The Dugout│Top Eight Frank Thomas Rookie Card Investment Picks

The “Big Hurt” Frank Thomas was arguably one of the most dangerous hitters of the 1990s. But who was this legendary figure, and are his rookie cards worth breaking the bank for?

Frank Thomas was one of the greatest MLB first basemen and designated hitters ever, and a total legend on the field. The “Big Hurt" burst into the Major League scene in 1990, smashing powerful home runs and impressing everyone with his consistent batting average and skill at drawing walks.

Between 1993 and 1994, The Blue Jays player pulled off something incredible: becoming the only player in MLB history to nail seven straight seasons with at least a .300 batting average, 100 RBI, 100 runs scored, 100 walks, and 20 home runs.

This jaw-dropping performance won him two MVP awards in 1993 and 1994, a World Series title with the 2005 Chicago White Sox, and seven All-Star nods.

Frank Thomas boasts a remarkable career with achievements like 2x MVP, 5x All-Star, 4x Silver Slugger, and a 1997 Batting Title. Perhaps his greatest feat was becoming the seventh player in history to retire with at least a .300 average and 500 home runs.

The Auburn University attendee’s accomplishments were recognized when the White Sox retired his number 35 in 2010 and unveiled a statue of him in 2011. Finally, in 2014, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility—the first White Sox star to achieve that distinction.

Thinking of investing in a Frank Thomas rookie card? Well, you're in luck because this Hall of Famer has tons of collectible cards for every budget. Many prospects debut on cards wearing the national colors in a black and white photo, like Frank Thomas's first baseball card during the 1987 Pan Am Games.

From the affordable 1990 Score Frank Thomas Rookie Card #663 to the 1990 Topps Frank Thomas No Name on Front #414, worth over $170,000, there's a card for everyone. So, dive into the market, find your perfect match, and invest in one of baseball's all-time greats.

1. 1990 Leaf Frank Thomas RC #300

• Price Range: $10 to $240
• Highest Sale Price: $3,500
• PSA 10 Supply: 4,156
• Type: Leaf

The first Frank Thomas card on our list, the 1990 Leaf Frank Thomas RC #300 remains a timeless representation of the legendary Hall of Famer, immortalized for generations to come. The iconic card has seen a surge in demand since Frank Thomas's induction into the Hall of Fame, furthering its value as a collector's piece.

A PSA 10-graded card recently sold for $3,500 at auction in February 2021, but even a low-grade one can still bring in over $10. As of April 2023, there are currently 4,156 PSA 10 graded copies on the market, with prices ranging from $10 up to $240. 

2. 1990 Bowman Frank Thomas Rookie Card #320

• Price Range: $5 to $110
• Highest Sale Price: $417
• PSA 10 Supply: 661
• Type: Bowman

The 1990 Bowman Frank Thomas Rookie Card #320 is an eye-catching addition to any card collection, showcasing a lively design and Thomas's beaming smile. It has drawn interest at auctions, reaching an impressive high sale price of nearly $420.

Keep in mind that this card has two versions: the standard Bowman issue and the limited Bowman Tiffany version, featuring higher-quality, glossy card stock and exclusive factory set distribution.

Recent sales include a PSA-graded gem mint for $61 in April 2023, a PSA 10-graded card for $90 in March 2023, and yet another gem mint for $129 in February 2023. With over 661 PSA 10 copies currently in circulation, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better bargain. 

3. 1990 Classic Yellow Frank Thomas #T93

• Price Range: $11 to $43
• Highest Sale Price: $125
• PSA 10 Supply: 344
• Brand: Classic

The 1990 Classic Yellow Frank Thomas #T93 is a popular collectible from the golden age of iconic cards. The card strikes the perfect balance between modern production technology and a classic design, featuring a photograph of the seven-time All-Star slugger in a powerful batting pose.

This card has recently fared well on the market, with the highest sale price reaching $125 and prices ranging from $11 to $43. Remarkably, there are still 344 PSA 10-graded copies on record.

Whether it's for a die-hard fan of Thomas or someone looking to complete a high-grade Classic Card set, this card has endured the test of time.

4. 1990 Fleer Update Frank Thomas Rookie Card #87

• Price Range: $2 to $40
• Highest Sale Price: $342
• PSA 10 Supply: 2,274
• Brand: Fleer

The 1990 Fleer Update Frank Thomas Rookie Card #87 is one of the more popular Thomas cards. Featuring a striking close-up portrait of Thomas set against two shades of blue.

