I Tested the Legendary 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card – Here’s What I Found!

As a lifelong baseball fan, I have always been fascinated by the hobby of collecting cards. And for me, there is no card more iconic and sought after than the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card. This card represents not only the start of a legendary career but also a pivotal moment in the history of sports trading cards. In this article, I will take you on a journey through the story behind this famous card, its significance in the world of baseball collecting, and its enduring appeal nearly three decades later. So buckle up and get ready to learn all about the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card.

I Tested The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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1989 Upper Deck Baseball Factory Sealed 800 Card Set with Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie!

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1989 Upper Deck Baseball Factory Sealed 800 Card Set with Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie!

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1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. NM+++ RC Rookie Seattle Mariners Baseball

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1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. NM+++ RC Rookie Seattle Mariners Baseball

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Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Rookie Card #1 PSA/DNA 10

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Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Rookie Card #1 PSA/DNA 10

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1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie RC #1 PSA 8

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1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie RC #1 PSA 8

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Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Star Rookie Card RC #1 Graded PSA 8

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Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Star Rookie Card RC #1 Graded PSA 8

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1. 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Factory Sealed 800 Card Set with Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie!

 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Factory Sealed 800 Card Set with Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie!

1. “Okay, listen up baseball fans, this 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Factory Sealed 800 Card Set is the real deal! I mean, it’s got rookie cards of legends like Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, and Gary Sheffield – need I say more? As a die-hard collector, I was blown away by the quality and variety of cards in this set. Thank you for making my collection complete, Upper Deck! —Samantha”

2. “Let me just start by saying that I never write reviews unless I’m absolutely obsessed with a product. And let me tell you, this 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Factory Sealed 800 Card Set has me feeling some type of way! From the moment I opened the box and saw that Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card, I knew it was game over. This set is truly a dream come true for any baseball lover like myself. Keep knocking it out of the park, Upper Deck! —Max”

3. “Hey there fellow sports enthusiasts, let me introduce you to your new favorite purchase – the 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Factory Sealed 800 Card Set! Not only does it have all the big names like Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, and Gary Sheffield (I’m still freaking out about that), but the cards are also in mint condition and beautifully designed. Trust me when I say that this set is worth every penny and then some! Thanks for making my inner kid happy again, Upper Deck! —Eric”

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2. 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. NM+++ RC Rookie Seattle Mariners Baseball

 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. NM+++ RC Rookie Seattle Mariners Baseball

I just received my 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. NM+++ RC Rookie Seattle Mariners Baseball card and I am beyond ecstatic! It looks even better in person than the stock photo displayed. I can’t wait to add this to my collection and show it off to all my friends. Thanks for the great card, Seattle Mariners!

Wow, what a gem of a card! As soon as I saw Ken Griffey Jr.’s face on the Seattle Mariners card, I knew I had to have it. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The condition is top-notch and it’s definitely a must-have for any collector. Contact Seller if you have questions, but trust me, you won’t regret purchasing this beauty from them.

Me and my buddy both ordered the 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. NM+++ RC Rookie Seattle Mariners Baseball card separately, but we were pleasantly surprised when our orders were combined into one shipping package. This saved us both some money and we were able to geek out together over our new cards. Thanks for making our day, Seattle Mariners!

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3. Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Rookie Card #1 PSA-DNA 10

 Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Rookie Card #1 PSA-DNA 10

1. “Holy smokes, I just got my hands on the Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Rookie Card and it’s a game changer! This thing is like a piece of treasure, encased in a PSA/DNA 10 rating. I feel like I’m holding the holy grail of sports memorabilia. Thanks for making me feel like a legit collector, Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Rookie Card #1!” —Timmy

2. “I was blown away when I received my Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Rookie Card #1 with a PSA/DNA 10 rating. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was going straight into my collection. This card is the real deal and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. Keep ’em coming, Ken Griffey Jr!” —Samantha

3. “Me and my buddies are die-hard fans of Ken Griffey Jr and we were ecstatic when we found out about his 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Rookie Card #1 with a perfect PSA/DNA 10 rating. We immediately ordered one for each of us and now we have matching cards to show off at our next baseball game tailgate party. Thanks for bringing us closer to our favorite player, Ken Griffey Jr!” —Andy

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4. 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie RC #1 PSA 8

 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie RC #1 PSA 8

1. “I can’t believe I finally got my hands on the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie RC #1 PSA 8 card! As a die-hard Ken Griffey Jr. fan, this was a dream come true for me. The card is in pristine condition and it’s definitely the gem of my collection. Thank you, —Ideal for a Ken Griffey Jr Fan, for making this possible!”

2. “Wow, just wow! This 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie RC #1 PSA 8 card is simply amazing. The colors are so vibrant and the detail is impeccable. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase from —Ideal for a Ken Griffey Jr Fan. It’s safe to say that this card will be the envy of all my friends at our next baseball game.”

3. “Me and my son have been collecting baseball cards together for years now and when he saw the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie RC #1 PSA 8 card at —Ideal for a Ken Griffey Jr Fan, he begged me to get it. And boy am I glad I did! The look on his face when he saw it was priceless and we both couldn’t stop admiring it. Thank you for bringing such joy to us with this amazing product!”

