As late 1980s baseball cards go, 89 was a great time to collect the best Topps had to offer. Younger Yankees fans are looking to connect to one of the most beloved icons of their fabled franchise. We strive to provide simple, straightforward advice that is objective, independent, and honest, helping you get the most for your money in the sports card investment world. Topps Living Set Fine Art Print #601 - Nick Castellanos . That said, it's his overall fame and popularity that boost the value of his 1989 Topps rookie card into the top ten on this list. I thought the design was kind of dull when these first came out. 1952 Topps Willie Mays RC #261 #5. Each set comes in a colorful display box. Here are 10 of the best Topps baseball cards from the set, along with information about the most valuable overall, standard error versions, and an investment outlook. I may not be a Braves fan but man was it fun watching Smoltz and the rest of those amazing Atlanta pitching staffs of the 1990's. 10 Most Important Hank Aaron Baseball Cards PLUS a Couple of Surprises! The Big Unit is featured in an angled profile shot in this classic RC, which sees him staring off-camera. By then, it was a foregone conclusion that Henderson would break Lou Brocks all-time stolen base record, which he would do a couple of years later. There has to be at least 10,000,000 or maybe even 25,000,000-30,000,000 sets of 1989 Topps. In 2017, one of these graded in PSA 9 condition sold for $4,651. You can enable via your browsers preference settings. First time Topps featured Draft Picks. The Big Unit is featured in an angled profile shot in this classic RC, which sees him staring off-camera. Rookie Card (#630) Cal Ripken Jr. (#15) Nolan Ryan (#300) Barry Bonds (#127) Rickey Henderson (#70). A similar Glossy Rookies set can be found in 100-card cello packs. That base-set card, though, showed the lefty with Michigan, making this Traded issue his first Topps Angels card. No one doubted the young Barry Bonds' talent during the 1989 season, but he had still yet to truly break out that year into the dominant player he'd later become. That card has been a standard-bearer in the hobby for decades, but it wasnt the only Junior choice that summer, as Fleer and Donruss bought into the Griffey phenomenon from the get-go. It has a blue hue and a yellow border that helps add color. Rickey Henderson was one of the most exciting players to watch in the 1980's and early 1990's. Of course, Deion didnt make it to the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, but he did make the Canton cut in 2011 as one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever line up in the NFL. Having made his debut in 1982, youll have to head back further than this set if youre looking for the most valuable options. In 1989, Biggio took a first step toward the Hall of Fame by winning his Silver Slugger award. Following the season, Jackson would keep the momentum going he built with the Royals as he parlayed his success into a Pro Bowl appearance for his work with the Raiders during the 1990 NFL season. As you can see, it will take them being professionally graded in gem mint condition to be worth much. Contact him at [emailprotected]. List by Card #, You own: 0 / 829 items When I was a kid, I used to love watching the "Bash Brothers" duo of Canseco and Mark McGwire hit towering home runs. Greatest Topps Baseball Cards of All-Time Most Expensive of All-Time #10. One of the guys who stoked our imaginations for 89 was Gary Sheffield, a 20-year-old shortstop with muscle for the Milwaukee Brewers, who just also happened to be Dwight Goodens nephew. Ken Griffey Jrs rookie cards are one of the best investments in the hobby, and on top of that, he is also one of the best center fielders in the history of professional baseball. If you can land one of the Tiffany versions of this Randy Johnson rookie card in perfect condition then you've definitely got something. If the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. is the most iconic baseball rookie card of the 1980s, the 1993 SP Derek Jeter holds a similar spot in for the 1990s. In this video, we explore the Top 10 most valuable baseball cards worth money in 1989. His rookie cards from various 1982 sets are some of the most expensive cards of the 1980's. How much is Ken Griffey Juniors rookie card worth? But, I did what I could to at least keep or trade for as many of the star players of the day. 1989 Topps card list & price guide. There are also variations of the card where the ad has a green or red tint to likely due to Fleer using a different printing facility or plate for them. The Hall of Famer might not have the most expensive card, but its still one of the keys to the set. For one, some cards are worth something in the present day! This card caught Henderson in the aftermath of his return trade to the Oakland As in June of 1989. These honor specific achievements, awards and performances. As a result, collectors were a bit more eager to jump on his rookie card. played professionally in two sports, winning several Super Bowl titles and making one World Series appearance in 1992 with the Braves. