He wasn’t Ken Griffey Jr. He definitely wasn't Jose Canseco. But if you grew up ripping wax packs in the late 1980s, you absolutely have a stack of Felix Jose rookie cards sitting in a shoebox somewhere in your parents' attic. Honestly, for a long time, these cards were the definition of "commons." You’d see that Oakland A’s uniform and the "Rated Rookie" logo and think, maybe? Then he’d get traded, or head to Korea, and the card would go back into the pile.
Lately, though, things feel different in the hobby. We’re seeing a weirdly specific resurgence in "junk wax" stars—guys who had solid careers but never made Cooperstown. Felix Jose is the poster child for this. He was an All-Star in 1991 with the Cardinals. He hit over 300 home runs across professional baseball if you count his legendary stint in the KBO.
If you're looking at your old binder and wondering if that 1989 Donruss is worth a steak dinner or just a stick of gum, let’s get into the weeds of what actually matters.
The Big Three: Which Felix Jose Rookie Card Should You Care About?
Most collectors consider 1989 his true rookie year, even though he had a cup of coffee with Oakland in 1988. Because he was part of that massive overproduction era, there isn't just one card. There are a dozen.
1989 Donruss #38 (The "Rated Rookie")
This is the one everyone remembers. The iconic blue and orange borders. The "Rated Rookie" logo that used to mean a card was destined for greatness. It’s basically the "entry-level" Felix Jose card. You can find these for a dollar at any card show. However, there’s a weird error version—some backs have a period after "INC" and some don't. Does it make it worth thousands? No. But for a master set collector, it’s a fun hunt.
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1989 Upper Deck #22
Upper Deck changed everything in '89. Better card stock, hologram on the back, and much better photography. Jose is listed as a "Star Rookie" here. While the Ken Griffey Jr. card from this set is the Holy Grail, the Felix Jose card is surprisingly tough to find in a perfect PSA 10. We're talking maybe $15 to $20 for a slabbed Gem Mint copy. It's not a fortune, but it’s a beautiful card of a guy who actually lived up to the "Star" tag for a few seasons.
1989 Score #629 and Fleer #15
Score was the "cheap" brand back then, but their 1989 set is surprisingly clean. The Fleer #15 is also out there, usually featuring a very young Jose in his A's warmups. These are basically penny cards unless they are graded.
The "Holy Grail" That Isn't Actually a Rookie
If you really want to find a Felix Jose card that actually has some meat on the bone, you have to look at 1991 and 1993.
Wait. Why?
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In 1991, Topps produced the "Desert Shield" set for troops serving in the Gulf War. These cards have a tiny gold foil logo on the front. Because so many were lost or destroyed in the desert, they are incredibly rare. A 1991 Topps Desert Shield Felix Jose #368 in a high grade can actually pull in $40 to $60.
Then there’s the 1993 Topps Finest Refractor. This was the first "super-premium" set. Jose was with the Royals by then, and the Refractor version of his card (#81) is a legitimate short print. I've seen PSA 9 copies of this card sell for over $800. That’s not a typo. For a guy who isn't in the Hall of Fame, that’s a massive number. It just goes to show that rarity often beats "rookie status" in the modern market.
The KBO Legend Factor
You can't talk about Felix Jose without mentioning South Korea. He is arguably the greatest foreign player in KBO history. He played for the Lotte Giants and once hit .380 with 30 home runs in a single season.
Because of this, there is a whole secondary market of collectors in Korea looking for his MLB rookie cards. It’s created a floor for his prices that other "common" players from the 80s don't have. If you have a clean 1989 Upper Deck, there’s a guy in Busan who probably wants it more than a guy in St. Louis.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Grading
I see people all the time saying, "I have a Felix Jose rookie, I'm going to send it to PSA!"
Stop.
Unless the card is literally perfect—centered, sharp corners, no print dots—it isn't worth the $20 grading fee. An "Ungraded" 1989 Donruss sells for $1.27 on average. Even a PSA 9 might only get you $10. You only grade these if you think you have a shot at a 10, or if you just love the player and want it protected.
Actionable Tips for Collectors
If you're sitting on a stash or looking to buy, here is how you should actually handle Felix Jose rookie cards right now:
- Check for the 1991 Topps Desert Shield: Dig through your 1991 Topps. If you see that little palm tree logo, you've found the winner. That's the one to grade.
- Look for 1993 Finest Refractors: If you have 1993 Finest cards, tilt them under a light. If they glow with a rainbow refractor finish, you’re looking at a potential $100+ card.
- Ignore the "Error" Hype: Don't believe eBay listings claiming a "missing period" on a 1989 Donruss makes it worth $5,000. It’s a common printing variation.
- Buy the "Glossy" Fleer: In 1989, Fleer released a "Glossy" tin set. These cards are way rarer than the base cards and have a much nicer finish. They’re a great low-cost investment for a Felix Jose fan.
- Condition is Everything: If the blue borders on the 1989 Donruss show even a tiny bit of white (chipping), the value drops to zero. Only keep the pristine ones.