The Most Valuable 1989 Bowman Baseball Cards (PSA 10 Prices)
The 1989 Bowman baseball card set marked the brand’s return to the hobby after a 34-year hiatus. Known for its oversized card dimensions and classic design, the set combined a nostalgic aesthetic with the excitement of emerging stars and established legends. While some collectors were initially put off by the unusual size (making storage more difficult), the 1989 Bowman release has gained traction over the years—especially due to the rookie card of Ken Griffey Jr., one of the most iconic players of the era.
Below is a list of the most valuable cards from the 1989 Bowman set in PSA 10 condition, complete with population data and career significance.
1. Ken Griffey Jr. #220 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $350–$450
PSA 10 Population: 2,593
Significance: This is one of the most important rookie cards of the late 1980s. Ken Griffey Jr. captivated fans with his smooth swing, speed, and defensive excellence in center field. A 13-time All-Star and Hall of Famer, "The Kid" hit 630 career home runs and earned 10 Gold Gloves. His 1989 Bowman rookie is a cornerstone for collectors chasing greatness from the junk wax era.
2. Bo Jackson #126
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $70–$100
PSA 10 Population: 113
Significance: Bo Jackson was a true two-sport phenomenon, excelling in both Major League Baseball and the NFL. As an MLB All-Star and Heisman Trophy winner, Jackson’s unmatched athleticism and power turned him into a cultural icon. Despite injuries cutting his career short, Bo remains one of the most electrifying figures in sports history, and this card captures him at the peak of his legend.
3. Ken Griffey #259
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $50–$80
PSA 10 Population: 691
Significance: Although this card features Ken Griffey Sr., the photo includes a young Ken Griffey Jr. standing beside his father—making it a favorite for Griffey collectors. The image represents baseball lineage and one of the rare father-son duos to play in the majors at the same time. It’s a memorable piece of hobby history tied to a Hall of Fame family.
4. Nolan Ryan #225
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $45–$60
PSA 10 Population: 454
Significance: Nolan Ryan holds MLB records for career strikeouts (5,714) and no-hitters (7), and he pitched in four different decades. Known for his longevity and overpowering fastball, Ryan became a symbol of dominance and durability. His 1989 Bowman card showcases the fire and focus of a living legend still going strong into his 40s.
5. Greg Maddux #284
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $45–$60
PSA 10 Population: 90
Significance: Greg Maddux revolutionized pitching with his command, intelligence, and movement rather than velocity. A four-time Cy Young Award winner and 18-time Gold Glove recipient, Maddux won over 350 games and was the ace of the dominant Braves rotation in the 1990s. This card offers an early look at one of the most cerebral pitchers the game has ever seen.
6. Barry Bonds #426
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40–$60
PSA 10 Population: 132
Significance: Barry Bonds is MLB’s all-time home run leader with 762. A seven-time MVP, Bonds combined power and plate discipline like no one before. While his career remains controversial, there is no denying his impact on the game. His 1989 Bowman card captures him in the early stages of his transformation into one of the most feared hitters of all time.
7. Jose Canseco #201
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40–$50
PSA 10 Population: 26
Significance: Jose Canseco became the first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season. An MVP and six-time All-Star, Canseco was a towering figure during the peak of baseball’s power era. His popularity during the late ’80s and early ’90s was unmatched, making his cards highly sought-after at the time.
8. Ozzie Smith #436
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35–$50
PSA 10 Population: 50
Significance: Known as "The Wizard," Ozzie Smith dazzled fans with his acrobatic plays at shortstop. A 15-time All-Star and 13-time Gold Glove winner, Smith is considered one of the greatest defensive players in baseball history. His 1989 Bowman card is a fitting tribute to a player whose glove work defined an era.
9. Doc Gooden #376
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35–$50
PSA 10 Population: 41
Significance: Dwight "Doc" Gooden exploded onto the scene as a teenage phenom, winning the 1984 Rookie of the Year and the 1985 Cy Young Award with a 1.53 ERA. Gooden remains one of the most talented pitchers of his generation. This card serves as a reminder of his early brilliance and dominant presence on the mound.
10. Rickey Henderson #181
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35–$45
PSA 10 Population: 123
Significance: Rickey Henderson is MLB’s all-time leader in stolen bases, runs scored, and leadoff home runs. A 10-time All-Star and former MVP, Henderson brought unmatched swagger and disruption to the basepaths. His 1989 Bowman card captures a veteran speedster who was still in the midst of rewriting the record books.
11. Darryl Strawberry #387
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35–$45
PSA 10 Population: 25
12. Don Mattingly #176
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35–$45
PSA 10 Population: 137
13. Gregg Jefferies #381
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$45
PSA 10 Population: 27
14. Fernando Valenzuela #337
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$40
PSA 10 Population: 19
15. Mike Schmidt #402
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$40
PSA 10 Population: 158
16. Cal Ripken Jr. #9
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$40
PSA 10 Population: 239
17. John Smoltz #266 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$40
PSA 10 Population: 546
18. Fred McGriff #253
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$40
PSA 10 Population: 17
19. Tino Martinez #211 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$40
PSA 10 Population: 81
20. Edgar Martinez #216
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35
PSA 10 Population: 48
21. Mark Grace #291 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35
PSA 10 Population: 31
22. Ryne Sandberg #290
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$35
PSA 10 Population: 65
23. Tom Glavine #267
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$35
PSA 10 Population: 92
24. Gary Sheffield #142 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$35
PSA 10 Population: 206
25. Mark McGwire #197
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$35
PSA 10 Population: 104
26. Robin Ventura #65 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30
PSA 10 Population: 68
27. Alan Trammell #105
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30
PSA 10 Population: 49
28. George Brett #121
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$30
PSA 10 Population: 110
29. Kirby Puckett #162
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$30
PSA 10 Population: 143
30. Jim Abbott #39 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$30
PSA 10 Population: 80
31. Tony Gwynn #461
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$30
PSA 10 Population: 76
32. Robin Yount #144
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$30
PSA 10 Population: 78
Final Thoughts
The 1989 Bowman baseball set is an important time capsule in the hobby—merging legends of the past with icons of the future. The return of the Bowman brand, highlighted by Ken Griffey Jr.'s rookie card, elevated the set’s long-term appeal. With a mix of generational talent and memorable photography (including family connections like the Griffeys), the 1989 Bowman release holds a firm place in the hearts of collectors seeking both nostalgia and value.
