30 Most Valuable 1989 Topps Baseball Cards
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When I was growing up in the late 1980's, I remember scooping up as many 1989 Topps baseball cards as I could...
But I never came close to completing a set.
After all, there were 792 cards in total to collect and as a kid I just didn't have the resources to fund a quest like that.
But, I did what I could to at least keep or trade for as many of the star players of the day.
Even today, the design that Topps used for this set is easily one of my favorites of the modern era.
And in this guide, I will cover the 30 most valuable 1989 Topps baseball cards that are still worth a decent amount.
Let's jump right in!
Ross Uitts - Owner
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Brief disclaimer: most of the cards on this list will generally not be worth anything...
Like the 1989 Donruss, Fleer, Bowman, Score and Upper Deck sets, these cards were printed in such huge numbers that the market for them became oversaturated.
The only way they can have much value is by either being the Tiffany version (Topps' premium factory set) and/or being graded by PSA to be in perfect, gem mint condition (PSA 10).
That means the card needs to be basically flawless.
Now that we got that out of the way, let's take a look at the top ten:
1989 Topps Traded #41T Ken Griffey Jr.
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $275
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Considered to be one of his most popular rookie cards, the 1989 Topps Traded issue features a young Griffey staring confidently with a bat over his shoulder.
The base versions are quite easy to find but in pristine condition they can still go for over $30.
But, the scarcer Tiffany version can be worth over a whopping $500 in PSA 10 condition.
Like other Tiffany cards, they are easily distinguished from their base versions by the glossy, sharper card stock.
1989 Topps #250 Cal Ripken Jr.
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $70
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Last but not least is Cal Ripken Jr.
His rookie cards from various 1982 sets are some of the most expensive cards of the 1980's.
And his legendary status is just enough to keep the value of his 1989 Topps card in the top ten of this set.
He was one of the most popular players of the day, and like Nolan Ryan, that's enough to keep his cards among the most valuable in pretty much any set.
1989 Topps Traded #110T Deion Sanders
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $65
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Like Bo Jackson, another two-sport star whose card almost made this list, Deion Sanders was one of the most exciting athletes of that era.
There's no doubt that Sanders was by far way more exciting and dominant on the football field but he did put 9 years into MLB.
And, that's impressive...
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.
1989 Topps #647 Randy Johnson Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $60
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You may be surprised that a card from a period of massive print runs could still be worth so much.
But it's true...
If you can land one of the Tiffany versions of this Randy Johnson rookie card in perfect condition then you've definitely got something.
Topps released these premium Tiffany cards in limited numbers of factory sets so there just aren't as many of them around compared to the base sets.
That extra scarcity combined with the Big Unit's legendary status push this card to the top of the list.
1989 Topps #650 Kirby Puckett
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $60
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You may be surprised that a card from a period of massive print runs could still be worth so much.
But it's true...
If you can land one of the Tiffany versions of this Randy Johnson rookie card in perfect condition then you've definitely got something.
Topps released these premium Tiffany cards in limited numbers of factory sets so there just aren't as many of them around compared to the base sets.
That extra scarcity combined with the Big Unit's legendary status push this card to the top of the list.
1989 Topps #343 Gary Sheffield Future Star
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $45
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It remains to be seen if Sheffield will ever make it into the Hall of Fame.
His poor defense and connections with the BALCO PED scandal have been enough to overshadow his unquestionably impressive offensive stats.
Even so, his 1989 Topps "Future Star" rookie card remains a collector favorite in this set and can hold decent value in the Tiffany version.
1989 Topps #382 John Smoltz Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $45
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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.
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.
His rookie card is one of the keys to this set and can be worth hundreds of dollars in the Tiffany version.
1989 Topps #49 Craig Biggio Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35
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I remember growing up watching Biggio play and thinking how versatile he was.
He may not have had the power that some of the big name sluggers of the day had but he was still exciting to watch.
Defensively, he could play pretty much anywhere.
And he was a stud on the basepaths racking up tons of stolen bases and scoring 100 or more runs almost every year from the mid-1990's into the 2000's.
His rookie card may not be the most expensive in the set but it's still very much one of the keys to own.
1989 Topps Baseball Cards In Review
So there you have it, the ten most valuable 1989 Topps cards.
As you can see, it will take them being professionally graded in gem mint condition to be worth much.
It's a great set overall and features rookie cards of several Hall of Famers and stars of the day.
Within the set were also several different subsets, including:
- All-Stars
- Checklists
- Future Stars
- Manager Cards
- Record Breakers
- Turn Back The Clock
While many of the cards in this set are basically worthless in today's market, it really is a pretty decent set overall.
And for those of us who grew up collecting these as kids, they'll always have a huge nostalgic factor to them despite not having the most monetary value.
