1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr.

DrLou · December 22, 2009 3:20PM

What can I say, I believe this is the greatest card ever produced in recent times, can any modern card every compare? i don't think so

VitoCo1972 · December 22, 2009 3:29PM

Lou, I have a theory on why people still think that it's a fantastic card.

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I believe that picture is the look of a young kid that everyone knows is going to be great and then wound up meeting/exceeding all expectations. The picture that it always reminded me of was the 1948 Bowman Stan Musial card. It was the really young can't-miss kid who would up becoming what everyone dreamed he would be.

It's historical significance can certainly be attributed to the height of the 1980's rookie speculation era except that this is the one that REALLY panned out.

It's also card #1 in the first set produced by Upper Deck - a company that really pushed the industry for a few years and still exists.

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For a detractor, you can certainly say that you can find better photography. You can find more valuable cards. And the set is massively overproduced.

That said, I always enjoy seeing that card come out of a pack.

happy holidays

DrLou · December 22, 2009 3:33PM

Thanks VitoCo1972. Your points are well takin. This card is the '52 Mantle for post babyboomers and will never lose it luster so help me god as every other card from this era is utterly worthless!

VintageCardLover · December 22, 2009 3:42PM

probably the most recognizable rc of the last 20 years, but terribly overproduced it will never accrue much more in value, i think a lot of folks can chime in with modern cards that not only compare but exceed the Griffey in collectability and investment potential.

DrLou · December 22, 2009 3:48PM

Truth be told I know its market value is never going to blowup more than $25 or so except on high-end PSA samples but from a pure collectors standpoint I think this card will always be wildly popular

jacksoncoupage · December 22, 2009 4:45PM

<< Thanks VitoCo1972. every other card from this era is utterly worthless! >>

100% wrongness.

Great card though.

nightcrawler · December 22, 2009 5:13PM

I personally feel the greatest RCs and all other cards are action shots, not mug shots. Bobby Orr not included.

I'm not arguing your opinion with regard to the Griffey because it's the only Griffey from 89, and an rc of a very great player.

Your question... "can any modern card compare"? My opinion, yes, in an artistic way.

With total disregard to monetary signifigance, The Griffey is one of my most hated.

Here's my favorite rc from only a year later.

gecko109 · December 22, 2009 6:02PM

<< I personally feel the greatest RCs and all other cards are action shots, not mug shots. Bobby Orr not included.

I'm not arguing your opinion with regard to the Griffey because it's the only Griffey from 89, and an rc of a very great player.

Your question... "can any modern card compare"? My opinion, yes, in an artistic way.

With total disregard to monetary signifigance, The Griffey is one of my most hated.

Here's my favorite rc from only a year later.

>>

" because it's the only Griffey from 89"

Say what?

nightcrawler · December 22, 2009 6:28PM

<< " because it's the only Griffey from 89"

Say what? >>

Sorry, I've never really looked into the Griffey's. I better check if Griffey has a action shot from that year???

nightcrawler · December 22, 2009 6:51PM

<< " because it's the only Griffey from 89"

Say what? >>

I'm just in disbelief???

How in the world can the UD card be more sought after than the Score card??? And good call on me gecko guy.

The below card makes the Upper Deck card less than great by far...

lsutigers1973 · December 22, 2009 10:50PM

The 89 UD Griffey was mass produced just like the Fleer, Donruss, Score, TT, Donruss BB, Score R&T...etc. However, 89 UD was the first premium quality set produced with the highest ever price tag per pack at the time and was released right in the middle of the sports card boom era.

The hype around Griffey and that card in particular started before the set was even released. Plus, the rest of Griffey's rookies were all on cheap card stock with crappy photos. If I'm not mistaken, the pic for the UD Griffey was taken right after he was drafted and before he ever took a swing in a game at a professional level.

Lot's of modern mystique for a card that cost less than a penny to produce.

jeffcbay · December 22, 2009 11:00PM

This one is a better IA shot:

Nothing beats the UD RC though... classic card.

WinPitcher · December 22, 2009 11:25PM

Let us not forget the thousands that the UD executives 'made' when the card took off so they could
'cash' in. The card is crap. The player is/was outstanding.

Steve

lsutigers1973 · December 22, 2009 11:32PM

<< The card is crap. >>

Hate when the old guys jump in on the modern card discussions.

Have some more coffee Steve.

WinPitcher · December 22, 2009 11:37PM

lol I am currently building a 03 Topps set so I am far from a modern hater.

I just never liked anything about UD. From the fact they took our money months before

they had product to the fact that they did not ship on time to the above.

They were run by a bunch of thieves.

Not sure if they are still, but they probably are.

I'd take the 89 Score over that piece of crap.

Steve

WinPitcher · December 22, 2009 11:43PM

If it's not Scottish it's crap!

