elite 1989 cards will likely maintain their spot at the top of the charts for passionate collectors and savvy investors alike. The combination of on-field greatness, aesthetic beauty and ever shrinking high grades may propel some examples even higher should they cross the auction block again in the future.
