Frank Thomas and his family on Friday. (From left to right) Sterling (17), wife Megan, son Frank (15 months), Sydney (13) and Sloan (15). (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)
By Dave van Dyck
The White Sox said Friday they will retire Frank Thomas' No. 35, as their former slugger officially announced his retirement at U. S. Cellular Field.
Thomas' uniform number will be retired during an on-field ceremony on "Frank Thomas Day," Aug. 29, when the team hosts the New York Yankees at 1:05 p.m.
"I'm very, very proud and honored," Thomas said of having his number retired. "If it was up to me, I would have
played every year of my career here in Chicago. But I understand pro
sports, and as guys get older, guys move around. But this is where I've
always wanted to be, and to have my number retired here, it's a huge
honor."
Thomas, who last played for the White Sox in 2005 before finishing in
Toronto and Oakland with 521 career home runs, didn’t play last season.
At age 41, he said he realizes his retirement announcement has been “a
long time coming.”
“I had to get baseball out of my system before I made this announcement,” Thomas said.
“I’m at peace with it. I had one heck of a career, proud of it. It’s been one hell of a ride.”
Thomas’ No. 35 becomes the 10th uniform number to be retired by the
White Sox, joining No. 2 (Nellie Fox), No. 3 (Harold Baines), No. 4
(Luke Appling), No. 9 (Minnie Minoso), No. 11 (Luis Aparicio, currently
un-retired for the 2010 season), No. 16 (Ted Lyons), No. 19 (Billy
Pierce), No. 42 (Jackie Robinson) and No. 72 (Carlton Fisk).
“Everyone who enjoyed watching Frank Thomas perform during his
outstanding career with the White Sox quickly realized we were watching
one of the greatest offensive players of all-time, a player destined to
re-write our club’s record books,” Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in
a statement. “When your career comes to an end and your body of work is
compared to Hall of Famers like Mel Ott, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams,
you truly rank among baseball royalty.
“I believe it is only a matter of time until Frank receives the game’s
greatest honor in Cooperstown and he unquestionably deserves the honor
of being recognized among the elite White Sox players in this
franchise’s history by having his No. 35 retired.”
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i've been following thomas since 1990, ik everything about him. I'm not a genious or the dude from stump the shwab(however its spelled) but i can tell u damn near everything and anything about frank. Looking at some of these posts most cubs fans really ruined it for the few good ones in here. Argue with me about him and your gona get embarrased. When sosa and all them "testified" against steroids dumbass they were DEFENDING themselves and all proven guilty in different ways, thomas always advocated drug testing and so forth. he SEEKED OUT people like the mitchell report and put his name out there to defend the clean playing of baseball. So if thomas ever was doing it why in the name of god would he throw his name out there or even just stick his neck out to defend the right way to play the game if he was doing it? REALLY? holy crap idk if its just me but if i was making millions and cheating at the same time i would lay low and not consistintly get involved with something I WAS DOING!. Now onto the most celebrated failures in sports, THIS IS OUR YEAR! like for real? its been 102 years now thats not even funny. Your one hero u bragged about did steroids and fell apart completley when his cork ass noob stick flew out of his bat. Your one chance to win u blew terribly and blamed it on some nerdy ass fan who mistakenly touched the ball when even after that you should have clearly won but i guess in this case u shouldn't have since you r the cubs and u can always say we suck or TRY and think of ways to rile sox fans but shit we can go 0-162 but what can u say? we won a world series 4 or 5 years back now put your number next to that- 102 years...........DAMN! now find some more excuses that u know aren't relevant to this article and try taking your century long built up anger out on stupid things like frank thomas retiring so us sox fans can laugh. we know the truth, hate em or love em, hes a white sox, no cork, no needle in the ass, no going from black to white, no blaming another failing season on a fellow fans hands or a fucking goat oh and finally i cant wait til u sit at your computer and try and think of something clever to say or look up some stats about your HOF's or players on google to look smart i gotta give u cubbies credit for one thing though, determination.....grant it it hasnt been workin for uh well quite some time now but hey its alright! and dont forget 2 call me a nerd or loser or tell me im writing a book and i dont have a life i just wanted to see what it was like to talk shit over the internet but i made sure it was as long and as annoying as possible, i think the best part is knowing this will continue after the my post anyway haha PEACE!