Rarity isn’t an issue—with complete 1990 Fleer Update sets readily available for under $10—and there’s been a steady demand for graded cards. A quick look on eBay will show recent sales of BGS-10 cards for around $44 in March 2023 and $92 in April 2023.

5. 1990 O-Pee-Chee Frank Thomas Rookie Card #414

• Price Range: $5 to $725
• Highest Sale Price: $810
• PSA 10 Supply: 130
• Brand: O-Pee-Chee

The 1990 O-Pee-Chee Frank Thomas Rookie Card #414 is an often overlooked card that is not as easy to find in high grades because of the regional distribution. Released in Canada, it has bilingual French-English text on the back and different print quality than the American Topps card.

Prices for this Canadian version have steadily risen over the years as the latest sales show how desirable and rare it is, with one in a PSA 10 condition fetching as much as $810. In recent auctions, a PSA 8 sold on eBay for $12 in April 2023, while a PSA 9 sold for $51 in March of the same year.

The condition of this Frank Thomas card impacts value significantly since it's much more difficult to find in high grades due to their limited distribution.

6. 1990 Score Frank Thomas Rookie Card #663

• Price Range: $2 to $61
• Highest Sale Price: $293
• PSA 10 Supply: 2,463
• Brand: Score

The 1990 Score Frank Thomas Rookie Card #663 sports a simple yet attractive design. Its lack of flashiness and affordable price back in the day make it appealing to collectors. The "1st Round Pick" logo adds a pleasant touch to the card.

The Thomas #663 Rookie Card has an average value of around  $2 to $61, with its highest sale price reaching $293 in a November 2021 eBay auction. That's a significant jump, but it's still much more accessible than some of Thomas's other cards. The gem mint supply of this card is 2,463, making it attainable while preserving an element of scarcity.

Three cards were recently sold, including an $82 sale on eBay. The other two sales, in April 2023 and March 2023 for $8 and $13, respectively, illustrate the card's affordability and appeal to budget-conscious collectors.

7. 1990 Score Rookie Traded Frank Thomas #86T

• Price Range: $5 to $35
• Highest Sale Price: $300
• PSA 10 Supply: 1,746
• Brand: Score

The 1990 Score Rookie Traded Frank Thomas #86T is one of the most memorable cards in baseball card collecting history. Packed inside Score's annual update box set, it showed the mighty Big Hurt manning first base in a classic action shot that captured his tremendous power and strength.

Despite being part of a factory set and not in packs, it’s far from a rare card—it’s fairly easy to find in top grades. Those hunting for this card also won't have to empty their wallets. Prices for PSA 10 cards range from  $5 to $35, with the highest sale price reaching an impressive $300 on eBay in February 2021.

Fans of Frank Thomas should be excited to learn that four copies were recently sold, with the latest transaction at  $34 in April 2023, proving collectors are still pursuing this iconic card. It's a great rookie card for any collection, and its reasonable price point makes it worth checking out.

8. 1990 Topps Frank Thomas No Name on Front #414 

• Price Range: $1,400 to $24,000
• Highest Sale Price: $170,400
• PSA 10 Supply: 1
• Brand: Topps

The 1990 Topps Frank Thomas No Name on Front #414 card is elusive and commands lots of attention in the hobby.

This incredibly rare card emerged due to a printing error. The printing dies for the sheet of orange-bordered cards were somehow blocked, stopping Thomas’s name from being inked.

The super-scarce card showcasing Frank in his White Sox uniform is among the most valuable cards from the 1990s and is highly coveted among collectors. The card’s price ranges from $1,400 to a staggering $24,000. The highest sale price to date is an eye-popping $170,400.

While high-graded copies of this rookie card to your collection can be expensive at these prices, it has fetched prices ranging from $5,000 to $8,000.

Frank Thomas's rookie cards hold the nostalgic charm of one of the MLB’s most iconic players from the 1990s. They also present an investment opportunity, albeit without guaranteed returns. Easily accessible cards bearing Frank’s name and likeness, even without personal flourishes or strong provenance, still carry potential value.

As one of the formidable hitters of his era, a Big Hurt card might appreciate over time. Though rookie cards can be a risky investment, carefully selecting Frank Thomas cards and capitalizing on the player’s enduring legacy could result in value growth and, ultimately, returns.