Big Hurt Fan Club
1994-1997


If you're already a fan then you already know about the former club run by Frank's personal employees. It had a fun four-year run (1994-1997) but was ultimately unsustainable. Not due to lack of interest but, I believe, mismanaged by people he trusted. Never hire your friends to take care of your business.

I joined during the 1995-96 season. Club members were issued awesome memorabilia! For three of the the four years there were two types of club memberships available: The 'Home Run Hitters' Kit and 'MVP Club' Kit. The primary difference was you would get an autographed 8x10 black-n-white photo of Frank for the additional $20.00. The full compliment of the club's "kit" changed from year to year. (see below)


Club Kits By The Years

1994-95
Collector's Club Lists

Home Run Hitters
• Big Hurt Hat*
• Big Hurt Pencil
• Big Hurt Stickers
• Autographed 1995 Studio Card
• Big Hurt Key Chain*
• Newsletters*
• Membership Card

MVP Club
• Big Hurt Hat*
• Big Hurt Pen & Pencil
• Big Hurt Stickers
• Big Hurt Watch
• Autographed 1995 Studio Card
• Autographed B&W Photo
• Newsletters*
• Membership Card

• Thank You Letter/Invitation, Actual Autograph*

1995-96
Collector's Club Lists

Home Run Hitters
• $5 Big Hurt Limited Edition, Numbered, Phone Card
• Big Hurt Temporary Tattoos
• 16 oz. Stadium Cup
• Official Frank Thomas Rawlings 17" Mini-Bat
• Newsletters
• Membership Card

MVP Club
• Frank Thomas Lapel Pin
• Big Hurt Temporary Tattoos
• 16 oz. Stadium Cup
• Big Hurt Baseball Adjustable Cap
• Autographed 1995 Studio Card
• Newsletters
• Membership Card

Note: The two kits offered in '95 offered very different items.


1996-97
Collector's Club List

• B&W Photo with replica signature
• Big Hurt Note Pad
• Big Hurt Candy Bar
• Big Hurt Bookmark
• Newsletters*
• Membership Card

Note: In the last year all club kits were identical.


^ Click To Read About "The Hunt" ^

 

Items annotated with an "*" are those I'd like to purchase

Recently, I ran across an eBay lot being sold by someone who was either a former fan or had access to a lot of stuff from the club. In addition to the Member's Club card in the auction lot, he had one of the '95 Studio Thomas Collection autographed cards which Frank gave out to club members. I purchased the lot specifically because of the latter. I always figured that since the 1995 Studio Collection had five cards in the set, it was reasonable to presume that Frank was given complete sets by Donruss for his personal use. But I had only my own kit to refer to and it remained a backburner issue. So when I saw the auction - and his version of the autographed Studio Collection - I grabbed it immediately. I hope one day to collect a "complete set" of the Club Autos.

The following are some seldom seen Club items:



Big Hurt Fan Club Phone Card by Ameritech
Personal Note: Is it just me or does it seem like the person who created the artwork for this phonecard was trippin' the light fantastic with Mary Jane, lava lamps, and sitar music playing in the background?

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