It's not incredibly naive to say that Frank didn't take steriods** [fail on my part :)]
It is not incredibly naive to say that Frank Thomas took steriods. In fact, I think it's incredibly naive to say he did. People are so conditioned to believe that being big and strong means you're are on something. Some people work hard in the weightroom without cutting corners, and some people are just physical specimens. He was ALWAYS that big. Maybe he wasn't 275 pounds his whole career, but he did come in at 6'5" and was always just a huge, incredibly powerful man. And don't pull the whole college-football-for-a-major-school-so-he-must-have; what the hell do you have to gain from steriods when you're already a 6'5", 230+ pound tight end? Why do people feel the need to rip a great player's career like this? Celebrate the guy! He was a joy to watch.
Quote: Frank Thomas has never been accused by anyone of using steroids. In all the commissions that have examined steroids in baseball none have named him as a user. The only people who are accusing Frank of beinga user are you cub fans who just by the fact that you are cub fans prove that you know nothing about baseball, and sports in general.
NAVYFLYER09 on February 12, 2010 10:19 PM
The Big Hurt was a tight end in major college football. To believe he was not a user in the known “steroid era” is just being naïve.
Growing up in the 90's watching WGN; Frank Thomas made me a White Sox fan. Congrats Big Hurt!
OZZIE: "Really? I seem to remember Albert Belle,Parque, Canseco, Giambi and Thomas on the Sox. I believe all of them where known steroid users."
Ozzie, your stupidity is only exceeded by your ignorance.
Albert Belle has never been accused of using steroids.
Jim Parque took steroids but only after he was released by the Sox in 2002. He played one more year in 2003 with Tampa.
Jason Giambi was never on the Sox.
Frank Thomas has never been accused by anyone of using steroids. In all the commissions that have examined steroids in baseball none have named him as a user. The only people who are accusing Frank of beinga user are you cub fans who just by the fact that you are cub fans prove that you know nothing about baseball, and sports in general.
So that leaves you with Canseco who played all of 76 games (4% of his career) with the Sox in 2001. The Sox released him at the end of the season and he retired.
So you batted .200 with no home runs. Yep, definitely cub material.
Congrats to Frank (Big Hurt) on his retirement. Hope that he makes it into the Hall of Fame.
Slueth on February 12, 2010 5:48 PM
Roman F on February 12, 2010 5:39 PM
Groan! This should be a celebration for the city, instead it's Cubs vs. Sox again.
______________________________________________________
We don't celebrate drug users in this city. Although seeing another one gone is not a bad reason to be happy.
GB Frank.
______________________________________________________
If you're going to pretend to be me, you could at least spell my name correctly. It's true, we don't celebrate drug users in this city, which is why we celebrate THE BIG HURT!
bravo!!!
It's great watching the cub fans rip on Frank. He's a better hitter than the cubs ever had. 101 years with no World Series Championship. And t he only known steroid user on either team was Sammy "SO-SO" Sosa. Known now a days as Albino Sammy So-So Sosa.
You cub fans can rip on Frank all you. The people who know baseball know that Frank was the best hitter in the history of Chicago baseball and did it without steroids.
Oh yea, before I forget. Only 99 more years until we celebrate the two century mark.
Have to laugh at the lovable losers posts. Why are Cub fans the ONLY ones who nay Frank was a steroid user? For some reason, they must be jealous. Frank spoke out against roids. He also was the only player to volunteer to testify before Congress, against the players unions wishes. He went on record as early as 1995 advocating steroid testing. congrats on having your no. retired & we look forward to your entrance into the HOF.
Groan! This should be a celebration for the city, instead it's Cubs vs. Sox again.
