1989 Topps Mike Smithson #628
Mike Smithson · Topps · Base Card
Player
Mike Smithson
Set
1989 Topps
Year
1989
Card #
628
Condition Grade
PSA 7 (Near Mint) to PSA 8 (NM-MT). The centering is visibly shifted towards the right and bottom. While corners appear sharp for the age, standard 'Junk Wax' era print defects like white snow or surface dots are likely present.
Category
Base Card
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Low/Niche. Primarily sought by Boston Red Sox team set collectors or fans of 1980s baseball. Market demand is stable but saturated.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.05 - $0.25
Graded Value
PSA 8: $5.00 - $10.00, PSA 9: $15.00 - $25.00, PSA 10: $45.00 - $60.00. Note: Grading costs far exceed the market value of this card.
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies are often $0.99 with free shipping (essentially the cost of a stamp). High-grade PSA 10 copies occasionally sell for $40+ to 'Registry' collectors, but most sell for less than the cost of the slab.
Description
Original 1989 Topps Baseball Mike Smithson card featuring the veteran pitcher in his Boston Red Sox uniform. The card shows Smithson with a glove in a classic portrait pose against a clear blue sky. It features the iconic 1989 Topps color-coded border design with the team name 'Red Sox' in a scripted font.
Key Features
Classic 1989 Topps base card design; features a member of the Boston Red Sox pitching rotation from that era.
Authenticity Indicators
Authenticity confidence: High. This card belongs to the 'Junk Wax' era and was produced in massive quantities; there is almost zero risk of counterfeits or reprints as the value does not justify the cost of replication.
Flaws to Note
Visible centering issues (OC), specifically heavy to the right-hand border. Potential surface print spots typical of 1989 Topps brown cardstock. Minor edge chipping possible on the reverse side.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best sold in bulk lots on eBay, listed as a 'You-Pick' set filler, or placed in a local card shop's 10-cent bin. Individual sales are generally not cost-effective due to shipping fees.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card, as the grading fee will be significantly higher than the card's value. Best used as a 'bonus' card in larger Boston Red Sox team lots or to complete a 1989 Topps hand-collated set. Ship in a standard White Envelope (PWE) to keep costs low.