Description:

This description highlights a collectible telephone card featuring Frank Thomas, the legendary Chicago White Sox baseball player, famously known as "The Big Hurt." The card’s design is striking, showcasing a detailed illustration of Thomas holding a baseball bat resting on his shoulder. He is depicted wearing a black shirt emblazoned with the "Big Hurt" logo and a matching cap, both emphasizing his iconic nickname. His confident, slight smile conveys both his stature as a top-tier athlete and the calm intensity he brought to the batter’s box. The background features a simple gradient transitioning from light green to yellow, allowing the character to stand out vividly. In the top right corner, the card’s $4.00 value is prominently displayed. Below the illustration, the Ameritech logo is centered within a white oval, indicating the telecommunications company sponsor.

The second image presents the accompanying Certificate of Authenticity for the Frank Thomas gold telephone card. This certificate confirms that the card, branded by Ameritech, contains a one-gram piece of .999 pure gold embedded within or associated with it. Created as part of a limited edition run, only 600 pieces were produced, each individually numbered from #001 to #600, adding exclusivity and collectibility. The artwork on the card was crafted by Tony Capparelli, an artist likely commissioned to capture Thomas’ stature and charisma. The certificate also notes that these Precious Metal Phone Cards (PM Cards) were manufactured with strict quality standards by Mitsubishi Materials Corporation of Japan, ensuring both the authenticity and value of the collectible card and its gold content.

Together, this set evokes nostalgia for 1990s baseball memorabilia while blending the novelty of phone cards with fine materials and exclusive sports branding. Frank Thomas’ nickname, "Big Hurt," is prominently displayed, reinforcing his reputation as one of baseball’s most feared hitters. The inclusion of a one-gram gold piece makes this card a unique hybrid of traditional sports memorabilia and precious metal collectibles. Its size—55 x 87 mm—is typical for phone cards of the era, making it easy to store or display alongside other collectibles. The official artist and manufacturer details on the Certificate of Authenticity further enhance its appeal and investment potential.

Overall, these images depict a meticulously crafted sports collectible that combines fine art, the prestige of a baseball icon, and precious materials into a single item. The marketing collaboration with Ameritech and Mitsubishi reflects a distinctive moment in 1990s communications history, when phone cards served both practical and collectible purposes. The Frank Thomas card honors his legacy while appealing to collectors who value limited-edition, high-quality sports memorabilia. For fans of the Chicago White Sox or baseball enthusiasts, this phone card is an impressive tribute to athletic achievement and Tony Capparelli’s skill in capturing the spirit of "The Big Hurt."

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.