Jim Joyce on February 12, 2010 5:33 PM
Sleuth on February 12, 2010 5:30 PM
______________________________________
I bet you hear/see ghosts all the time.
Do you find yourself looking behind yourself to see who's following you?
Sad
I bet I'm now the same person as everyone else too.
______________________________________
Yup! I'd feel bad too if my team hadn't won in 100 years but I still wouldn't resort to smearing someone's name.
Absolutely. From 1990-97 The Big Hurt was baseball's best hitter since Ted Williams, outhitting even Mantle, Mays, and the many steroid cheaters. Big Frank then declined largely due to injuries, but still compiled the 15th best all-time OPS - that's On-base and slugging Percentages, Cub fans. Want a joke? Andre Dawson had the 362nd best OPS - behind Bill Madlock, Jason Thompson, and Robin Ventura.
NYY = P.A.S. = Dan = James Patrick = Rick James = soxfun (that’s mean to steal someone else’s name) = New low for the Sox = Tom Ivan = This is sad = Jim Richards = drewerd = xlefty46 and probably = Frank fan = Frannk
= New low for drewerd.
Pathetic. You’re a disgrace to Chicago, trying to smear a clean player’s name because you don’t like the team he plays for. The Trib should shut down these comments because of people like you.
NYY...Really? No chance? 500+homers, 1500 walks, 1000 RBI's, .300 BA. No chance. You have no chance of ever knowing the game of baseball.
I will be there on Frank Thomas Jersey Day...sponsored by Clear..and I'm not talking the wireless provider.
They'll eventually have to make room for 2 additional White Sox caricatures on the walls of US Cellular Field: Frank Thomas and Mark Buerhle.
Frank Thomas is one of the best ever, and for sure dominated for a generation, enough to be a first ballot HoFer: http://yallkiltit.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/the-proto-pujols-frank-thomas-retires/
Frank was the man from the first day he set foot in Chicago. We were in deed lucky to have a guy with his qualities on our team. If he hadn't been let go in 2006 we would have won another series.
I'll be there cheering when they retire his number, just as I was when he came to town with the A's the first time. One of the all-time great hitters, period. And as for him whining about playing 1B: get your facts straight. he complained when the Sox told him they were moving him to DH permanently, pointing out that he hit much better as a 1B than as a DH. They said, tough, you're our DH. He worked at it, adjusted (though he was never as good coming off the bench as he was when he was playing 1B), and then, over a year later, they said, We want you to play 1B. That's when he balked at playing 1B, complaining because they kept changing their minds and because he was over a year away from any consistent work at fielding (never his strength). Reporters who weren't fond of him neglected to mention that, just accusing him of whining about being asked to play defense. Bottom line, first ballot HOF in any era.
Dan on February 12, 2010 4:11 PM
They'll just unretire it the next time a big-name hitter wants one more year with a Chicago club.
No biggie.
Sort of like the Cubs retiring the Braves soon to be Hall of Fame pitcher, Greg Maddux's number. Jealous Cubbie fans everywhere today. You'll be a lot more jealous in October Ma'am.
They'll just unretire it the next time a big-name hitter wants one more year with a Chicago club.
No biggie.
The great Braves pitcher Greg Maddux and the great White Sox hitter Frank Thomas are shoe-in first ballot HOF's. Congrats.
JFV on February 12, 2010 3:48 PM
SOX have no business honoring this clown for anything. He didn't play fair OR well and he can't marry within his own race. Hell, he can't even speak a routine sentence.
Thanks for your input Mr. Woo Woo, or can I call you Ronnie? By the way, why did the Cubs retire the number of that great Braves pitcher, Greg Maddux and when will they retire that marginal Expo, Andre Dawson's number?
@cub fan not a bud man
you say... "I'm not sure what Ron Santo has to do with Frank Thomas"
The main point of all these comments is whether Frank Thomas is worthy of the Hall of Fame, or at least of having his # retired. And many of these comments question Thomas's HOF worthiness not because of his baseball accomplishments, but because he has been self-centered and whiny at various points in his career. And many of these comments come from Cub fans whose main purpose is to rattle the cage of Sox fans.
