This isnt one of them. SGC vs. BGS vs. PSA Grading: Who Is Best in 2023? Donruss is one of the most famous baseball card brands during Griffeys era. It was never about the first card in our first set. For most, this is the Holy Grail of early Ken Griffey Jr. items. He will probably begin the 89 campaign at Triple-A Calgary since his projected half-season at Double-A Vermont in 1988 was cut short by a back injury. Forget about limitless pizza, that won't even buy you a single large. Its a common story from the era. Its one of four cards in the set that highlight MLB-playing fathers and sons. According to PSA, only 410 copies of this card with the highest possible grade exist. As far as Rookie Cards go, this one is plain except for the fact of whos on it. Look at the 1992 Upper Deck Football set #1, Dan McGwire. I have never seen mention of this card with SPIRIT in white. Rankings are based on the Beckett Baseball online price guide. And some collectors may even debate if they're truly rookie "cards" or not since they're actually magnets. 1989 Upper Deck Star Rookie KEN GRIFFEY JR. #1 PSA 9 MINT #1, 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie Card PSA 9 Mint, 1989 UPPER DECK #1 KEN GRIFFEY JR PSA 9 MINT SEATTLE MARINERS HOF ROOKIE CARD RC, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Rookie RC #1 PSA 9 MINT Mariners HOF SUPER SHARP #1, 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. RC Rookie PSA 9 HOF Centered, 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr Star Rookie RC PSA 9, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie RC #1 PSA 9 Mint #1, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr rc #1 PSA 9 HOF, PSA 9 1989 Upper Deck Star Rookie #1 Ken Griffey Jr. RC Seattle Mariners #1, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Star Rookie Card #1 Graded PSA 9 MINT #1, KEN GRIFFEY, JR. 1989 Upper Deck Rookie RC Card #1 - PSA 9 - #V021223C #1, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr BGS 9.5 Gem Mint (9, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5) rookie 3399 #1, 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Its a legitimate piece of pop culture history and easily Griffeys most recognizable card. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Stay in the know about the latest sports card, hobby news, and promotions from Beckett. Read our, 24 Ken Griffey Jr. Cards That Remind Us Why We Love Him, Griffey is actually allergic to chocolate. Everyone wanted a piece of the action. This Griffey does not. 1989 Bowman. The artistic look and colorful backgrounds have a definite Peter Max vibe to them. The Ken Griffey Jr. baseball card journey starts with this quaint team set. based in Fetus, MO, distributed these magnets that featured many different baseball and basketball players in individual plastic bags. Dont be afraid to go more in-depth in the subject? Food issues are typically not as popular as mainstream cards since they were typically only released in certain regions. Meanwhile, across the room there were single cards of card #1 being bought and sold quickly at $4-6 each. The 1993 Ken Griffey Jr., Finest Refractor card, is among the most valuable of all the Ken Griffey Jr. non-rookie cards. I cant find anything online on this but I found a 1990 Ken Griffey Jr. Topps all star rookie card but the back where the stats would be is completely missing only a black piece of unprinted cardboard. Griffey is part of a 34-card checklist covering Seattles Single-A team at the time. All rights reserved. @William The price guide can be accessed here (subscription required): https://www.beckett.com/opg. #1, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Griffey was 19 years old. June 21 st 2020: $1,177. He's also got one of the most comprehensive collections of John Jaha cards in existence (not that there are a lot of them). Perhaps it's just because they're a bit more fun to look at. Like Topps Traded and Donruss The Rookies, it came as part of a box set. The reason is that a considerable majority of the 1,397 copies of PSA received for grading have a centering issue. It's not hard to find but it does land a higher value than his other Score issues on this list. Rookie Card *SHARP & CENTERED* #1, 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. RC Rookie MARINERS, KEN GRIFFEY JR. As of May 2021, there are ~1,800 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss Rated Rookie cards and the card value is ~$400. On that note, investing in a player of Griffeys credentials and caliber is wise. Griffey was trading well over $10. The clerk thought I was crazy, but it was so worth it. Few, if any cards since 1985 had that value. His rise to fame also came at a time when the hobby was hitting its mainstream high. Ken Griffey Jr. and his beautiful swing are the highlights on the checklist. When we talk about Griffey, were talking about a multi-dimensional player. Because its believed to be slightly short printed, card #2 the one where hes holding a ball might cost a little more. While it isnt as rare as the 1989 Star Ken Griffey, Jr. 95251. Griffey is one of 50 prospects in the 1988 California League All-Stars set. I cant verify yes or no. I remember when Upper Deck hit the shelves. He was also won the American League MVP in 1997. In addition to being a first ballot Hall of Famer, Griffey Jr. aka "The Kid" had a storied career ever since he came into the league in 1989. The design is exactly the same as the base card but the card stock itself is higher quality with a glossy look and feel. Topps released this unusual test issue in 1989 that is a die-cut Griffey Jr. head that was meant to be stuck to a flat surface of your choice for display. Upper Deck 1993 Ken Griffey Jr. Ex (5) 5Th Year Anniversary Rookie Card #A1. Sharp Corners. 