4 Key baseball cards of Hall of Famer Jim Thome
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Jim Thome was a first-ballot Hall of Famer back in 2018, and while he was a great player and a top-tier slugger who ended up with over 600 homeruns, there's another reason he made the cut the first time around - he played the game the right way. In an era full of players who were either suspected of or admitted to taking steroids, Thome never had that problem. For many Indians/Guardians and Phillies collectors, as well as fans of members of the 500 homerun club, Thome is a must have for a baseball card collection. There could be a case made, however, that his cards are somewhat undervalued.
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BOWMAN 1991 JIM THOME
Thome's Bowman rookie is fairly to find - it's important to remember that 1991 was still in the midst of the junk wax era of baseball cards - wildly overproduced. That said, it is his rookie card from a time-honored brand and a gem-mint copy can be had for under $75. The back of this card is blank as Thome hadn't yet been called up to the big leagues.
UPPER DECK FINAL EDITION 1991 JIM THOME
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The Upper Deck Final Edition seen here from 1991 sets itself apart from Thome's other rookies in that this card wasn't included as part of the regular Upper Deck set. It was part of a separate set sold exclusively in hobby shops, so it's a bit more limited. It's still easily found and can be had for a song - just under $30 for a gem-mint copy.
UPPER DECK SWEET SPOT SIGNATURES 2006 THOME/GRIFFEY JR.
What's better than the autograph of one hall of fame slugger? Two autographs! Upper Deck's 2006 Sweet Spot Signatures product certainly hit a home run with this card - two hall of famers and 500 home run club members signed the same ball surface which was then inserted into the card itself. Limited to just 35, this card doesn't surface often - the last sale on record was back in 2021 for $305.
TOPPS DYNASTY PATCH AUTO 2017 JIM THOME
It wouldn't be a list without one of the ultra modern cards, would it? Thome was missing from most autograph insert sets from 2008 to around 2017 but made his way back - and this release was one of the first. A great swatch of jersey alongside a bold blue on-card autograph.
Brian Hough became a fan of the hobby by opening packs of 1986 Donruss and 1987 Topps baseball with his dad and little brother. He has been writing about the collectibles industry for years, initially as a price guide editor for Tuff Stuff Magazine, which was a monthly sports magazine focused on sports cards and collectibles, particularly known for its price guides and checklists, that initially launched in April 1984.