- Compared to this afternoon's card, the wording for the peel is a lot less conspicuous (?). Thome's face isn't covered, and what's interesting is the Topps Finest logo is covered. For me, the card looks better than it's Pinnacle counterpart.
- Bio on the back: "Ranked 8th in the AL in slugging at .612". What?? .612 right now would be 2nd in the AL behind only David Ortiz (.631). In '96, .730 was the leader (McGwire), and Thome's slugging pct. was still 30 points behind 2nd place Juan Gonzalez at .643. Sick.
- Career HR #111 for Jim was hit 6/14/97 in the 2nd game of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals. Matt Morris was the victim of Jim's solo shot, but the Cardinals would take the nightcap 5-2 to split the doubleheader.
- Robert
- If it weren't for the protective coating, this card would be magnificent. There's no way that I even dare try to peel off the coating after nearly 20 years. I've had bad experiences trying that with cards that aren't half the age of this one.
- It looks as if Jim is chasing a ball while playing 3rd base. at least that looks to be a 3rd baseman's glove. 1996 was the last season that Jim was full time at 3rd in Cleveland. The move to first in '97 was precipitated by the Indians acquisition of Matt Williams from the Giants.
- All I have to say is thank goodness I don't chase any of the players that have Gold cards in this set. Guys like Griffey, McGwire, Ripken et al still fetch quite a bit of money for singles from this set. Thome is priced much more reasonably for this collector.
- Robert