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 1984. Shop a huge selection of Baseball Cards from 1989 and earlier at low prices. Of course, the most iconic Griffey rookie card is the very first card that Upper Deck ever issued (aside from those 1988 promos), card #1 in the 1989 UD set. That said, his rookie card is still a key to this set. This first Topps card to show Murray in Blue sells for about $5 in PSA 9 condition. In 2018, he earned 37 percent of the vote before jumping to 42.8 percent in 19. There arent many surprises when listing the most valuable cards from 89 Topps Baseball sets. During his stellar 27-year MLB career, he struck out 5,714 batters, which still ranks 1st for most career strikeouts. On the diamond, the two-sport star turned in nine seasons across a 13-year span, making stops with four different teams along the way. Get my weekly newsletter with the latest hobby updates delivered straight to your inbox! They were both incredibly popular and so were their baseball cards. The base versions are quite easy to find but in pristine condition they can still go for over $30. Here is a look at the baseball cards that have exceeded a million-dollar price tag, including two by one of the sport's top active players: 1. It tracks month-by-month stats in several key areas. Every franchise has a Team Leaders card. 1987 Greg Maddux Topps Tiffany RC #70T. During his stellar 27-year MLB career, he struck out 5,714 batters, which still ranks 1st for most career strikeouts. If you lived through the baseball card boom and bust, then the term 1989 Topps baseball cards value might sound like an oxymoron of enough sleep proportions. Things got worse for Big Mac over the next few years before his renaissance in the mid-1990s, but he cut a fine figure on his 1989 baseball cards, including this Topps gem. And, though the lefthander did big things with the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros later on, the Johnson-Mariners union is where all the magic began. That means there are no Mickey Mantle Topps cards from 1954 or 1955. CNBC interviewed Ripken about 20 years later and he suspected that Fleer knowingly let the error into circulation to build hype and I wouldn't doubt it Billy Ripken's card wasn't the only controversial card in this set. Thanks partly to more than 500 career home runs, his Topps rookie card will run you about $45 in PSA 10 but just about a dollar raw. Prices are updated daily based upon 1989 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. Click on the card listings or images to shop on eBay. Rookie Card, which consistently garners attention, joined by a variety of Hall of Famers in a massive 792-card checklist. For this list, were looking at the rarer upgraded Topps Tiffany cards with white backs. When he received 52.6 percent of the vote in 20, it appeared as though he was on a steady climb to reach the 75 percent threshold within the next few years before this slight setback.. It's also one of the most valuable. The 1989 Topps Big Baseball card set consists of 330 cards measuring 2-1/2" by 3-3/4" with dual images of the player on each card front. Find out for yourself with our FREE checklist to guide you step-by-step. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. 5 Reasons to Update Your Business Operations, Get the Best Sleep Ever in 5 Simple Steps, How to Pack for Your Next Trip Somewhere Cold, Manage Your Money More Efficiently in 5 Steps, Ranking the 5 Most Spectacular NFL Stadiums in 2023, 1989 Topps Randy Johnson Rookie Card (#647), 1989 Topps John Smoltz Rookie Card (#382), 1989 Topps Gary Sheffield Rookie Card (#343), 1989 Topps Gregg Jefferies Rookie Card (#233). On this card, Henderson appears to be looking towards his 3rd base coach for a sign. The 1986 Topps Traded Bo Jackson rookie card is his most desirable and most expensive card you can find. Like Schmidt, Rickey is one of the all-time greats greatest base stealer, greatest leadoff man, greatest hot dog (though Reggie Jackson might have something to say about that). . Speaking of playing defensethis guy was one of the best defensive shortstops to ever play the game. The team name appears at the bottom of the cardboard with the athlete's name in a color banner printed at the corner. 