Randy Johnson Rookie Baseball Cards: Values & Price Guide
Hey guys! Matt here, and today we’re looking at the highest-selling recently sold Randy Johnson rookie cards. Now, Randy Johnson, affectionately known as “The Big Unit,” is one of baseball’s most iconic pitchers. His rookie cards are some of the best rookies from the Junk Wax Era to collect, despite having a high supply.
Before we get into the list, let’s look at Randy Johnson’s career real quick and see how much of an impact he made to the game.
Player Analysis: Randy Johnson for Rookie Card Investors
Randy Johnson’s career statistics paint a picture of one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history, making his rookie cards a compelling option for investors. Let’s delve into the stats that bolster the investment potential of his rookie cards:
Dominance on the Mound
- Career Summary: Over 22 seasons, Johnson recorded a 3.29 ERA and 4,875 strikeouts in 4,135.1 innings pitched. His WHIP (Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched) stands at an impressive 1.171, indicating his efficiency and effectiveness in limiting base runners.
- Strikeout King: Johnson’s SO9 (strikeouts per nine innings) rate of 10.6 is a testament to his overpowering pitching style. He consistently struck out more than a batter per inning throughout his career, showcasing his dominance.
Peak Performance and Consistency
- Best Seasons: Johnson’s peak years include his time with the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks. In Seattle, he maintained a 3.42 ERA with 2,162 strikeouts, while in Arizona, he improved to a 2.83 ERA and racked up 2,077 strikeouts.
- Awards and Recognition: His career includes five Cy Young Awards, indicative of being the best pitcher in his league. He was also a ten-time All-Star, further cementing his status as an elite player.
Historical Significance
- Hall of Fame Inductee: Johnson’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015 adds significant historical value to his rookie cards. Hall of Famers typically see a consistent interest and value appreciation in the memorabilia market.
Investment Outlook
- Potential for Growth: Given his career achievements and status as one of the game’s all-time great pitchers, Johnson’s rookie cards hold potential for growth in value, especially well-graded ones.
- Market Trends: Johnson’s rookie cards from the 1989 set, particularly those graded PSA 10 GEM MINT, are currently accessible to a wide range of investors, making them an attractive option for both new and seasoned collectors.
Without any further ado, let’s jump into this list!
1989 Fleer Update Randy Johnson RC #U-59
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2023
- Sale Price: $20
➡️ Compare prices of this Randy Johnson Rookie Card on eBay
Overview: The 1989 Fleer Update RC is not Johnson’s most valuable rookie card by any means, however it is a rookie and similar to the Topps Update features him in his Seattle Mariners uniform.
Supply: PSA has graded 3,801 of the 1989 Fleer Update Randy Johnson rookie with 862 grading gem mint 10, 2,163 mint 9 and the remaining NM-Mt 8 or less.
Value: PSA 10 examples sell between for as little as $20 on eBay. With only 862 PSA 10s in supply that price is very low, especially considering it costs more to have a card graded. Don’t believe me? Check out these prices yourself.
1989 Score Randy Johnson RC #645
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: eBay
- Sale Date: November 2023
- Sale Price: $26
➡️ Compare prices of this Randy Johnson Rookie Card on eBay
Overview: Another affordable option for Randy Johnson rookie cards, in gem mint condition, is his 1989 Score rookie. These are not his best, but they are rookie cards and they do have the rookie label on them.
Supply: PSA has graded 5,739 of the 1989 Score Randy Johnson rookie with 2,324 grading gem mint 10, 2,527 mint 9 and the remaining NM-Mt 8 or less.
Value: PSA 10 examples sell between $20 to $30 on eBay. Score cards are a lower-tier brand in baseball cards during the 90s and the value of this card will more than likely not see a rise in value any time soon. If you want to invest in this set, look for BGS 10 labels because there are far less in supply and have a better long-term potential.
1989 Donruss Randy Johnson RC #42
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2023
- Sale Price: $40
➡️ Compare prices of this Randy Johnson Rookie Card on eBay
Overview: 1989 Donruss is one of the earlier sets that introduced the “Rated Rookie” logo that we see on modern-day Panini Donruss Optic cards. It was a widely popular logo and phrase in the hobby then and is to this day. Which should give this card an edge up against the other cards on this list, however, the value is dampened due to the high supply.
Supply: PSA has graded 10,038 of the 1989 Donruss Randy Johnson Rated Rookie cards with 1,414 grading gem mint 10, 4,049 mint 9 and the remaining NM-Mt 8 or less.
Value: PSA 10 examples sell between $40 to $50 consistently while a PSA 9 can be picked up for $10. At these prices, Randy Johnson Rated Rookie cards, in PSA 10 condition, appear to be undervalued. Check out the prices on eBay.