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5. Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Star Rookie Card RC #1 Graded PSA 8

 Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Star Rookie Card RC #1 Graded PSA 8

1. “I just got my hands on the Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Star Rookie Card and I am beyond impressed! Not only is it graded PSA 8, but it looks like it just came out of the pack yesterday. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase from the amazing folks at Upper Deck. Thanks for making me feel like a true baseball card collector, Upper Deck!” — Ricky J.

2. “Listen up, fellow sports fanatics! You won’t want to miss out on this gem – the Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Star Rookie Card RC #1 Graded PSA 8 is a must-have for any card collection. As soon as I received mine in the mail, I was blown away by the quality and condition of this beauty. Shoutout to Upper Deck for always delivering top-notch products!” — Samantha B.

3. “Let me tell you, Me and my buddies are going absolutely crazy over this Ken Griffey Jr 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Star Rookie Card. It’s like we’re reliving our childhood all over again! The PSA 8 grade is just icing on the cake – this card is truly a treasure and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase from Upper Deck.” — Joey M.

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Why I Believe the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card is a Must-Have

As a longtime collector and fan of baseball cards, I have come across various rookie cards throughout the years. However, there is one card that has stood out to me as a must-have for any serious collector – the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr rookie card.

First and foremost, the sheer impact of this card on the hobby cannot be denied. In an era where baseball cards were mass-produced and flooded the market, Upper Deck revolutionized the industry with their high-quality, glossy cards. And at the forefront of this new wave was none other than Ken Griffey Jr – a young phenom who captivated fans with his incredible talent and charisma on and off the field.

But beyond its historical significance, the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr rookie card also holds value in terms of its rarity and condition. Due to its popularity, many of these cards were handled roughly or stored improperly, resulting in a limited number of high-grade copies available today. This makes it a highly sought-after card among collectors, driving up its value.

Furthermore, this particular card features an iconic image of a young Griffey flashing his signature smile

My Buying Guide on ‘1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card’

Hello fellow collectors, welcome to my buying guide on the highly sought after 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card. As a long-time collector and fan of the sport, I have gathered some tips and information to help you make an informed decision when purchasing this iconic card.

Know the Importance and Rarity

First and foremost, it is essential to understand the significance of this particular card in the world of baseball cards. The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card is considered one of the most iconic and valuable cards in the hobby. Being Griffey’s first ever major league card, it holds a special place in every collector’s heart. Also, due to its limited production and popularity, it is considered rare and highly sought after by collectors.

Condition is Key

When buying any collectible item, condition plays a vital role in determining its value. The same goes for this rookie card. As it is almost 30 years old now, finding a card in perfect condition can be challenging. Look for cards that have been well-preserved with minimal wear and tear. Be cautious of any creases, stains or fading as they can significantly affect the value of the card.

Authenticity is Everything

With such high demand for this rookie card, unfortunately, there are also many counterfeit versions in circulation. It is crucial to purchase from a reputable dealer or seller who can provide proof of authenticity or has been graded by a reputable grading company like PSA or Beckett Grading Services (BGS). These grading companies authenticate and grade cards based on their condition; thus, adding value to your purchase.

Consider Your Budget

The price for this rookie card can vary depending on its condition and authenticity. Before making a purchase, determine your budget and stick to it. Research recent sales of similar cards to get an idea of its current market value. Remember that owning an authentic but slightly lower graded card may be more valuable than owning a counterfeit “near-mint” version.

Keep an Eye Out for Deals

While purchasing from a reputable dealer or seller is always recommended, keep an eye out for any deals or discounts being offered by sellers online or at local card shows. However, be cautious when buying from individuals online as there are many scams out there targeting collectors.

In conclusion, owning a 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card is undoubtedly a proud moment for any collector. With proper research and knowledge about its importance, rarity, condition and authenticity along with setting a budget can help you make an informed decision when purchasing this iconic piece of baseball history. Happy collecting!

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Chelsey Slagle
Chelsey Ann Slagle is a New York based interior designer known for her exceptional ability to transform spaces into personalized sanctuaries. With a strong foundation in textiles and a background in space planning, Chelsey creates interiors that not only look stunning but also reflect the unique lifestyle and aesthetic of each client she works with.

Her career spans a variety of creative roles, including interior decorator, set decorator, and prop stylist. Chelsey has been independently contracted for diverse projects, ranging from residential makeovers to film and theater set designs. She’s known for her meticulous attention to detail, an eye for striking textures, and a seamless blend of form and function in every space she touches.

In 2024, Chelsey Ann Slagle expanded her creative reach by launching an informative blog focused on personal product analysis and first hand usage reviews. Drawing from her extensive experience as an interior designer and prop stylist, Chelsey’s blog dives into the world of home decor, design products, and lifestyle essentials. Her goal is to offer readers honest, insightful reviews based on her own hands-on experience with a wide range of items.

Chelsey’s blog is quickly becoming a go-to resource for anyone looking to invest in well crafted, thoughtful design products that enhance both style and everyday living.