Seeing the recent articles about Ken Griffey’s Jr. 1989 Upper Deck rookie card as well as seeing the 2014 Topps tribute to the 1989 set reminded me that a quarter century has passed since the 1989 Upper Deck Griffey #1 rookie card was the most in-demand card the hobby had probably ever seen. Despite what is now known to be 
sufficient quantities, there always seemed to be someone—especially youngsters– wanting to purchase one of these cards for their collection.
At one time, this was the most heavily graded card in the secondary market. The card features a beautiful, albeit graphically altered head shot of Griffey and later became an iconic card for helping to usher a new era of baseball cards with better production values.
Everything about the 1989 Upper Deck Griffey card that we liked in 1989 still rings true today. And Griffey was one of the many players who took financial advantage of being able to sign his autographs for card companies and not have to make public appearances for those purposes.
ESPN talked with Junior on Wednesday about his rookie card:
Despite a huge quantity of these on the market, they still sell. Many go to 1980s/90s youngsters reliving their childhood. Others are purchased for sets and others sell to those who just want one of the most important cards ever created.
There is currently a BGS 10 card available and in cooperation with eBay, it’s our Card of the Day.
To see other Griffey Jr. rookie cards, click here.
Rich Klein can be reached at [email protected]
