Buzz Break: 1989 Topps baseball cards (two wax packs)

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The lot: 1989 Topps baseball cards (two packs)
Where to buy: Check junk bins ... hit BlowoutCards.com for newer MLB cards

Keep reading for a breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.

Packs per lot: 2
Cards per pack: 15
Cards in this lot: 30
Base set completion: 59 of 400 (15 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Greg Maddux, Orel Hershiser, Lou Whitaker, Matt Williams ... see 'em all in gallery.

Rookie Cards (5) – Steve Avery, Jim Abbott, John Costello, Bryan Harvey, Jose Cecena

Insert/short-prints cards: None in this pack format.

Autographs/Memorabilia: None.

What's Buzz-worthy: Ripping this one makes two things come to mind ... what if Topps had used its cleaner printing and bright white Traded stock for everything though the 1980s and what if Ken Griffey Jr. had been in this one and not its update set? I'd have a lot more cards from the era that I'd like more now. This pair of packs arrived in my hands in a small mixed lot of throwback packs for #TBT breaks and here we are ... a day early. (Oops.) Ultimately, if you like this one I'd say find a rarer Tiffany set -- those are nice but it'll cost you -- or just buy a factory set. You can get everybody and avoid most issues that can pop up here like wax stains and gum wrecking things, too. One pack here was a big winner (for that time) with Steve Avery and Jim Abbott inside but then I flipped over the Abbott to see an issue that can be big here at times. Fortunately a ton of this one was made so you can find a factory set cheap -- there are a few variations one could chase in packs here but really most aren't really noticed or dramatically more valuable save for perhaps a rarer Tony Oliva card. The design here is simple and I think that's why it has aged well with its meshed team/player name shape simply nestled into a corner of every card. It's old retro but still colorful enough to feel 1980s and the Traded Griffey is an iconic card among those that's not the big one over in that one other set. I had no real expectations ripping this one -- and the packs didn't deliver as I expected but it was enough of an experience that I won't mind seeing this one again in Heritage or elsewhere (it's been done in recent years) with cleaner materials and cutting.

Product Grade: B (I think this set/design has aged well ... but key 1989 RC is in Traded set, not here)
Lot Grade: D+ (a couple good names but gum damage)
Fun Grade: C-

--

Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

>> Click here to buy cards on BlowoutCards.com