The 1989 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. It was the 58th series issued by Topps and featured players from that 1989 Major League Baseball season. Some of the standout rookie cards and cards of star players from this set have become highly coveted by collectors over the years. Here are some of the most notable cards from the 1989 Topps set that are considered the best and most desirable:
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (Card #1) – Widely acknowledged as one of the best rookie cards of all time, Griffey Jr.’s 1989 Topps rookie is arguably the crown jewel of the entire set. Griffey was already renowned for his playmaking skills and potential superstardom before even debuting in the majors. His rookie card captured him at the start of what became a surefire Hall of Fame career. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples of this rare rookie card regularly sell for thousands of dollars today.
Frank Thomas Rookie Card (Card #178) – Another legendary rookie card from 1989 Topps was that of Frank Thomas, known as the “Big Hurt.” Like Griffey, Thomas went on to have an outstanding career and is also in the Hall of Fame. High gradeThomas rookies have become extremely valuable over the years as one of the best-looking and most sought-after early 90s rookie cards on the market.
Barry Bonds (Card #204) – Featuring one of the game’s all-time greatest players in the prime of his career, Barry Bonds’ 1989 Topps card is a true icon of the era. Bonds would win his first MVP award in 1990 and go on to break the single season and career home run records. Top-rated examples of this powerhouse card in PSA/BGS slabs sell for hundreds to over $1000.
Nolan Ryan (Card #322) – One of the most legendary pitchers in baseball history had just wrapped up his record-setting career when this iconic 1989 Topps card was issued. It perfectly captures baseball’s all-time strikeout king Nolan Ryan in mid-windup. High quality versions remain highly sought after by Ryan collectors and vintage card enthusiasts.
Rickey Henderson (Card #348) – Featuring the speedy Rickey Henderson, the 1989 Topps set had impeccable timing by including him during a season where he stole 100 bases to break Lou Brock’s single season record. “Rickey Being Rickey” as the back of the card describes, this is one of the most aesthetically pleasing and fun cards to own in the set.
Ozzie Smith (Card #565) – As one of the greatest defensive shortstops to ever play the game, Ozzie Smith’s slick fielding was perfectly captured on his 1989 Topps issue. Known as the “Wizard” for his acrobatic plays, this card stands out for collectors aiming to build the all-time great glovemen of baseball history.
Willie Stargell (Card #570) – Sadly, this would be one of the final Topps flagship cards to feature Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Stargell before his untimely passing in 2001. As the 1979 World Series hero for the “We Are Family” Pittsburgh Pirates, this nostalgic vintage issue remains a favorite for fans and memorabilia collectors.
In addition to those star cards, the entire 1989 Topps set also featured other notables like Kirk Gibson, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, and Mark McGwire. Overall issuer quality was also quite high compared to some sets from the late 80s. For dedicated vintage collectors, finding high graded examples of these standout rookie cards and star players from the 1989 Topps baseball set remains a worthwhile pursuit, as values have exponentially grown over the past 30+ years. The combination of elite rookie cards, Hall of Famers, and iconic photographic subjects make it one of the most remembered and collecting sets from the entire 1980s topps run.
