How Upper Deck Changed Baseball Cards FOREVER:    • How Upper Deck Changed Baseball Cards...  

See why the 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card is the #1 Most Graded card of ALL-TIME!

Top 10 Most Popular Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Cards of All Time
1989 Upper Deck #1

The most iconic and valuable rookie card, featuring a young Griffey in his Mariners uniform.
1989 Bowman Tiffany #220

A premium version of the Bowman card, limited print run and high-quality stock.
1989 Topps Traded Tiffany #41T

Another premium card, part of the Topps Traded set, highly sought after by collectors.
1989 Fleer Glossy #548

The glossy version of the standard Fleer card, with a more limited production.
1989 Donruss Rated Rookie #33

A popular card from the Donruss set, featuring the "Rated Rookie" logo.
1989 Score Traded #100T

Part of the Score Traded set, a less common rookie card.
1989 Topps Traded #41T

The standard version of the Topps Traded card, widely collected.
1989 Bowman #220

The standard Bowman card, known for its larger size and simple design.
1989 Fleer #548

A widely recognized card from the Fleer set, featuring Griffey's classic smile.
1989 Mother's Cookies #1

A more unique and rare card, given away with Mother's Cookies products.
Biography of Ken Griffey Jr.'s Baseball Career and Records
Early Life and Entry into MLB:

Ken Griffey Jr., born on November 21, 1969, in Donora, Pennsylvania, is the son of former MLB player Ken Griffey Sr. He was selected first overall in the 1987 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners, making his MLB debut on April 3, 1989.

Seattle Mariners (1989–1999):
Griffey quickly became known for his combination of power and speed, along with his exceptional defensive skills in center field. His iconic swing and infectious smile made him a fan favorite. During his time with the Mariners, Griffey was a 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove Award winner, and 7-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He led the American League in home runs four times (1994, 1997, 1998, 1999).

Cincinnati Reds (2000–2008):
Griffey was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2000, fulfilling a lifelong dream to play for his hometown team. Although injuries plagued much of his time with the Reds, Griffey still managed to produce impressive numbers, including his 500th and 600th career home runs.

Chicago White Sox (2008):
Griffey was traded to the Chicago White Sox mid-season in 2008, where he played a brief but memorable stint.

Return to Seattle Mariners (2009–2010):
Griffey returned to the Mariners in 2009, bringing his career full circle. He retired in 2010 after a 22-year career.

Career Achievements and Records:

Home Runs: 630, ranking him seventh on the all-time home run list.
Hits: 2,781
RBIs: 1,836
All-Star Selections: 13
Gold Glove Awards: 10
Silver Slugger Awards: 7
AL MVP: 1997
Post-Retirement:
Griffey was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016 with a then-record 99.3% of the vote. He remains active in various charitable endeavors and is involved in promoting baseball.

Ken Griffey Jr. is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, known for his unparalleled talent, charisma, and love for the game. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of baseball players and fans alike.