So it is fair comment to point out the parallels with a former Cub who many Cub fans believe had a Hall of Fame career, but whose self-centeredness and whininess have probably hurt his chances. Bringing up his diabetes and amputations is irrelevant. I'm sorry he has health problems. But he whined in the 60s when he was a good-to-great 3b for the Cubs, he whined the one year he played for the Sox in 1974 (ask my brother Dick Allen), he has whined for years as an announcer, and he has whined in recent years about not getting into the HOF. None of that should be relevant to whether he gets in, just as none of Thomas's personality or attitude problems should detract from his unquestioned record of performance.
SOX have no business honoring this clown for anything. He didn't play fair OR well and he can't marry within his own race. Hell, he can't even speak a routine sentence.
Best hitter ever to play in Chicago. When you look at his career stats, he beats Bank and Sosa in the majority of the major categories:
Games: Frank: 2322 Ernie: 2528 Sosa: 2354
Runs: 1494 1305 1475
Hits: 2468 2583 2408
2B: 495 407 379
3B: 12 90 45
HR: 521 512 609
RBI: 1704 1636 1667
Walks: 1667 763 929
BA: .301 .274 .273
OBP: .419 .330 .344
Slug: .555 .500 .534
TB: 4550 4706 4704
It is for certain that Ernie never used steroids. It is also highly unlikely that Frank never did as his name has never been on anyone's suspect list and he has been very outspoken about it. On the other hand the jury is still out on Sammy and his Flinstone vitamins. He surely did grow a ton of muscles after he left the White Sox. Whereas Ernie stayed about the same size throughout his career and was a skinny muscular. Frank was big in high school in the 1980's and his size never changed much throughout his career.
The Big Hurl...or maybe it was The Big Hurt...same thing. He gone! Grab some bench! Yes! Na na na na! Na na na na! Hey, hey, hey! Goodbye!
@ Phil on February 12, 2010 12:53 PM
If you have evidence, please bring it forward. Otherwise...
@Hank Allen
I'm not sure what Ron Santo has to do with Frank Thomas. Please fill us in. Santo has lost two legs due to diabetes (and, to be fair, his drinking).
I am one Cubs fan who really liked and enjoyed Thomas. But a dig at Santo is not cool, even if he has brought on much of his pain on himself.
Fans are so weird. Why not just appreciate Frank Thomas for who he is and what he did for this city and leave it at that? Sheesh.
Yes, Frank could be a bit of a whiner, but anyone who follows sports at all knows that many of the top-echelon athletes are difficult people. Michael Jordan, for instance, was quite often mean and vindictive, but his marketing operation turned it into "intensity" and "desire." Frank never had the benefit of being marketed very well (not sure why), so for some people his missteps have overshadowed what was without a doubt the greatest career ever by a White Sox. I wish he stayed here the whole time, I wish he didn't foolishly opt out of his long-term contract, I wish he didn't get into tiffs with Kenny Williams, but none of that erases his incomparable accomplishments. And for any Cub fans casting aspersions about Frank's whining, here are two words for you over in your glass house: Ron Santo.
Bridgeport Bob said "That is every bit as dumb to say as the people who think they Know that he did drugs. Did Manny look like he was using?"
Yes.
tinyurl.com/yllho5x
it is altogether fitting and proper that they do this. But in a larger sense, they can not dedicate, they can not concecrate, they can not hallow his uniform number.
All the Cubs fans here whining about how Frank's batting average dropped over his last 7 years and point solely to that as evidence of steroid use is completely ignorant.
While you imbeciles were gawking over Sammy Sosa and Glenallen Hill steroid fueled 600 foot home runs, I was an actual keen observer of Frank Thomas' career. When you're 6-5, 275 lbs and you suffer from numerous left ankle injuries, it kind of affects how well you can hit a baseball. I cringed every time he fouled a ball off that foot because I could tell what pain he was in. He worked through it although he lost several seasons to that damn ankle but continued to come back and contribute.
