Below are the 6 best budget Frank Thomas rookie baseball cards available in the market today. We have also included a few extra budget memorabilia items.
Frank Thomas was arguably the best power hitter in the American League during the 1990s. Putting up incredible offensive numbers year after year.
He finished his career with 521 home runs and 1704 RBIs. All while compiling an impressive lifetime .301 batting average, .419 OBP, and .974 OPS.
Thomas won back-to-back AL MVP awards during the 1993 and 1994 seasons and finished in the top 10 of MVP voting 7 other times throughout his playing days.
Although Frank Thomas cards can carry plenty of value on the market in PSA 9 and 10 conditions. Some collectors may be looking for less expensive options to add to their collection.
1991 Frank Thomas Upper Deck Rookie Card #246
Estimated PSA 10 Value – $30
Estimated PSA 9 Value – $11
The 1991 Upper Deck #246 rookie card is the least expensive Frank Thomas rookie card available to collectors in PSA 10 condition.
It is important to note that some individuals consider the less expensive #840 Score Frank Thomas card from the 1991 set to be a rookie card as well. However, because he has a rookie card from the 1990 set, this article does not consider the #840 card a true rookie card.
The front of the #246 card contains a white border. With the Upper Deck logo displayed in the upper left corner. Thomas’ position, name, and the White Sox logo are listed across the bottom from left to right.
The rear of the card contains Thomas’ stats from the 1990 season. It also lists some of his accomplishments from that year as well.
Ironically, this card is probably most famous for the player photo of Thomas on its front. Which appears to show him subtly giving the finger to the camera, while sitting in the clubhouse.
1991 Donruss Frank Thomas Rookie Baseball Card #477
Estimated PSA 10 Value – $42.50
Estimated PSA 9 Value – $8.50
Unlike Upper Deck, which was a recent addition to the sports card market in 1991. Donruss had already been producing baseball cards for a decade.
Although the 1991 Donruss rookie card is cheaper in PSA 9 condition than the 1991 Upper Deck rookie card. It is more valuable in PSA 10 condition.
The #477 card contains a very colorful, mostly green border, surrounding a picture of Thomas during an in-game at-bat.
The top left of the card displays the Donruss brand name, while the bottom left displays the White Sox logo. The bottom of the card contains Thomas’ name on a red banner and his position on a blue banner. Both positioned upward diagonally from left to right.
The rear of the card contains Thomas’ stats from the 1990 regular season and lists some brief career highlights.
1990 Score Frank Thomas Rookie Card #663
Estimated PSA 10 Value – $50
Estimated PSA 9 Value – $12.50
Some of the most affordable Frank Thomas rookie cards belong to Score. A subsidiary of the now-defunct Pinnacle Brands, Inc.
Despite being very inexpensive, the #663 rookie card in the 1990 set features a nice design. It contains an outer white border, with an inner green border outlining a picture of a head and shoulder yearbook-style photo of Thomas. Clouds and a blue sky make in the photo’s background give the card a springtime baseball feel.
The top left of the card displays the Score brand name, the top right of the card identifies Thomas as a 1st round pick, and the bottom of the card’s front lists Thomas’ name, position, and the White Sox logo.
The rear of the card is arrayed in a horizontal layout, with the left side displaying a picture of Thomas posing with a bat and the right side detailing some of Thomas’ collegiate and minor league accomplishments to date.
1990 Topps Rookie Card #414
Estimated PSA 10 Value – $82.50
Estimated PSA 9 Value – $16
The 1990 Topps Frank Thomas rookie card is one of his most well-known rookie cards. Mainly due to the valuable error versions of this card that are a popular target for collectors.
Budget collectors, however, should probably just stick to the regular, base version card, which typically commands very modest prices.
The #414 card features a very colorful red, orange, and yellow border on its front. With a 2nd, inner red and yellow border outlining the player photo.
The team name is listed in large blue bloc font at the top left of the player photo, while “1st Draft Pick” is listed at the top right of the player photo. The bottom of the card lists Thomas’ name in black font on a blue banner.
The picture of Thomas shows him fielding his position in his collegiate Auburn Tigers uniform and captures his incredible physique.
The rear of the card lists his college stats and gives a detailed summary of his athletic accomplishments.
1990 Topps Bowman Rookie Card #320
Estimated PSA 10 Value – $115
Estimated PSA 9 Value – $17.50
Another great option for budget collectors is the 1990 Topps Bowman #320 rookie card, which presents a very simplistic frontal design.
Purchased by Topps after the 1955 season and discontinued, the Bowman brand was resurrected in 1989.
The front of the card contains an outer white border, with a 2nd, red, yellow, and green border outlining the player photo of Thomas posing on one knee with a bat. The top left of the card displays the Bowman logo, while the bottom of the card lists the White Sox team name along with Thomas’ name.
The rear of the card displays a blue and off-white color hue and lists Thomas’ minor league state from the 1989 season.
Interestingly, the back of the card is organized in a grid format, with individual stat categories listed vertically along the left side of the card, and individual AL teams listed horizontally across the top.
1990 Leaf Frank Thomas Baseball Rookie Card #300
Estimated PSA 10 Value – $170
Estimated PSA 9 Value – $30
The #300 Frank Thomas rookie card by Leaf is his most renowned rookie card and is a must-have for all baseball card collectors.
Although it is significantly more expensive than the other cards on this list, most collectors with limited resources should still be able to add it to their collection.
This borderline budget rookie card contains arguably the most simplistic design of all Frank Thomas rookie cards. It sports a white border, displays the Leaf logo at the top right of the card. It lists the White Sox logo at the bottom left and lists Thomas’ name and position across the bottom.
Despite the lack of colorful design, the card’s action photo is outstanding, showing Thomas in the follow-through of a live at-bat. It captures the impressive offensive talent and herculean physique that defined Thomas throughout his career.
The back of the card sports a gray border and lists Thomas’ minor league stats and a very detailed minor league career summary to date.
Frank Thomas Baseball Memorabilia Items
Several different memorabilia items are available on sportsmemorabilia.com. Including many great options for budget collectors.
Several different autographed baseballs are available for purchase, usually ranging from $100 to $200. 2 autographed Mitchell and Ness White Sox jerseys, a white and a black version, both carry the same reasonable price tag of $384.99.
A black Rawlings Players Series glove signed by Thomas can be purchased for $249.99, while an autographed replica batting helmet has a retail price of $169.99.
Finally, several black replica Rawlings baseball bats signed by Thomas are available, and range in price from $140 to $270, depending on the product specifications.
When I was just starting out with my card collection, I had lots of questions about authenticity, trading, and card conditions. But with not that much information available online, I felt quite alone in my queries. Some questions still haven’t been answered to this day.
This site aims to rectify this, and now, I am passing on my knowledge!
- Bo Jackson Rookie Cards for savvy collectors - March 19, 2023
- Bo Bichette Baseball Rookie Cards - March 11, 2023
- Great Value baseball cards from the 60’s under $500 - March 4, 2023
