The 1989 Topps baseball card set was a highly popular and desirable set during the late 1980s baseball card boom. Featuring many star players and rookies who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers, several 1989 Topps cards stand out as particularly valuable and iconic from that era. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most notable and valuable cards from the 1989 Topps set.
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (Card #1)
Arguably the most famous and sought-after baseball card from the entire late 80s/early 90s boom period is Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie card from the 1989 Topps set. Griffey was already one of the most hyped prospects in baseball and living up to the expectations in his rookie season with the Seattle Mariners in 1989. His sweet left-handed swing and effortless athleticism made him a fan favorite. When Topps included Griffey’s first big league card as the #1 card in the set, they essentially made it the flagship rookie card for collectors to chase. Over the decades, countless collectors trying to build a complete set would proudly display this Griffey rookie as the premiere card. In high grade it can fetch tens of thousands of dollars today and remains one of the most iconic baseball cards ever made.
Frank Thomas Rookie Card (Card #701)
Another hugely important rookie card from the 1989 Topps set was that of Chicago White Sox slugging first baseman Frank Thomas. Like Griffey, Thomas immediately proved he was a special talent by hitting .289 with 16 home runs as a rookie in 1990. He would go on to have a Hall of Fame career batting title and MVP awards. Thomas’ rookie card wasn’t quite as hyped as Griffey’s in the late 80s, but it has grown into a legendary rookie over time. In high mint condition it can reach values nearing or exceeding $10,000 due to Thomas’ rock solid career and the card’s immense long term popularity with collectors. It remains one of the most sought after and valuable cards from the whole junk wax era.
Nolan Ryan Express Postcard (Card #238)
One of the most visually stunning and collectible cards from the 1989 Topps set stands out not for featuring a rookie, but for saluting one of the game’s all-time pitching greats, Nolan Ryan. Dubbed the “Nolan Ryan Express” postcard, Card #238 breaks from the traditional card format by using a beautiful horizontal layout with a locomotive bursting across Ryan’s name and number. The dramatic photo of Ryan winding up captures the blazing fastball that made him a fan favorite during his later career with the Texas Rangers. While not at valuable at a Griffey or Thomas rookie, this unique Nolan Ryan card still commands prices often above $100 due to its excellent design honoring a legend.
Barry Bonds (Card #91)
Though just a few years into his career in 1989, Barry Bonds was already blossoming into a superstar for the Pittsburgh Pirates and his 1989 Topps card would prove to be incredibly prescient. The card features an image of Bonds unleashing one of his mammoth home run swings, foreshadowing the awe-inspiring power he would demonstrate for decades to come. Bonds would go on to break the all-time home run record and establish himself as perhaps the greatest pure hitter in baseball history. As one of his earliest starring cards showing off his prodigious talent before scandal tarnished his legacy, the 1989 Topps Bonds has grown quite valuable. High grade copies in pristine condition can reach $500+ due to capturing a legend so early in his already remarkable career.
Ozzie Smith (Card #648)
Among the veteran stars featured in the 1989 Topps set, one of the most iconic is Ozzie Smith’s card from his playing days as the acrobatic shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals. Known far and wide as the “Wizard of Oz” for jaw-dropping defensive plays, Smith’s ability to dazzle fans was perfectly captured in the photo on his ’89 card, which shows him all aflutter making an acrobatic throw. As one of the best defensive players ever at any position, this card captured a true living legend in his prime. While not nearly as valuable as big name rookies, mid-grade copies still command $30-40 due to Smith’s enduring popularity and the memorable image from his spectacular playing days.
Rick Dempsey (Card #109)
One of the oddest but most notorious cards from the 1989 Topps set is that of former catcher Rick Dempsey, then playing for the Baltimore Orioles. On the surface it seems a pretty standard veteran card, but the photo featured on the front is what made it so infamous – it shows Dempsey’s exposed backside as he reaches to make a tag! Dubbed the “moon” photo for obvious reasons, Dempsey’s compromising position captured on a mainstream baseball card sparked quite a bit of controversy and crack-up factor. Due to the sheer bizarreness of the photo and the resulting notoriety, even lowly condition copies of Dempsey’s “moon” card can fetch $15-20 just due to its odd place in sports card history.
While the 1989 Topps set featured over 700 total cards, these select cards including rookies of Griffey, Thomas and Bonds as well as icons like Ryan, Smith and even Dempsey stand out as some of the most notable, collectible and valuable from that highly popular vintage release. Whether raw or graded, they continue to be sought after prizes for completionist collectors thanks to capturing legends early in their careers or in unique iconic photos. The 1989 Topps set endures as one of the true classics of the junk wax era.
