Why The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Could Be Worth $10,000 By 2030
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There's many talking heads in the hobby who are more than happy to dish out hot takes and up to the minute updates on which way the winds in the hobby are blowing. That's not the purpose of this article - only to give a prediction of one card in particular based on how the broader market is trending and the multiple factors surrounding the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. This isn't investment advice and this prediction could end up being completely wrong - but there's a good chance, based on what you're about to read, that it's right on target.
UPPER DECK 1989 KEN GRIFFEY JR.
Over the past year, the 1989 Upper Deck rookie has exploded in price - a gem-mint copy currently goes for between $4,000 and $5,000. The sports card market has been on a tear the last year but that's not the only explanation. Sure, a rising tide does lift all boats but sooner or later the tide will go out - the question becomes, why does Griffey Jr.'s iconic rookie stand a good chance of continuing to rise in value?
Griffey Jr.'s rookie is up there with Michael Jordan's 1986 Fleer card in terms of instant recognizability. Both cards are iconic and both were mass produced during the "junk wax" era. Jordan's rookie has steadily appreciated over the years, and now Griffey's is also on the move. Many collectors who grew up in the 70s and 80s are on the chase for nostalgia and now have the disposable income to realize the dreams they had as children. It's a great feeling to have cards in your collection that remind you of good times and of the athletes you idolized as a kid.
As more and more new fans and collectors enter the hobby, they're going to be drawn to the best. Griffey Jr. is one of the iconic athletes, certainly of his time, if not over the last 100 years. In addition, there's growing evidence that investors are coming into the hobby and seeking out both one of a kind cards, as well as cards that show high potential for a return on investment. Griffey's card definitely offers this in spades. Last but certainly not least, as the card continues to increase in value, the time-honored "fear of missing out" will come into play. Collectors will continue to dive in as the worry about being too late to the party causes more to buy in before it's "too late".
Of course, a lot could happen between now and 2030 which could negatively affect not just Griffey's card prices, but sports cards in general. The larger economy could tank, sports cards themselves could suddenly fall out of favor - if a lock out in baseball happens next year, that most likely will mean nothing good for the hobby. In spite of these "what ifs", Griffey's Upper Deck rookie on the way to $10,000. Let's check back in 2030.
Brian Hough became a fan of the hobby by opening packs of 1986 Donruss and 1987 Topps baseball with his dad and little brother. He has been writing about the collectibles industry for years, initially as a price guide editor for Tuff Stuff Magazine, which was a monthly sports magazine focused on sports cards and collectibles, particularly known for its price guides and checklists, that initially launched in April 1984.