If you spent any part of the late eighties or early nineties ripping through wax packs, you probably remember the neon colors of Score. They were loud. They were everywhere. And honestly, they were a breath of fresh air compared to the stuffy, traditional designs of Topps at the time. Right in the middle of that "Junk Wax" frenzy sits the 1989 Score Randy Johnson rookie card. It isn’t the most expensive card in the world, but it represents the start of one of the most terrifying pitching careers in baseball history.
Basically, if you were a batter in 1989, seeing a 6'10" lefty with a mullet staring you down was a nightmare. Collectors felt the opposite. We wanted that card.
Today, the randy johnson rookie card score version is a staple for Hall of Fame enthusiasts. It's affordable, it's iconic, and it actually tells a story about a player who wasn't an immediate superstar. Most people forget he was kind of a wild mess early on with the Montreal Expos. This card captures that raw, unrefined "Big Unit" before he became the five-time Cy Young winner we all remember.
The Two Main Versions You’ll Find
When people talk about Randy's Score rookie, they’re usually talking about one of two cards. You’ve got the base set card and the "Rookie & Traded" version. They look similar but have key differences that affect the price and collectibility.
1989 Score #645 (The Base Card)
This is the one most of us pulled from standard packs. It features Randy in his Montreal Expos uniform, looking exceptionally lanky. The borders are a mix of purple and orange—very 1989.
- The Look: Randy is mid-stride, or sometimes a headshot depending on the subset, but #645 is the definitive base rookie.
- Availability: High. Like, really high. They printed millions of these things.
- Current Value: You can grab a raw, decent-looking copy for about $2. A PSA 10? That’ll run you closer to $40 or $50 depending on the day.
1989 Score Traded #77T
Later that year, Score released their "Rookie & Traded" set. This card is arguably more popular because it shows Randy in a Seattle Mariners uniform. That’s where he really became a legend.
- The Vibe: It feels like the "true" beginning of his dominance.
- The Value: Interestingly, it often trades for a similar price to the base card, though some collectors prefer the Mariners branding. A PSA 10 for the #77T usually sits right around $35.
Why Condition is Everything (Even for Junk Wax)
Look, these cards were printed on cheap stock. They weren't meant to be museum pieces. Because Score used those bright, solid-colored borders, any little white chip on the edge sticks out like a sore thumb. That’s why there’s such a massive gap between a card you find in a shoebox and one that gets a Gem Mint 10 grade.
Honestly, a PSA 9 is usually the "sweet spot" for most collectors. It looks perfect to the naked eye, but it costs a fraction of the price of a 10. For about $15, you can own a slabbed piece of history. That's cheaper than a decent lunch these days.
Grading and Market Trends in 2026
The market for the randy johnson rookie card score has been surprisingly steady. While some "investors" have moved on to modern shiny cards with 1/1 parallels, the guys who actually love baseball still want the Big Unit.
If you're looking at the numbers, the population report (how many cards exist in certain grades) for the 1989 Score #645 is huge. There are over 2,400 PSA 10s out there. That sounds like a lot, but compared to the demand for Hall of Fame rookies, it’s manageable.
| Grade | Estimated Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| PSA 10 | $35 - $50 |
| PSA 9 | $10 - $15 |
| Ungraded (NM) | $1 - $3 |
Prices fluctuate based on the "Hall of Fame" bump. Every year around Induction time, people get nostalgic and prices creep up. If you're buying, try to snag them in the off-season.
Common Misconceptions About the 1989 Score Set
One thing people get wrong all the time is thinking the Score card is his "best" rookie. It’s not. That title usually goes to the 1989 Upper Deck #25. The Upper Deck card was high-end back then—it had a hologram!
But the Score card has a charm the others don't. It's the "everyman" card. It’s the one you actually found in your stocking on Christmas morning. Also, some people confuse the 1989 Score with the 1989 Fleer "Marlboro" error card. To be clear: the Score card doesn't have a controversial cigarette ad in the background. It's just a clean, colorful sports card.
How to Spot a "Fake" (Or Just a Bad Card)
Fortunately, nobody is really faking 1989 Score cards. It would cost more to fake them than they’re worth. However, you do have to watch out for "re-colored" cards. Some shady sellers will take a purple felt-tip marker to the edges of a chipped card to make it look "Mint."
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Check the card under a bright light. If the purple on the edge looks a different shade than the rest of the border, run away.
What to Look For:
- Centering: Is the photo actually in the middle, or is it leaning to one side? 1989 Score had notorious centering issues.
- Surface: Look for light scratches or "wax stains" from the packaging.
- Corners: They should be sharp enough to poke a hole in a balloon. If they’re rounded, it’s not a high-grade card.
The "Junk Wax" Irony
We call this era "Junk Wax" because the supply was infinite. But here’s the thing: most of those millions of cards were handled by kids. They were put in bicycle spokes. They were traded on playground asphalt. Finding a truly pristine randy johnson rookie card score is actually harder than the production numbers suggest.
That’s why the PSA 10s still hold value. It’s not about the rarity of the card; it’s about the rarity of the condition.
Is It a Good Investment?
If you’re looking to get rich, probably not. You aren’t going to retire on a 1989 Score Randy Johnson. But if you want a card that will always have a buyer, this is it. Randy Johnson is a top-five left-handed pitcher of all time. His legacy is set in stone.
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Unlike modern players who might get injured or have a bad season and see their card prices crater, Randy is a "Blue Chip" of the hobby. He’s the Big Unit. He hit a bird with a fastball. He stared down hitters with a terrifying intensity that we just don't see anymore.
Final Thoughts on Collecting the Big Unit
Buying a randy johnson rookie card score is about owning a piece of the 1980s. It’s about that specific era of photography and design. Whether you go for the Expos base card or the Mariners traded version, you’re getting a Hall of Fame rookie for the price of a couple of coffees.
Honestly, that’s what the hobby should be about anyway.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your old binders: If you have a #645 that looks perfectly centered with no white showing on the edges, consider sending it to PSA. A $15 grading fee could turn a $2 card into a $40 one.
- Shop for "Lots": Instead of buying one card, look for eBay listings selling 5 or 10 at a time. You can often cherry-pick the best one and sell the rest to break even.
- Verify the number: Ensure you are looking for #645 for the base set or #77T for the Traded set to avoid buying the "Rising Stars" subset by mistake, which is worth significantly less.