Description:

This collectible phone card prominently features Frank Thomas, the renowned baseball player for the Chicago White Sox, famously nicknamed the "Big Hurt." On the front, an action shot captures Thomas mid-swing in a batting stance, his body twisted in perfect athletic form as he follows through on a powerful hit. The background depicts a packed baseball stadium, with the out-of-focus crowd creating an authentic game-day atmosphere. The card’s design incorporates the familiar Chicago White Sox uniform, distinguished by its black and white pinstripes, emphasizing the player's iconic status. A clear $5 denomination indicates the card's value for phone calls, while logos for Ameritech and their Coinsaver service are displayed at the bottom alongside the "Big Hurt" branding, blending sports enthusiasm with practical functionality.

Turning to the back, the card provides all necessary instructions for use in a clean, straightforward layout. Under the heading “Ameritech coinsaver℠ Service,” detailed steps explain how to utilize the card from Ameritech Touch Tone payphones. The process begins with dialing a toll-free number, followed by entering the card’s specific account number to ensure controlled and secure usage. Instructions cover local, long-distance, and international calls, clarifying dialing sequences, including area codes and carrier codes, reflecting the telecommunications technology of the era. Notably, the card supports multiple calls and offers a speed dial function through Ameritech card reader phones. A warning about no refunds for lost or stolen cards highlights the practical realities of prepaid telephone services.

Overall, this phone card combines the excitement of professional baseball with everyday utility during a time before widespread cell phone use. Its collectible appeal is enhanced by the thoughtful integration of sports imagery with telecommunications features, appealing to both fans and collectors. Frank Thomas’s image as a powerful hitter adds an aspirational element to this utilitarian item—transforming it into a keepsake for White Sox fans and baseball enthusiasts alike. The card’s aesthetic and functionality reflect early 1990s culture, when sports memorabilia also served practical purposes, such as enabling cheaper or monitored phone calls.

This set piece holds value both as a nostalgic sports collectible and as a historical artifact representing a bygone telecommunications era. The inclusion of explicit customer service numbers and usage instructions offers a snapshot of pre-cellphone communication norms. Additionally, the "SPECIMEN" designation suggests this may be a promotional or display card, further increasing its collectible intrigue. The imagery of Frank Thomas, combined with detailed utility and branding, captures a unique intersection of sports fandom and everyday technology—preserving a specific moment in time that resonates with collectors interested in baseball history, the Chicago White Sox, and vintage phone cards.

Since we have the world's largest inventory of USA phonecards for collectors, you will not necessarily receive the identical serial/batch/PIN number that we have scanned/pictured.