And when you're considered one of the most dangerous and feared hitters of your era by opposing pitchers, it doesn't even matter if he was a dh for the last 10 years of his career.
@Jay Simon
Because Thomas wasn't a steroid user, okay? He was just a big man. He didn't have the weird muscle bulk that Bonds and others came up with mid-career. He was always big and never ridiculous looking.
Ignorance seems to be really catchy on this board which I find sad. Diehard Sox fan, but support the Cubs. No need for pettiness in my world. Both Vizquel and Aparicio are from Venezuala and Vizquel wanted to wear the # to honor who he considers one of the greatest shortstops of all time. Why is that so hard to understand. I didn't like it at first until I heard the explanation. That is what EYES and EARS are for..Oh and THE BRAIN TOO!!
As far as Frank, while at times he stuck his foot in his mouth, he was a great ballplayer who was not always a DH. Played 1B for years before becoming our fulltime DH. From his rookie years to the now...he does not look different, nor is his head 5 sizes different. While I am cynical beyond belief, the White Sox were one of the only teams to call for full steroid testing before it was implemented. So get your facts straight, but than again, most of you guys have no girlfriends, are sitting in your underwear, in your basements of your moms houses. What am I thinking?
Hey drewerd, you might want to change it up a bit. Using 2 first names (e.g. Jay Simon, Rick James) is getting too obvious. Maybe use some more names like "This is sad" or "New Low for Sox" just to throw people off.
What was Shoeless Joe Jackson's number and why ain't it retired?
I think it's funny that Fitz thinks he's very smart.
Guess what Fitz, it's not half the people who think he was on steroids. It's one person posturing as many people.
James Patrick = Rick James = soxfun (that’s mean to steal someone else’s name) = New low for the Sox = Tom Ivan = This is sad = Jim Richards = drewerd = xlefty46 and probably = Frank fan = Frannk
I actually have to go off and do some real work, but there is only one troll on this board who says one or all of the following: 1) Says Frank is a steroid cheat, with no facts to back it up 2) Links Frank to other steroid cheats 3) Links Frank to Auburn and says he's therefore a steroid cheat 4) Says Frank is a steroid cheat because he's from the steroid era.
It's ONE GUY who guys by drewerd on non-breaking news stories and by 80 or so names here.
I like good beer, not that swill the they crank out of St. Louis. Anyway, any real sports fan appreciates Frank Thomas. Honestly, I find Sox and Cubs fans who hate the other team annoying and immature, but even if I didn't I'd still love Thomas. BTW, White Sox fans, do you know one of the greatest players in your history? It was Walt Williams, who proudly spit into his batting helmet as he scratched home plate with his foot.
People who hate "the other team" only rob themselves of great moments like that. I guess the reason it isn't famous is because Jack Drees was the announcer during that era.
Does Ted Williams belong in the Hall of Fame?
Was he especially nice to fans and sportswriters?
Would he have ever played the field if there were a DH rule?
Frank should be a first ballot Hall of Famer.
Steroids can't even be mentioned when talking about Frank, except that he lost a 3rd MVP to Giambi who cheated.
Will there be a kleenex attached to the flag? there should be for all the whining he has done.
Congrats, Frank! Next stop: HOF.
Also - Thanks to the Tribune for the nice photo of Frank's family.
They must be very proud of Frank and his distinguished career.
You played Americas pastime right and you played it CLEAN.
First ballot HOF'er without a doubt. Frank and Griffey Jr. will be remembered as the two greatest hitters of the 90's.
Rick James = soxfun (that’s mean to steal someone else’s name) = New low for the Sox = Tom Ivan = This is sad = Jim Richards = drewerd = xlefty46 and probably = Frank fan = Frannk
Doesn’t study hall end soon? Run along and get to your next class.