Steve

metsfan · December 23, 2009 12:12AM

It's a great card, should go down as a classic. Upper Deck created tons of hype before they came out, and did a real good job marketing 1989 Upper Deck. The price point was much higher then any other product, and many didn't think it would sell, but they were wrong!

WinPitcher · December 23, 2009 12:20AM

<<<<<<<<<<Upper Deck created tons of hype before they came out>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Then when it took off they created tons more for themselves.

Steve

Hallco · December 23, 2009 12:25AM

I still think the airbrushed cap is classic!

vladguerrero · December 23, 2009 12:48AM

<< Let us not forget the thousands that the UD executives 'made' when the card took off so they could
'cash' in. The card is crap. The player is/was outstanding.

Steve >>

+1, UD sure liked to keep the presses running and re-running on their top cards, for those interested in learning more read the book 'Card Sharks'....

itzagoner · December 23, 2009 12:53AM

UD shenanigans aside, maybe the card and the player are and always have been likeable because the face featured is not a trash-talking, egotistical, over-publicized, selfish brooder.

baseballfan · December 23, 2009 1:00AM

i still remember buying my UD griffey rookie, it was the night of an all-star game, maybe 91 or 92. paid $21 bucks and still have it.

epatmythes · December 23, 2009 1:21AM

<< DrLou wrote:

What can I say, I believe this is the greatest card ever produced in recent times, can any modern card every compare? i don't think so

>>

That one is definitely nice... but greatest card ever produced in recent times?!?!?! Can any modern card *even* compare????

I do think so!

I'll take a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie over the Jr. all day... just saying

TurbosHockey · December 23, 2009 2:27AM

Ahh good old Fallon taken number 2 in the draft behind Lindros.

lsutigers1973 · December 23, 2009 2:34AM

<< I'll take a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie over the Jr. all day... just saying >>

Not for $25 you won't.

minnesotahusker · December 23, 2009 2:54AM

I still remember the joy of pulling 2 Griffey UD rookies out of the same pack. At the time, it was a $10 card, but to a youngster (16 at the time) that was real money. Date money.

WinPitcher · December 23, 2009 3:23AM

Not to derail the thread but how is everything going Husker?

Ok I hope?

Steve

TheVon · December 23, 2009 3:24AM

<< I still remember the joy of pulling 2 Griffey UD rookies out of the same pack. At the time, it was a $10 card, but to a youngster (16 at the time) that was real money. Date money. >>

That comment totally resonates with me. I was buying 89 UD packs as soon as I had cash and I kept hoping to pull Griffeys and Jerome Waltons so I could flip them for more packs, gas money, and date money. I had a pretty good run there for a while too.

Years later I paid for my honeymoon by selling the rest of my Griffeys. I wish I'd kept one though.

The card still reminds me of exciting times in the hobby and for those of us at the right age in 1989 I'm sure it will always be a specail card even if it also now reminds us of when buying new cards took a turn for the worse.

minnesotahusker · December 23, 2009 5:27AM

<< Not to derail the thread but how is everything going Husker?

Ok I hope?

Steve >>

I should post an update on the original thread. But as for now, she went back to work Monday. Had an appt. with a physical therapist yesterday, I have to leave in 10 minutes to take her to our family doctor (she hasn't been cleared to drive yet) for an appt. Then next week she has a follow-up with a trauma doctor. She still has lots of pain, but it's getting better. She at least able to sleep in the bed again. And starting to lift our children (which helps me out) for just a little bit of time. On a side note, her dad was rushed to the ER two nights ago while working. His acid reflux acted up and his leg went numb. They did a stress test and some other things and found nothing. Pray for health for us and our family in the coming year. This year was crazy.

Allen · December 23, 2009 7:11AM

I really remember that card from about 1997 when it was up to $175. I currently own 28 of them and woul dlike more if anyone here has some they don't want, even in NM.

RoarIn84 · December 23, 2009 7:13AM

now THIS is a classy card! Loved the first 4 Bowman comeback years, Especially the Tiffany! (sorry for the BGS, not mine)

but i do understand yr point from a pop culture perspective....

TomGshotput · December 23, 2009 9:17AM

Baseball cards are supposed to be mass produced, so I can't see that as a negative

The first attempt at a premium level product

But we all have our personal favorites, otherwise each set could be six cards rather than 600. I like 1987 Topps Bo Jackson as the best modern card

RedHeart54 · December 23, 2009 9:28AM

I bought this card for $6 in '89 without knowing who the hell he was. My most fond memory of this card was of a group of guys at the same show ripping packs of '89 Upper Deck trying to get the Murphy error. They'd take the Griffeys and trade them to a dealer for more packs.

Don't think they ever pulled a damn Murphy.

swartz1 · December 24, 2009 7:56AM

I remember selling a PSA 8 of that card for a $100...

after the auction...the buyer sent an email and said he would buy as many as I had for that price...

wonder what he is doing now??

WinPitcher · December 24, 2009 8:10AM

Not paying 100.00 that is for sure.

Steve

1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr.

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