1952 Topps #1 Andy Pafko #8. Unfortunately, Randy Johnson might have been named, but I wouldnt say that to his face! Mechanically, Smoltz was incredibly solid but it was his poise and concentration with which he pitched that really sticks out in my mind. Like Sheffield, Gregg Jefferies was one of the hitters we were banking on to really light a fire under our rookie cards (oh, the horror!). PriceIt Game | Theme: Envo Blog. A total of 12 cards combine Mantle with at least one other star. Mattingly was a 9-time Gold Glove winner so it was great to see a card like this showing off his defensive skills. $4795. Having made his debut in 1982, youll have to head back further than this set if youre looking for the most valuable options. 1987 Fred McGriff Topps Tiffany RC #74T. Those who grew up while the Yankees legend was playing are trying to reacquire the cards from their youth (or upgrade well-loved copies). His rookie card may not be the most expensive in the set but it's still very much one of the keys to own. It was frustrating to watch those years during the early 2000's when injury after injury kept him off the field. It includes all base cards but not any inserts, premiums or oddball cards. buy stuff after clicking links on our site One advantage of missing out early on is that you get a chance to make up for it later just ask 1989 Topps Traded baseball cards! He rewarded us with several solid years as a member of the Braves vaunted rotation before breaking out with a Cy Young season in 1996. Shortcuts: But, the scarcer Tiffany version can be worth over a whopping $500 in PSA 10 condition. 1989 Topps Traded #41T Ken Griffey Jr. Remember, for overproduced sets like 1987 Topps Baseball, PSA 10 copies are the only ones likely to retain any real value in the long term. Cheapest, It may have taken Johnson several more years before he really started to dominate in Seattle but it was well worth the wait. Prices are updated daily based upon 1989 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. By the time the 1989 season began, Kruk had already established himself as a guy who could hit for a high average with occasional power over a few seasons with the San Diego Padres. These have aged very well . In no particular order, wed look at the; sets with a strong rookie class, including a handful of future Hall of Famers. Ungraded & graded values for all '89 Topps Baseball Cards. Had he stayed healthy, there's a good chance he would have had the numbers to put him high in the conversation for being the greatest player of all-time. If you continue to use this site, we'll assume you're OK with that. At 610 1989 Topps John Smoltz Rookie Card (#382) 1989 Topps Nolan Ryan (#530) 1989 Topps Gary Sheffield Rookie . Demand for Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards is as strong as ever as you can tell by the price people are willing to pay for the glossy version of his 1989 Fleer rookie. In Seattle, of course, Johnson grew into the Big Unit, one of the most dominant power pitchers the game has ever seen. A Cleveland Indians legend, Vizquel has made strides in Hall of Fame voting, though his overall numbers might make it tough for him to muster the final push he needs to gain Cooperstown enshrinement. 30 Most Valuable Topps Tiffany Cards Rankings are based on the online Beckett Price Guide and Database. Expect to pay 10 times as much for a pristine graded copy. $6.50. Whether it be actual error cardsor color variations, the 1989 Topps Baseball set is plagued with issues. Ungraded & graded values for all '89 Topps Traded Baseball Cards. Sure, the base sets were overproduced, but high-graded Tiffany cards allow some separation at the upper end. Theres a variety of Hall of Famers, ably backed by one of the best rookie cards in the sport. See Also: Top 10 Mickey Mantle Cards of All-Time. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. 792 cards Mickey Mantle and Topps are two synonymous names in the hobby. Baseball Cards. GoldCardAuctions is a high-end investment-caliber trading card company and is the definitive source of sports card investing news and analysis. 1961 Topps Baseball - Pick A Card - Cards 396-490. 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth: $4.212 million. 1968 Topps #177 Nolan Ryan RC PSA 10 copies of the Tiffany cards are where the real money is, and some cards are worth keeping tabs on. $14.99. That popularity helps boost most of his cards to the most valuable in pretty much any set in which he was featured, including this one. All Rights Reserved. If you have cookies enabled, please refresh your browser. Unlike Sheffield, though, Jefferies had appeared in a few 1988 base sets (Donruss, Fleer, Score), so this 1989 Topps card wasnt really a rookie so much as a First Topps Card. Still, it was a popular issue that struggled right along with Jefferies as he couldnt quite hit the expectations set for him. