The 1989 Bowman baseball card set holds a special place in the history of the hobby as it featured some of the greatest players of all time as rookies or early in their careers. While not as valuable as some other vintage sets from the late 1980s, there are still a handful of highly sought after rookie and star cards that can fetch big money today if graded and preserved in pristine condition. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable 1989 Bowman cards on the hobby’s secondary market.
Kenny Lofton RC BVG 9.5 (GEM MT) – $1,500+
Lofton made his rookie card debut in the 1989 Bowman set and it has become one of the keys from the year. In top BVG 9.5 (GEM Mint) grade, his RC has consistently sold for $1,500 or more in recent auctions. Lofton went on to have a Hall of Fame caliber career playing for several teams including Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Houston from 1991-2007. He stole 622 bases during his career, won three Gold Gloves, and made six All-Star teams. His explosive speed and defensive abilities in center field made him a fan favorite for many years.
Barry Larkin RC PSA 10 – $1,250+
Another hugely valuable 1989 Bowman RC is that of Reds’ shortstop Barry Larkin. Like Lofton, Larkin also debuted in the ’89 set and went on to have a stellar career that landed him in the Baseball Hall of Fame. High-grade Larkin rookie cards always demand big money from collectors and examples that have achieved the coveted PSA 10 Gem Mint grade have sold above $1,250. Larkin was a 12-time All-Star, 3-time Gold Glover, 1995 NL MVP, and key member of Cincinnati’s 1990 World Series championship team.
Gregg Jefferies RC PSA 10 – $900+
While his career may not have panned out as hoped, Gregg Jefferies’ rookie card is still one of the keys from the ’89 Bowman set. As one of the era’s premier prospects coming out of high school, Jefferies created huge buzz heading into the majors. Examples of his rookie in pristine PSA 10 condition have steadily sold above the $900 mark at auction. Even though he did not live up to expectations at the MLB level, his card remains popular with collectors due to his hype as a Blue Chip teen sensation back in the day.
Ken Griffey Jr. RC PSA 9 – $750+
Of course, one of the most beloved players to collect is Ken Griffey Jr. Debuting as an 18-year-old rookie for the Seattle Mariners in 1989, Griffey’s cards from this time period are absolute icons. While his PSA 10 Gem grades easily eclipse the $1,000 mark, even high-end PSA 9 Near Mint examples of his rookie card have sold in recent months above $750 from deep-pocketed Griffey admirers. Junior went on to have one of the best and most entertaining careers in MLB history while also becoming a cultural icon. Because of this, high-end versions of his ’89 Bowman RC will likely forever hold value.
Jerry Browne RC PSA 9 – $650+
An underrated key card from the 1989 Bowman set is that of Diamondbacks’ outfielder Jerry Browne. As a top prospect coming out of USC, Browne’s rookie attracted attention but he did not pan out at the MLB level. Still, his PSA 9 graded rookie card consistently sells above $650 nowadays. Examples reaching the ultra-rare PSA 10 have even eclipsed the $1,000 mark before. Browne’s card is popular due to its scarcity at top grades and his fame as a great player and hitter at USC. While his career fizzled, his RC will stay desirable to completionists.
Kris Bryant RC PSA 9 – $600
Though not truly a 1989 Bowman card, Cubs’ slugger Kris Bryant’s first baseball card actually came from the 2014 Bowman set as a prospect. Bryant would then go on to win NL Rookie of the Year in 2015 for Chicago. Today, PSA 9 versions of his 2014 Bowman Chrome RC sell routinely above $600. This is remarkable considering Bryant debuted as recently as 2014 and is still active. The combination of his young stardom, three All-Star selections, and 2016 NL MVP award have made his rookie one of the most demanded modern player cards on the market. Few thought in 2014 that Bryant would achieve such immediate success, making high graded versions of his proto-rookie all the more coveted.
Ben McDonald RC PSA 9 – $550+
One of the more obscure high-dollar cards from 1989 Bowman is that of Orioles’ flamethrower Ben McDonald. As the first overall pick in the 1989 MLB draft, McDonald’s rookie enjoyed strong initial hype that has carried through to today. Now, examples of his card that have earned a coveted PSA 9 grade commonly sell above $550. While injuries prevented McDonald from achieving his full potential, his Topps rookie card remains popular with both Orioles and vintage collectors more than 30 years later.
Jerry Table RC BVG 9 – $500+
Few may remember utility man Jerry Table, but his rookie is one that vintage collectors seek. Table appeared in just 61 games for the Cubs and Athletics between 1990-1991 before retiring. His ’89 Bowman RC has achieved legendary status as the set’s most difficult PSA 10 to locate. In fact, none are confirmed to even exist at that lofty condition. Still, even top-graded BVG 9 examples routinely cross the $500 sales threshold. Table’s rookie has become synonymous with the challenge of attaining the finest known condition.
While the 1989 Bowman set as a whole may not reach the heights of some other 1980s/1990s releases, it featured future phenoms, award winners, and Hall of Famers that make the top rookie cards highly valuable today. Combining star power with condition rarity is the key to maximizing returns on these seminal 8×10 cardboard issues from ’89. With such beloved players as Griffey, Larkin, and Lofton among the standouts, their rookies appear poised to retain collecting longevity for decades to come.
