The 1989 Topps baseball card set was issued during one of the most memorable years in Major League Baseball history. While notable for Brett Butler’s record-setting 192 hits and Nolan Ryan’s 5000th career strikeout, 1989 will always be remembered as the year of the Loma Prieta earthquake. On October 17, 1989, moments before Game 3 of the World Series between the Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants was set to begin, a massive 6.9 magnitude quake hit the Bay Area. The tragic human toll and widespread damage temporarily put the Fall Classic on hold, but it resumed 10 days later.

Within the 720-card 1989 Topps set released that year, several rookies and future Hall of Famers made their Topps debuts. While no single card reached the heights of Mike Trout’s 2009 Bowman Chrome rookie or other monster cards of subsequent years, many from ’89 hold nostalgic appeal and decent value today. For collectors, nostalgia often plays a big role in determining which cards from any given year stand out. With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the most notable and valuable 1989 Topps issues:

Ken Griffey Jr. (card #1) – Widely considered one of, if not the best all-around player of his generation, “The Kid” was just getting started in 1989 with impressive stats of 22 HR and 61 RBI in only 113 games as a 19-year-old rookie for the Seattle Mariners. Clean, centered examples in PSA/BGS 9+ condition have sold for over $1,000 in recent years.

Greg Maddux (card #87) – Already demonstrating his legendary control as a 22-year-old for the Chicago Cubs, Maddux went 16-8 with a 2.95 ERA in his rookie season. His ’89 rookies remain some of the more affordable Hall of Famer cards for collectors, with PSA/BGS 9s selling in the $150-250 range.

Wally Joyner (card #160) – The California Angels first baseman had a career year in 1989, leading the AL with 108 runs batted in. Joyner’s in-game homage to Jim McMahon and other football stars by wearing eye-black under his eyes made him a fan favorite. High-grade examples have traded for over $100.

Nolan Ryan (card #176) – Always a collector favorite, the “Ryan Express” was still overpowering hitters at age 42 for the Texas Rangers in ’89. He reached two huge career milestones that season by notching his 5,000th strikeout and 300th win. Mid-grade examples sell for $50-75.

Rickey Henderson (card #179) – Already a five-time All-Star and three-time stolen base champ by 1989, “Rickey” was in his prime with Oakland. He tallied 109 runs, 32 steals, and a career-best .325 batting average that season. PSA/BGS 9 copies have sold for $200-300.

Frank Viola (card #192) – The 1988 AL Cy Young Award winner followed up his historic campaign by going 18-9 with a 2.67 ERA for the Minnesota Twins in ’89. His rookie is a relatively affordable find for Twins PC collectors in the $20-30 range graded PSA/BGS 8.

Jose Canseco (card #273) – Coming off a monster ’88 season where he smashed 42 HR and stole 40 bases, Canseco was already one of baseball’s hottest stars at age 24. His rookie cards remain popular with slugger PC collectors despite controversy later in his career. High-grades sell for $100-150.

Mark McGwire (card #435) – Big Mac was coming into his own power-hitting prime with Oakland in ’89, belting 33 HR with a career-high .241 average. Clean PSA/BGS 9 examples of his respectable rookie card have sold for $75-100.

Barry Bonds (card #558) – Already a four-time All-Star and Gold Glover at just 25, Bonds was blossoming into a five-tool phenom with Pittsburgh. A .247 average, 24 HR, and 76 RBI in ’89 foreshadowed bigger personal milestones ahead. PSA/BGS 9 Bonds rookies are valued at $150-200 now.

Ozzie Smith (card #621) – One of the most electrifying defensive players ever, Ozzie the “Wizard” was a fixture at shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals by 1989. His wizardly skills earned him a Gold Glove that season, his eighth straight. High-quality Ozzie rookies have reached $150.

While the 1989 Topps set itself isn’t among the most valuable vintage releases, it captured many future Hall of Famers and stars at pivotal points in their careers. cards of Ken Griffey Jr., Rickey Henderson, Barry Bonds, and others remain strong sellers due to sustained collector demand for their rookie issues. Combined with nostalgia, cards from sets like ’89 Topps will always retain value as tangible links to memorable players and seasons from the late 80s and early 90s.