The 1989 Topps Big Baseball card set marked Topps’ first foray into oversized baseball cards that were around three times the size of a standard card. As a result of their larger sizes and the cachet of being among the earliest examples of “big” cards, many of the key cards from the ’89 Topps Big set have maintained substantial premiums in the trading card market. For collectors looking to add some highly valued specimens from the late 1980s to their collections, here are some of the most expensive and sought-after 1989 Topps Big Baseball cards:
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (Card #137)
Arguably the finest rookie card issue of one of the game’s all-time great players, Ken Griffey Jr’s first Topps card is consistently one of the set’s most in-demand cards. As one of the earliest indicators of Griffey’s Hall of Fame talent and drawing power, high-grade examples of his ’89 Big rookie card trade in the thousands of dollars. A PSA 10 Gem Mint Griffey Jr. rookie could likely fetch over $10,000 due to his iconic player status and the extreme rarity of a perfect 10 grade for any vintage card. Even well-centered, sharp PSA 8s trade for $800-1000 showing the allure of this legendary rookie issue.
Barry Bonds Rookie Card (Card #201)
Though overshadowed at the time by the likes of Griffey and Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds would go on to have one of the greatest careers in MLB history. As a result, his ’89 Topps Big rookie has gained tremendous steam in the collecting marketplace in recent decades. High-grade Bonds rookies scratch the surface of $1000 even in PSA 8 condition thanks to his all-time single season and career home run records. A perfect PSA 10 could be a true collector’s cornerstone valued well over $5000 due to the scarcity of Bonds’ first cards in pristine condition.
Nolan Ryan Express (Card #142)
Capturing one of the game’s most dominating and record-setting pitchers in an especially thrilling action pose, Nolan Ryan’s ’89 Topps Big card stands out as one of the set’s most visually dramatic and historically significant images. Thanks to Ryan’s legend and the photo’s dynamism, even well-trimmed PSA 8 copies command over $300. High-grade PSA 10s have cracked $1000 at auction due to the image’s memorability and the difficulty in preserving these oversized cards flawlessly.
Rickey Henderson Steals Home (Card #207)
Like the Ryan card, Rickey Henderson’s ’89 Topps Big captures one of baseball’s most exciting and accomplished players in an iconic baserunning moment. As arguably the game’s greatest base stealer, the dramatic image of Henderson stealing home plate gives collectors a snapshot of why he remains such a fan favorite. PSA 8s have sold for $250-300 while a PSA 10 graded copy could reach the rarified atmosphere of a $1000 price tag showing Henderson’s enduring popularity and the market demand for perfectly preserved copies of special action shots from the set.
Sandy Koufax Near-Perfect Game (Card #118)
Like the aforementioned star-powered cards, Sandy Koufax’s dramatic ’89 Topps Big cards depicts the Hall of Famer during one of his most memorable performances – a near-perfect game in 1964 against the Chicago Cubs. For collectors who appreciate vintage Dodger history and Koufax’s legendary status, this is one of the set’s true historical headliners. Even in PSA 8 condition, examples can sell for $300 due to Koufax’s place among the game’s pitching greats. Perfectly graded PSA 10s have exceeded $750 reflecting the difficulty in preserving these extra large cards in pristine condition long-term.
Kirby Puckett (Card #184) & Other Star Rcokies
Though overshadowed by young stars like Griffey and Bonds, solid rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Kirby Puckett and Dennis Eckersley also hold appeal in today’s market. Puckett especially retains popularity among Twins fans, with PSA 8s now selling in the $150 range. Other future star rookies like Bert Blyleven, Mark Davis, and Mark McGwire also maintain modest premiums above run-of-the-mill commons from the set. With ravenous appetite for rookie cards of all the game’s all-time greats, these lesser-hyped star debut issues have found renewed interest among collectors three decades later.
While the 1989 Topps Big Baseball set is well-known for housing legendary rookie cards like Griffey and Bonds, iconic action shots of Ryan, Henderson, Koufax and other stars have also retained strong interest levels among collectors seeking the most historically significant and visually dramatic specimens from the landmark oversized issue. With their larger sizes, premium production values for the time, and depictions of some of baseball’s most renowned players, the top cards from the ’89 Topps Big set remain heavily in demand among both vintage and modern collectors decades after their original release.