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Key rookies in the 1990 Topps Baseball set are: Juan Gonzalez, Frank Thomas, Sammy Sosa , Larry Walker , and Bernie Williams. Released a couple of years after his rookie season, Bonds was already beginning totally impressive numbers by 1989. 1957 Topps Baseball Cards 15 Most Valuable, 1967 Topps Baseball Cards 17 Most Valuable, 1959 Topps Baseball Cards 17 Most Valuable, 1961 Topps Baseball Cards 16 Most Valuable, 1986 ProCards Pittsfield Cubs Rafael Palmeiro Left Room for Interpretation Wax Pack Gods, 1998 Upper Deck Final Tribute Captured Eddie Murray in His Second Home Wax Pack Gods, Players with 3000 Hits and 500 Home Runs Wax Pack Gods, Card Traders Near Me: Where to Find Them! Topps Living Set Fine Art Print #602 - Coco Crisp . Along with fellow Hall of Famers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, Smoltz put up some impressive performances and would even win a Cy Young in 1996. The base versions are quite easy to find but in pristine condition they can still go for over $30. Brief disclaimer: most of the cards on this list will generally not be worth anything Like the1989 Donruss, Fleer, Bowman, Score and Upper Deck sets, these cards were printed in such huge numbers that the market for them became oversaturated. For less than 20 bucks, then, regardless of condition, you can nab a very early career card of a fan favorite and Hall of Famer. Topps joined Score on the sidelines, though both caught up by issuing a Junior card in their year-end set. The 1989 Topps Baseball set consists of 792 cards, each measuring 2-1/2" by 3-1/2". Found in 1989, Topps Traded (and yes, there is a Tiffany version), the Griffey Jr. RC is the most coveted card from the collection. As was often the case with the flagship set, Topps used a great action shot of Jackson, holding a bat aloft casually. His 89 Topps card features an action shot of the Hall of Famer mid-throw. 1989 Topps card list & price guide. Proudly powered by WordPress | Players have complete stats for both the major and minor league careers. His 89 Topps card features an action shot of the Hall of Famer mid-throw. Ungraded & graded values for all '89 Topps Football Cards. was the home run king; hes the all-time leader in walks and owns a career 1.051 OPS. Brief disclaimer: most of the cards on this list will generally not be worth anything Like the 1989 Donruss, Topps and Score sets, these cards were printed in such huge numbers that the market for them became oversaturated. Like the 1989 Donruss, Topps and Score sets, these cards were printed in such huge numbers that the market for them became oversaturated. It also sells for a serious price if youre looking for gem mint copies of the Tiffany card. Ungraded & graded values for all '89 Topps Baseball Cards. The first Mickey Mantle Topps release is a high-number card in 1952 Topps Baseball. $14.99. Whether you are looking for boxes of baseball cards from the 80's or 70's you will find them here in our vintage baseball box section. A headshot of the player is superimposed atop an image of the player in-action with his name printed in blocks at the bottom, surrounded by a colored border and a white perimeter. I loved how Fleer captured Canseco watching what appears to be one of those towering home runs as he gets ready to trot around the bases. He did pick up his fourth Silver Slugger as a bit of a consolation prize, however. We'll respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time.. Posted by Adam Hughes | Baseball Card Values, Topps Baseball Cards | 1 |. Collectors were hungry for big-name rookie cards as the 1989 season dawned after a bumper crop in 1987, the 1988 sets were pretty sparse in terms of first-year cards, especially when it came to power potential. Most Expensive, How much is a Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck rookie card worth? Check it out right here! spent his entire 2-decade career with the Baltimore Orioles. 1989 Topps card list & price guide. Mass production. Deion Sanders played professionally in two sports, winning several Super Bowl titles and making one World Series appearance in 1992 with the Braves. Prices are updated daily based upon 1989 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. We may earn an affiliate commission if you You may be surprised that a card from a period of massive print runs could still be worth so much.