I am proud to have been able to watch one of the true greats play for the Chicago White Sox. He loved Chicago.
And I for one Loved him.
Thank you Frank.
Congratulations To Frank Thomas.
The Best White Sox hitter of all Time.
Don’t blame Cubs fans, as in plural. This is like “The Exorcist,” there is only one!
New low for the Sox = Tom Ivan = This is sad = Jim Richards = drewerd = xlefty46 (the last 2 posted on other Frank Thomas articles).
Hate leads to the dark side.
Die Hard Cubs fan #1 but #2 baseball fan and to other people saying Thomas doesn't deserve HOF your crazy. To the person saying he was a known steroid user please post where I can find one article saying he used please. Please don't group all Cubs fans with the idiot's some Cub fans clearly love the game of baseball and notice great when we see it. Frank Thomas was great no doubt. Congrats to him for an OUTSTANDING career.
Oh and Frannk, That is exactly what we expect from Cub Fans except for one thing...... You actually Spelled the word Cheat right.
I Guess that makes sense knowing Sammy was your star player.
Every Frank Thomas at bat was appointment television. He was an amazing hitter, the best in Sox history. Congrats Frank!
Thomas will go in the Hall in 2014, the first year he is eligible. The sad thing is that everyone who played the game during the "steroid era" can be considered suspect. Frank Thomas was a huge strong guy all of his career. Personally, I don't think he juiced. He did it the right way as did many other players. Until proof is provided, speculation and opinion on players will always be just that. Frank Thomas doesn't care what anyone on here thinks. Just like anything in life, a person knows their own soul, what they did with honesty or cheated at. Again, opinion and speculation on these boards and nothing else. Congratulations "Big Hurt" for a great career. Cooperstown 2014!
Man can you tell the idiot Cub Fans Here. A Little Jelous. Santo?? NO!!! Ha Ha Dawson a Cub in the Hall?? NO Ha Ha!! Cheating, Steroid Using, Corked Bat swinging Sammy Sosa?? NO Ha Ha !!! World Series for over a Hundred years? NO Ha Ha.
You Jokes have Nothing to Post about. Frank Thomas was one of the best pure Hitters in the Game. He is clean, he was the ONLY major leaguer to offer to go talk to anyone who would listen and also was tested Numerous times and........... NADA. Get a Life girls.
First ballot hall of famer no doubt one of my all-time favorites when i was growing up it was Frank Thomas and Mark Grace both are what always inspired me
@New low for the Sox,
First, Frank's average in his last eight seasons was .262, not .239. Next time, don't pull numbers out of your butt.
Second, even with his (normal) decline, his career OPS+ is the 20th best ever. That's a Hall of Famer every day.
Shouldn't retiring a number mean something? They retired Harold Baines number while he was still playing. At least he was a stand up guy. The HOF is a special honor that the Big Hurt does not deserve. It is meant for career distinction, not just a good/great run of years. Plus, it should be weighted for a man's character which in Frank's case is poor at best. A HOF'er should be someone that lived up to or exceeded their potential. Can any of his supporters honestly say he achieved success equal to his natural ability? I vote no to retiring his number and yes to the Hall of Unfulfilled Potential.
KJ in LA on February 12, 2010 11:59 AM
No worries...they'll UNRETIRE it before the season begins and give 35 to Andruw Jones.
You know, I'm a Sox fan yada, yada, yada.......
Thanks for posting Mr. Cub.
Conrats to Big Frank! A sure first ballot Hall of Famer who did it the right way, not a cheating juicer like Cubs players Sosa, Palmeiro, Wood, Dawson etc. Well Done!
Tom Ivan on February 12, 2010 11:58 AM
Frank will never get past his past, going to Auburn and playing football in the program known as the worst in the country for steroid abuse combined with him losing .108 points off his career batting average in the last 8 years of his career, which just happened to coincide with when they started drug testing,will and should keep him out of the HOF forever.
The cheats of his era need to be taken out of the record books. Retiring his number is a disgrace to sports.