1989 upperdeck goes for 15 dollars a pack on ebay. For the collector who likes oddball issues like these, this is one of the more rare and pricier ones you'll find. As you read this now, its hard to imagine those five key innovations all happening overnight in one product. When you get the Gem Mint version, you have one of the best Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie sleeper cards. Those box sets didnt stop there. #1, 1989 Upper Deck Star Rookie #1 Ken Griffey Jr. RC HOF PSA 10 " FLAWLESS ", 1989 Upper Deck Rookie #1 - Ken Griffey Jr. RC - PSA GEM MINT 10, 1989 UPPER DECK STAR ROOKIE #1 KEN GRIFFEY JR. RC HOF PSA 10 A3507771-041, 1989 Upper Deck Star Rookie #1 Ken Griffey Jr. HOF PSA10 Gem Mint, 1989 Upper Deck - Ken Griffey Jr. - Iconic Star Rookie Card #1 - PSA 10 Gem. I do recall a few times when they would joke, printed the Griffey sheets again today. Like most minor league cards, its simple in its aesthetics and doesnt draw much attention to itself other than the player on the front. It shows him kneeling with a business-like look on his face. Photoshop was not released until 1990. Filling in 664 of the 700 card set would be fairly easy. Any ideas on value? Everything collectors and shop owners thought they knew up to that point was about to be turned on its head by a group of southern California businessmen, shop owners, and one key teenager who knew a lot about baseball prospects. Collectors could find other big names of the era like Don Mattingly, Mark McGwire, Ryne Sandberg and others but the Griffey is by far and away the most valuable in the set. I was at the card shop, opening packs, two of them, the fruits of my labor from sweeping the. Donruss also released a "The Rookies" set in 1989 that was pretty much the same concept as Topps Traded. Post contains affiliate links. It was like going from a rotary phone to an iPhone. Most, though, are best enjoyed for what they are rather than what theyre worth early cards of a generational talent that sparked the imagination of many and gave baseball one its most exciting role models. 5 out of 5 stars (141) $ 60.89. The back of the card reads, Kens first professional hit was a home run for Bellingham vs. Everett, 6-17-87. It gives Fleer, Topps, and Upper Deck a severe run for their money. (or at minimum, put a bid on it as these cards will have a higher ROI vs. the standard PSA 10, BGS 9.5. Most would argue the most iconic cards ever are the T-206 Honus Wagner and the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle. I cannot find anything online about this card. The PSA population report currently has 1,625 copies of this card with a Gem Mint rating. His rookie cards are coveted by collectors across the globe and have been in the dreams of kids since 1989, particularly the legendary 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck Rookie Card. Still, many agreed that the COVID-19 virus had much to do with it as collectors had ample time to sit around and browse baseball card listing on eBay (the stimulus check didnt hurt either). Rookie Card Graded BGS 9.5 Gem Mint #220, 1989 UPPER DECK KEN GRIFFEY JR. #1 ROOKIE RC BGS 9.5, 9.5, 9, 9 MINT! As he put his initial checklist together, Griffey was always the guy for me.. The Mantle was a double print with estimates in the tens of thousands or more. Where do you go to get the best quality grading on these and how can you trust that when you send it or give it to a dealer it wont be switched? The set contains 56 cards but Griffey's is by far the key. See Also: 24 Ken Griffey Jr. Cards That Remind Us Why We Love Him. Free shipping on many items . On the rare occasion these come up for sale, they can sell for huge money. The back shows his stats during his. These facets highlight The Kids radiant smile in the photo. Griffeys minor league stats and some trivia. Some collectors consider the design to be a bit dark and bland overall. Rookie RC Seattle Mariners HOF (a) #1, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr (RC) #1 #1, Ken Griffey Jr. DEAD CENTERED! Since 1981, Topps, Donruss, and Fleer had released standard card sets in wax packaging. Info on Beckett Grading can be found at beckett.com/grading. 1989 was really the perfect storm for Griffey and his cards. Amazon.com: Ken Griffey Jr Upper Deck Card 1-48 of over 1,000 results for "Ken Griffey Jr Upper Deck Card" RESULTS Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. We are user supported. Ken Griffey Jr. [Star Rookie] prices (Baseball Cards 1989 Upper Deck) are updated daily for each source listed above. 1 with a purple hat and 1 with a purple hat and border where the green is supposed to be. While not as common as the main set, its still far from rare. If you do not receive the verification code within 60 Seconds, we will send you the activation link again. See an incorrect/misclassified sale? Other than that, flawless article, Ryan! Loose, CIB, and New prices are the current market price. Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards are one of the top investments in the hobby from an ROI perspective. However, the Tiffany version benefits from a relatively limited print run (although not confirmed like some other Topps Tiffany sets, it's believed to be 15,000 copies) and a glossy finish. 1980s Baseball Cards, Beckett Grading Services, Collecting Tips. He was a two-way player in every sense of the word. And the rest is history. I was hanging out at a card shop in Bellingham, WA 1990 and had an off centered one and began talking to a young maybe 9 yr. old who couldnt believe I had one. Rookie Card #33 should give you an excellent return after a few years. 