The 1989 Fleer baseball card set holds some true gems that are highly coveted by collectors. With iconic rookie cards and star players featured, many of the top cards from this set have seen their values skyrocket over the past few decades. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable 1989 Fleer baseball cards that can fetch thousands of dollars or more in top graded condition.

Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (#156)

Perhaps the single most valuable and desirable card from any 1980s or 90s baseball set is the rookie card of Ken Griffey Jr. Widely considered one of the best five-tool players of all time, Griffey had a picture perfect swing and was arguably the best center fielder ever. His rookie card features him front and center in a Mariners uniform. High quality PSA 10 or BGS Black Label gem mint copies of this card have sold for over $100,000. Even well-centered PSA 9s can sell for $10,000+. Griffey’s rookie is the undisputed king of the 1989 Fleer set.

Greg Maddux Rookie Card (#183)

Regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history based on his dominance, brilliance and consistency, Greg Maddux is a first ballot Hall of Famer. His rookie card features him pitching for the Chicago Cubs and is highly sought after by collectors. PSA 10 examples in absolute mint condition have sold for $15,000-$20,000 at auction. Well-centered PSA 9 copies often sell for $4,000-$6,000 depending on the auction. Even in worn lower grades, Maddux’s rookie maintains strong value due to his legendary pitching career and popularity.

Tom Glavine Rookie Card (#277)

Another elite Hall of Fame pitcher featured as a rookie in the 1989 Fleer set is Tom Glavine. One of the greatest left-handers of all time who won 305 games and 2 Cy Young awards, Glavine’s rookie card shows him with the Atlanta Braves. PSA 10 gem mint copies are quite scarce and have sold for over $10,000 each. Well-centered PSA 9 examples typically sell in the $2,000-$4,000 range. Even PSA 8 copies with wear or centering issues hold $500-$1,000 value due to Glavine’s amazing career accomplishments.

Doc Gooden (#107)

Known as “Dr. K” for his strikeout dominance, Dwight “Doc” Gooden was one of the most electrifying young pitchers in baseball history during the mid 1980s. His career was derailed by injuries and substance abuse issues, but Gooden’s earlier years pitching for the New York Mets saw him win the 1985 Cy Young and strike out over 300 batters twice. His 1989 Fleer card remains highly sought after by collectors due to his prodigious talent and fall from grace story. PSA 10 gems sell for $2,000-$3,000 while PSA 9 copies trade hands for $500-$1,000.

Kevin Maas Rookie Card (#274)

An intriguing “what if” story, Kevin Maas had one of the hottest rookie seasons ever in 1990 for the New York Yankees, slugging over 30 home runs. Unfortunately, he was never able to match that success going forward. Still, his 1989 Fleer rookie card remains desirable due to his eye-popping rookie stats. High grade PSA 10 and BGS Black Label copies sell for $400-$600. PSA 9s typically sell in the $150-$250 range due to Maas’s potential that was never fully realized.

Jeff Bagwell Rookie Card (#244)

After a 20 year MLB career spent entirely with the Houston Astros mostly as a first baseman, Jeff Bagwell was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017. Across the board regarded as one of the most underrated players of his era, Bagwell possess incredible power and hitting skills. His 1989 Fleer rookie is widely desired and holds immense value today. PSA 10 gem mint copies have sold for $4,000 or more at auction while top PSA 9 examples move for $1,500-$2,500 depending on the week. Clean PSA 8s sell in the $600-$800 range too due to Bagwell’s career resume.

Barry Bonds (#207)

One of the most controversial yet productive hitters in MLB history, Barry Bonds still holds the all-time home run record. His power numbers were eye popping but clouded by steroid usage allegations later in his career. Still, Bonds’s rookie card appeals greatly to collectors. Extremely high grade PSA 10 copies fetch $2,000-$3,000. Well-centered PSA 9 examples often sell between $500-$800 despite Bonds’s off-field reputation issues. At only 5’11” and listed at 180 pounds on his 1989 Fleer rookie, Bonds would go on to beef up tremendously and hit 73 home runs in 2001 alone.

Ken Griffey Jr. Prospect Card (#S1)

As if Griffey’s iconic rookie card wasn’t valuable enough already, Fleer also included him in the short printed prospect subset featuring future stars. This “S1” parallel makes Griffey’s prospect card exponentially rarer. Just finding a PSA 8 or 9 copy is an enormous challenge. When higher graded PSA 10 examples surface, they sell for north of $20,000 each considering their extreme scarce status. Even heavily played PSA 6 copies with wear still sell for thousands due to the subset print run being minuscule compared to the base set.

This covers some of the costliest, most eye-popping gems from the otherwise affordable 1989 Fleer baseball set that propelled the careers of future Hall of Famers. Prices are constantly fluctuating based on new auction records and the greater collector market trends. But these highlighted cards should maintain their immense desirability and values long into the future as symbols of baseball’s glory years in the late 80s and early 90s. The 1989 Fleer release captured lightning in a bottle by including so many all-time great talents as rookies and prospects.