Thomas is a sure first ballot HOF'r but thanks for your continued jealous input Mr. Cub fan of 1000 names. Maybe sometime next century a real Cub player will make the HOF like your last one, the illegal drug abuser Fergie Jenkins.
You are all idiots. Read the Mitchell report, Mitchell specifically thanks Frank Thomas for being the only player in all of MLB to be interviewed regarding steroid use. He always staunchly defended himself and would take any steroid test asked of him. He always was a big guy, and he always hit for power. His career declined because of injuries, which steroids are supposed to help you recoup from. Fact is, Thomas and Griffey were the best hitters in the 90's and they never used steroids.
No worries...they'll UNRETIRE it before the season begins and give 35 to Andruw Jones.
You know, I'm a Sox fan, but I have to tell ya, this particular organization is truly a joke. Retiring and unretiring numbers. Hiring Omar Visquel out of the nursing home.
Kenny Williams and the gang should just try fielding a competitive team of PLAYERS rather than washed up, ailing has-beens, and retiring and unretiring jersey numbers.
I like good baseball, not publicity stunts.
TR, Ozzie Smith disagrees with your statement about half baseball players making the Hall.
Jim Richards also is committing Character Assassination-- That is why schools do not recognize Wikipedia as authentic--because of people who don't know what they are talking about.
"This is sad" is totally off base--Thomas was the leader in an he left- A natural, powerful hitter effort, opposed by the players union, to have mandatory drug testing years ago--If there is one player who I'd bet my life on that never used enhancement drugs, it was Frank. In came into baseball the way
TR on February 12, 2010 11:36 AM
No room in Cooperstown for half ballplayer DH's.
So of course you are referring to every pitcher in the HOF. Hate to disappoint you Mr. Cub but Thomas is a shoe-in first ballot HOF'r and he will wear a Sox cap.
"You can put he Big Hurt in the haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall yessssssssssssssss!!!!!!!! Frank Thomas is my favorite baseball player of all time! His patience at the bat was amazing! I also remember him making some great streeeetch plays at 1st base too.
Cooperstown 2014! Congrtas Frank!
too bad he got Dunlap's disease - he could have really been good. Might have even been able to play a little defense. No room in Cooperstown for half ballplayer DH's.
reinsdorf started the bad blood between the sox and thomas with that diminished skills contract. not a way to treat the greatest hitter in sox history. he was compared to ted williams.
I watched or listened to most of Frank's games with the White Sox, I'm glad the Sox organization has retired his number 35.
BTW - Big Frank is also my 13 year-old daughter's favorite White Sox player of all time, mostly because he took the time to sign an autograph and take a picture with her when she was 6.
Retiring his number doesn't seem like much of an honor coming only days after they unretired Aparicio's number for an over the hill veteran like Vizquel.
As a kid growing up during the 90's Frank Thomas was an icon for the game of baseball. He was arguably the best hitter of the 90's when you combine his BA, ON BASE, HR, RBI production. Its a well deserved honor for him and although I didnt agree with his contract dispute he had with the White Sox I will give him his props and if he isnt a 1st Ballot hall of famer I dont know who is. THis is all coming from a Cubs fan as well.
Congrats on an incredible career and see you in Cooperstown someday! A big thank from this White Sox fan who grew up watching you.
good for Frank, too bad they will just unretire it when they see fit.
asterisk is immature. This isn't about cubs/sox. Its about the greatest hitter in the history of the Sox organization. Congrats Frank.
A truly deserved honor for Big Hurt. He may have been a bit of a hot head, but the fact that he put up big numbers the natural way, while his counterparts did their's under a cloud of steroids, creates a new appreciation of his talents.
i just realized i`ve seen 6 of the those players....
now if they can put a decent team on the field this year....
To asterisk Thomas< I take it you are a cubs fan. While the Sox retire #35, maybe the cubs can retire sosa's corked bat and syringe. Hey , anyone can have a bad century PLUS!!!