1989 Topps was selling for $0.45 a pack. Were not saying sell all your stock and buy Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards, but we are saying this card (and other high-end sports card investments: read our best sports cards to buy now write-up) makes for an excellent hedge against the stock market losses. The 1989 Classic Travel Orange came as part of a factory set that came in a blister pack. The front of the card shows a young Junior getting ready to swing for the fences. Rookie Cards are, theyre not immune to the basic laws of supply and demand. Rookie Card. Classic's purple version is much more interesting to look at than the orange as Griffey Jr. is showcased in an action shot at bat. HIGH SUBS #1, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr #1 BGS 9.5 Gem Mint RC #1, 1989 Upper Deck Baseball #1 Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card Graded BGS 9.5 Gem Mint #1, 1989 UPPER DECK STAR ROOKIE #1 KEN GRIFFEY JR. RC MARINERS HOF BGS 9.5 A5247-501, 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr RC Bgs 9.5 Gem Mint! Your Account has been confirmed and activated successfully. When you get the Gem Mint version, you have one of the best Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie sleeper cards. Along with the flagship Donruss set, Griffey also appeared in the smaller (336 cards in total) "Baseball's Best" box set that Donruss released through retail stores that year. I saw an SGC 100 go for roughly $5500 in an auction recently. A collector for much of his life, Ryan focuses primarily on building sets, Montreal Expos and interesting cards. Your Account has been confirmed and activated successfully. $52.00. He moved on to Classic Games until 1998, when he started SA-GE Sportscards with Robert Sadlak. The reverse of the card gives some interesting projections for his different rookie cards and even shows an image of his Donruss rookie in the upper right corner. Anyone find a Griffey Jr in a High Series Box? I have 2 Ken Griffey Jr. It was the object of affection for the golden age of baseball, and serious collectors rank it similar to the iconic T206 Honus Wagner and 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball cards. Donruss didnt stop there with their 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. cards. In terms of price, it wont create a severe dent in your wallet. The eBay advanced search is our preferred option, or you can also drop us an email, and we will do the work for you (which is the easiest way, in our opinion). Boxes could be had at $14 to $16. Ken Griffey, Jr. made headlines in the major leagues for 22 seasons. I have been seeing a few of the Upper Deck Ken Griffey JR #1 rookie cards, but in Black and White and being portrayed as a rare error test run. Much like the Bowman and Topps Tiffany releases, Fleer also produced a premium version of their cards that year. His 1989 Upper Deck Rookie Card is one of the most famous cards in the hobby, ranking right up there with Jordan, Jeter, and Brady regarding popularity search on Google. How to Spot Which 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. If you have any questions or need help buying a Griffey Jr. RC, please email us at info@goldcardauctions.com and title the email Griffey RC Advice, and we will expedite the response if you cite this write-up. 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. (Star Rookie) #1 PSA Gem Mint 10. KEN GRIFFEY JR PSA 10 1989 UPPER DECK BASEBALL #1 STAR ROOKIE MARINERS RC 7285, PSA 10 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr Star Rookie RC Mariners, KEN GRIFFEY JR. STAR ROOKIE [PSA 10] 1989 UPPER DECK, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. The regular 1989 Topps Traded Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card suffers from being massively overproduced. Then, there were two different print runs of the complete factory set, the one with the clear cello wrap and one with just the clear disc shaped sticker on the box. $112.50. He was young, good-looking, big smile, five-tools with a gorgeous swing, top draft pick and noted son of a World Series Champion. The scarcest of the Fleer Glossy baseball sets, its still estimated that about 30,000 were produced. As more collectors come to recognize just how iconic Griffey was and they look to reconnect with the cards they used to chase, these have grown exponentially. There are only about 60 Wagners. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Stay in the know about the latest sports card, hobby news, and promotions from Beckett. Good Times. 1989 Donruss Baseballs Best looks a lot like the brands regular set. In terms of price, it wont create a severe dent in your wallet. They also make the card susceptible to corner and edge damage. Theyre also much more common. There can be exceptions, but not too much with mis-cuts. Seattle eventually traded him to the Reds for pitcher Brett Tomko, outfielder Mike Cameron, and minor league players Antonio Perez and Jake Meyer on February 10, 2000. Low Risk/High Return in the long term | Moderate Risk/Moderate Return in the short term (prices have fallen from all-time highs over the last few months, and now would be a good time to buy back in for short term flippers (but use caution and exercise bankroll management). Despite this cards Gem Mint version having more copies than the 1989 Star Ken Griffey, Jr. #1 Checklist White Back Rookie Card, it commands almost twice the market value on average. Us Why We Love Him Jr. non-rookie cards in wax packaging Jr... Its believed to be a bit dark and bland overall they were only! Not since they 're actually magnets wont create a severe dent in your wallet T-206. Bit more fun to look at the time on that note, investing in a player of credentials. A factory set that came in a high Series box team set in a blister pack have... The 1992 Upper Deck Ken Griffey, Jr. made headlines in the?. Wagner and the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle and interesting cards it was like going from a phone! 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