1989 Topps Randy Johnson RC #647
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: September 2023
- Sale Price: $46
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Overview: The 1989 Topps Randy Johnson RC shows him in his Expos uniform prior to being traded to the Seattle Mariners and is his base Topps set rookie card.
Supply: PSA has graded 8,104 of the 1989 Topps Randy Johnson rookies with 1,610 grading gem mint 10, 3,430 mint 9 and the remaining NM-MT 8 or less.
Value: PSA 10 examples sell, on average, for $45 while a mint 9 goes for roughly $15, which is less than the cost of the grading fee.
1989 Upper Deck Randy Johnson RC #25
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2023
- Sale Price: $84
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Overview: The 1989 Upper Deck card features a young Randy Johnson in his Montreal Expos uniform. The 1989 Upper Deck set is known for its high-quality photography and design, making it a favorite among collectors.
Supply: PSA has graded 34,588 of the 1989 Upper Deck Randy Johnson rookies with 5,120 grading gem mint 10, 17,299 mint 9 and the remaining NM-MT 8 or less.
Value: PSA 10s sell between $75 to $100 while a PSA 9 goes for roughly $10. When investing in the Upper Deck cards, it’s best to go with a PSA 10. There are far too many of these printed to consider buying anything else. The premium will always be PSA 10 or even better a BGS 10.
1989 Fleer Marlboro Ad on Scoreboard Randy Johnson RC #381
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Sale Date: August 2023
- Sale Price: $798
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Overview:
The 1989 Fleer Randy Johnson Rookie Card #381 is notable for a few reasons, particularly the infamous Marlboro advertisement in the background. Here’s some insight into this card:
- Marlboro Advertisement Controversy: The original version of this card features a Marlboro cigarette advertisement visible in the background, located on the stadium scoreboard. This detail sparked controversy due to the presence of tobacco advertising on a baseball card, especially one aimed at a wide audience that included young collectors.
- Subsequent Alterations: In response to the controversy, Fleer altered subsequent print runs of the card. They obscured the Marlboro ad, typically by blacking it out. These alterations created different variations of the card, each with its own level of rarity and value.
- Collectibility and Value: The original, unaltered version with the visible Marlboro ad is generally more sought after by collectors due to its rarity and the story behind it. The value of the card can vary depending on the condition and the version (unaltered vs. altered). Cards in higher grades, like PSA 10, are particularly valuable.
Supply: PSA has graded 895 of the 1989 Fleer Randy Johnson rookie with the Marlboro Ad on Scoreboard. Of those cards evaluated, 108 are gem mint 10, 490 mint 9 and the remaining NM-MT 8 or less.
Value: Goldin Auctions sold a PSA 10 example in August 2023 for $798 which is up from November 2022 when another PSA 10 sold for $468. PSA 9 examples, however, sell between $75 to $100. The high sales prices for this card make it Randy Johnson’s second most valuable rookie baseball card and one of the more valuable baseball cards from the Junk Wax Era.
1989 Topps Traded Tiffany Randy Johnson RC #57T
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: October 2023
- Sale Price: $800
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Overview: The Topps Traded Tiffany set is a higher-end version of the standard Topps set, printed on premium white card stock with a glossy finish. The Tiffany version of Johnson’s rookie card is particularly sought after due to its limited print run and superior quality.
Supply: PSA has graded 1,195 of the 1989 Topps Trade Tiffany Randy Johnson rookies with 67 grading gem mint 10, 565 mint 9 and the remaining NM-MT 8 or less.
Value: The most recent PSA 10 example was sold by PWCC Auctions in October 2023 at fixed price for $800. When browsing for these online, make sure they are the Tiffany version and not the base Topps set. It’s challenging to tell unless holding the card in hand. If the card is in a BGS, PSA or SGC case then it is more than likely an authentic Topps Tiffany card.
Conclusion
Randy Johnson’s impressive career stats and accolades make his rookie cards a notable option for investors in the sports memorabilia market. His dominance on the mound, consistency over his career, and recognition as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history create a strong foundation for the potential appreciation of his rookie cards.
As with any investment, it’s important to stay informed about market trends and the condition of the cards, but Randy Johnson’s rookie cards certainly present a compelling opportunity for those looking to invest in baseball memorabilia.
From a young age, Matt dove deep into sports card valuation, turning to esteemed price guides like Beckett and Tuff Stuff. Eventually he extended to Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh!. With a vision to sustain and nurture the hobby he loved, Matt established the ‘Graded Card Investor’ YouTube channel and website. He aims to foster a healthy community and offer invaluable insights to those entering the world of sports cards and TCGs. His depth of understanding, from the card market’s 2020 pinnacle to its 1990s valleys, is consistently fortified by meticulous research.
