The 1989 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic releases in the history of the hobby. While it did not feature any rookies who went on to the Hall of Fame, there are still several cards from the set that have become enormously valuable due to rarity, condition, and player performance. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable 1989 Fleer baseball cards.
Perhaps the most well-known card from the 1989 Fleer set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Fleer had exclusive rights to rookie cards in 1989 and Griffey was one of the game’s brightest young stars, making his rookie cards highly desirable. However, Griffey’s Fleer rookie is not the most valuable due to condition and printing issues that Fleer had. The image on many Griffey rookies has fading or is off-centered. But a Griffey rookie in near-mint to mint condition can still fetch thousands of dollars. A PSA 10 Gem Mint Griffey rookie recently sold for over $25,000, showing it remains one of the set’s most popular cards.
Another valuable rookie from the 1989 Fleer set is the Gregg Jefferies card. Jefferies was a highly-touted prospect who had a few decent seasons but failed to live up to expectations. Still, his rookie card is a key piece for set collectors and has also held value relatively well compared to the Griffey due to a smaller printing run. A PSA 10 Jefferies rookie recently sold for over $2,000, with raw near-mint copies also reaching the triple-digit range.
Beyond rookies, one of the most iconic and valuable cards from the 1989 Fleer set is the Nolan Ryan Express card. Featuring a sharp photo of Ryan’s famous over-the-top windup, this card became hugely popular with collectors. It also captured one of the game’s all-time greats at the peak of his historic career. The Ryan Express card routinely tops most valuable lists for the 1989 Fleer set. A PSA 10 recently crossed the $10,000 threshold in an auction, but even well-centered raw near-mint copies can demand $2,000-$3,000.
Two other superstar cards that have gained significant value from the 1989 Fleer set are the Kirby Puckett and Ozzie Smith issues. Puckett was in the midst of establishing himself as perhaps the best hitter in the American League throughout the late 1980s. A PSA 10 Puckett sold for over $6,000 last year. Meanwhile, Ozzie Smith was arguably the best defensive shortstop of all-time. His smooth, backhand flipping motion was perfectly captured on his 1989 Fleer issue. High-grade Smith cards now sell for $1,000-$2,000, reflecting his Hall of Fame career and popularity.
Rarity also plays a role in some other valuable 1989 Fleer cards. For example, the Nolan Ryan Astros insert card was only given out at a single ballpark raffle promotion. As a true limited issue within the set, ungraded examples have sold for well over $1,000. The Darryl Strawberry Traded card, showing him with the Dodgers after being dealt from the Mets, is also quite scarce. Well-centered examples command $500-$800 due to the odd nature of the image within the set.
While it lacks rookie cards that reached legendary status, the 1989 Fleer baseball set nevertheless contains several key pieces that have become tremendously valuable long-term investments. Key factors like rarity, star power of featured players such as Griffey, Ryan, Puckett and Smith, and even unique photographic choices have all contributed to strong secondary market demand for top condition copies. For dedicated collectors, finding high-grade versions of these most valuable 1989 Fleer cards can take a significant effort and expense. But they remain iconic representations of both the players and the hobby itself.
