This week, we go all the way back to 1989 and rip a classic. 1989 Topps Baseball is the first full box I can remember opening when I was a kid, so it always brings me back to my early days of collecting.

1989 Topps Baseball features a massive 792-card checklist. And, with it being 1989 and all, there are no inserts to speak of.

While Topps certainly missed the boat on Ken Griffey Jr. (his Topps rookie card appears in the Topps Traded set), there are a good number of big-name rookie cards to chase in this one: Craig Biggio, Randy Johnson, Gary Sheffield and John Smoltz.

1989 Topps Baseball Box Break 

Cards per pack: 15
Packs per box: 36
Price paid: $20 

• Buy 1989 Topps Baseball boxes on eBay

Pack 1 highlights:

Expos Leaders, Mets Leaders, Keith Hernandez, Mike Schmidt and Ozzie Smith

Pack 2:

Orel Hershiser All Star

Hershiser recently announced that he is offering a bounty for anyone who pulls his 2025 Topps Chrome Superfractor Autograph card. He is offering a trip to LA and an experience with him at Dodger Stadium in exchange for the card.

Pack 3:

Bob Boone AS, Jose Canseco, Tim “Rock” Raines, Al Leiter and Kirby Puckett

Pack 4:

Tony LaRussa, Dave Johnson and Ryne Sandberg AS

Pack 5:

Frank Viola AS

Pack 6:

Ron Gant, Jack McDowell and Andre Dawson Record Breaker

It wasn’t exactly a huge record, but Dawson recorded at least 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases for the 12th consecutive season in 1988, breaking a record previously held by Bobby Bonds.

Pack 7:

George Brett and Andy Van Slyke AS

Pack 8:

Jimmy Key, Roberto Alomar, Fernando Valenzuela, Ron Guidry and Julio Franco AS

Pack 9:

Jack Morris, Tony Fernandez and Brady Anderson RC

Pack 10:

Jack “The Ripper” Clark, Don Zimmer and Kirk Gibson AS

Clark had finished third in NL MVP voting in 1987 with the Cardinals, behind Andre Dawson and Ozzie Smith.

Pack 11:

Bobby Valentine, Sparky Anderson, Wade Boggs AS and Dan Quisenberry

Pack 12:

Orel Hershiser, Julio Franco, Bruce Hurst and Devon White

Pack 13:

Lou Whitaker and Carlton Fisk

Pack 14:

Vince Coleman, Dennis Eckersley, Ryne Sandberg and Dave Stewart

Coleman led the league in stolen bases his first six seasons in the majors 1985-1990.

Pack 15:

Phillies Leaders, Will “The Thrill” Clark, Nolan Ryan and Jose Rijo

Pack 16:

Dave Parker, Gregg Olson Draft Pick RC, Paul Molitor and Mark Langston

Pack 17:

Fred Lynn and Wally Joyner

Pack 18:

Roger Clemens and Andre Dawson

Pack 19:

John Kruk, Tom Lasorda and Andres Galarraga AS

The Big Cat was a 1988 All Star and finished the season leading the league in hits (182) and doubles (42).

Pack 20:

Andy Benes DP RC and Mike “Gator” Greenwell AS

Pack 21:

Dave Winfield

Pack 22:

Harold Baines

Pack 23:

Ellis Burks and Gary Gaetti

Would you be surprised if I told you that Gaetti finished in the top 25 in MVP voting four times during his career? I was, too.

Pack 24:

Howard “HoJo” Johnson, Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd, Joe Carter and Robin Yount

Pack 25:

Fred McGriff, Dwight Evans, Dave Stieb and Don Mattingly AS

Pack 26:

Lenny Dykstra and Rich Gedman

Pack 27:

David Wells, Andy Van Slyke, Gary Carter and Tony Oliva Turn Back The Clock

Throwing it back to 1964 with this classic Oliva card.

Pack 28:

Chuck Finley, Cal Ripken, Jr., Ron Guidry, Julio Franco AS, Roberto Alomar and Jimmy Key

Pack 29:

Orel Hershiser and Dave Stewart

Pack 30:

Dave Winfield, Greg Maddux and Ryne Sandberg

Pack 31:

Nolan Ryan

Ryan was 41 years old in 1988, his last season in Houston. He lead the league with 228 strikeouts.

Pack 32:

Fred Lynn and Don Mattingly AS

Pack 33:

Roger Clemens

Pack 34:

A couple of Mets: Gary Carter and Dwight “Doc” Gooden

Pack 35:

Tony Oliva TBTC, Kirby Puckett AS, Robin Ventura DP RC, Terry “Tito” Francona and Rafael Palmeiro

Ventura played just one season in the minor leagues before making his 1989 major-league debut. He was drafted 10th overall in the 1988 draft.

Pack 36:

Bert Blyleven, Andre Dawson, Benito Santiago and Lee Smith

Lastly, the Lee Smith card back. This is a classic card back including full career stat lines and some bio information.

It’s hard to believe, but we didn’t find any of the top four rookie cards in this box. Not one. Still a fun rip, though, and absolutely packed full of Hall of Famers!

Want more installments of Shane Salmonson’s Cheap Wax Wednesday? Check out his other breaks in the archives.