The 1989 Fleer baseball card set was one of the most popular and memorable releases from the late 1980s. While not the most valuable vintage card set today, it contained rookies and star players that any collector would want. Let’s take a look at the top 10 most noteworthy 1989 Fleer baseball cards based on player performance, rookie status, and general collectability.
Kirby Puckett (Card #293)
Kirby Puckett was already an established All-Star outfielder for the Minnesota Twins by 1989, but his Fleer card from that year remains very popular. Puckett had begun to establish himself as one of baseball’s top clutch hitters and was a six-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner by the end of the decade. His 1989 Fleer card isn’t overly valuable at around $5-$10, but it captured Puckett during his prime and remains an iconic card from the set.
Darren Daulton (Card #231)
While not a household name today, Darren Daulton was one of the best catchers in the National League during the late 1980s and early 1990s. His 1989 Fleer card is highly coveted by Phillies collectors as it features Daulton during his early seasons establishing himself as Philadelphia’s everyday catcher. In 1992, Daulton would lead the Phillies to the World Series and is still revered in the city for his leadership and gritty style of play. Mint condition copies of his ’89 rookie card can sell for around $15-20.
Lenny Dykstra (Card #252)
1989 was Lenny Dykstra’s first full season in the majors after breaking in late in 1988. Known as “Nails” for his hard-nosed playing style, Dykstra emerged as the Phillies leadoff hitter and a Gold Glove center fielder. His rookie card from the ’89 Fleer set remains one of the most iconic and storied in the brand’s history. While only a $3-5 card today, it captured Dykstra at the start of what would be a key role on Philadelphia’s 1993 World Series championship team.
Tom Glavine (Card #91)
American League Rookie of the Year in 1991, Tom Glavine cemented himself as one of baseball’s best pitchers throughout the 1990s. While not considered a true “rookie” for the ’89 Fleer set since he threw 49 innings in 1988, Glavine’s third-year card stands out. It shows the lanky lefty filling out as he neared superstardom over the next decade with 305 career wins and two Cy Young awards between the Braves and Mets. Near-mint examples fetch $15-25.
Barry Larkin (Card #247)
The Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin had one of the smoothest swings in the game during his 19-year career spent entirely with the Cincinnati Reds. Larkin’s rookie card from the ’89 Fleer set is one of the most visually appealing from that year. It pictures “Lark” from the side in mid-swing with his signature compact and balanced stance on display. As one of the premier shortstops of the 1990s, this iconic rookie card sells in the $25-35 range.
Mark McGwire (Card #288)
While not his true “rookie” card since McGwire debuted in 1986, the 1989 Fleer McGwire is still highly desirable since it came just before his monster breakout season. That 1987 campaign saw “Big Mac” crush 49 home runs and finish third in MVP voting, putting the baseball world on notice of his incredible raw power. This iconic McGwire image shows his muscular 6’5″ frame in the on-deck circle from that pivotal ’87 season. High-grade copies can reach $50.
Gregg Jefferies (Card #66)
One of the biggest “rookie card” stars from the 1989 Fleer set, Gregg Jefferies broke into the league with fanfare as a speedy and gifted young middle infielder for the Mets. While injuries derailed his career potential, Jeffries had several good seasons in the early 1990s and his card portrays the promise and buzz around him at that time. This coveted rookie remains a fan favorite and even ungraded examples sell in the $50-75 range.
Ken Griffey Jr. (Card #116)
Ken Griffey Jr.’s Hall of Fame career was just starting to take flight in 1989 as his tremendous five-tool talents were on full display in Cincinnati. Fleer captured “The Kid” perfectly in the prime of his youth with his smooth left-handed swing and effortless athleticism on full display. As one of the most iconic baseball cards ever released, even well-worn Griffey Jr. rookies sell for over $100 still today. Pristine specimens regularly auction for $250-500.
Frank Thomas (Card #305)
Nicknamed “The Big Hurt” for his mammoth home runs, Frank Thomas established himself as one of the premier power hitters of the 1990s right from the start. His 1989 Fleer rookie card captured Thomas during his dominant early Chicago White Sox career where he won back-to-back MVPs in 1993-1994. Thomas’ rookie remains one of the key chase cards from the Fleer set, with ungraded copies selling for $150-300 and mint versions fetching over $1000.
Barry Bonds (Card #221)
Widely considered the greatest baseball player of all time, Barry Bonds’ Hall of Fame resume was just beginning in 1989 during his early Pittsburgh Pirates days. His rookie card from Fleer is the crown jewel of the entire set and remains one of the most iconic and valuable cardboard collectibles ever printed. Even well-kept but ungraded examples sell for $500-700 today. Pristine Bonds rookies have reached astronomical prices at major auctions considering it captured the start of one of baseball’s true legends.
The 1989 Fleer baseball card set does not have the sky-high values of some prior years today. It captured stars like Bonds, Thomas, Griffey Jr., and McGwire early in their careers alongside formative rookie cards of pitchers like Glavine and position players like Jefferies, Larkin, and Daulton. For collectors, affordability and iconic imagery make several cards from this set highly coveted nearly 35 years later.
