Iconic Cards II: 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr.

For many 30-something year-old collectors, the 1989 Upper Deck set was a huge leap forward in card collecting. While this collector favors Topps sets, there is no denying that the quality of the 1989 Upper Deck was well ahead of its Topps, Donruss, Fleer, and Bowman counterparts. The most prized card of this set is of course Ken Griffey's rookie card.


As Mr. Griffey is (hopefully) on the verge of signing a contract to rejoin the Mariners to end his illustrious career, his impact on the game cannot be understated. For many a fan today, Griffey represents what baseball should be--a truly talented player who did not need PEDs or steroids to compete. It is unfortunate that his historical legacy will be somewhat minimized based on the presence of controversial players such as Bonds, Clemens, and A-Rod, among others. But for fans who have lost some respect for the game, Griffey stands out as a truly terrific ballplayer and a role model for the next generation of collectors.