Photo: Frank Thomas waves after addressing the crowd. (Jose M. Osorio / Tribune)
By Dave van Dyck
Frank Thomas became the 10th White Sox player to have his number retired during pre-game ceremonies before a packed crowd at U. S. Cellular Field Sunday. The Sox also said he would become the eighth ex-Sox to have a bronze sculpture erected to center field, which will happen next season.
"I'm from a small town in Georgia and there you can only dream about something like this," he said, "but I've always dreamed."
Thomas thanked the city and its fans, who "made me what I am." He estimated he played with 800 teammates during his 19 years.
Photo gallery: Frank Thomas in action
Many of his ex-teammates were in attendance, including Carlton Fisk, Jermaine Dye, Bobby Thigpen and Harold Baines, who is a Sox coach. Baines' No. 3 is among those retired.
There was a video tribute for Thomas, who was then presented a painting and framed jersey by chairman Jerry Reinsdorf near home plate before his image with the No. 35 was unveiled along the wall in left-center and fireworks went off.
Thomas retired in February after a 19-year career in which the two-time AL MVP hit .301 with 521 homers and 1,704 RBIs.
The Big Hurt made his major league debut in 1990 and set club marks for homers (448) and RBIs (1,465) before splitting his final three seasons with Toronto.
Photo: Former players Billy Pierce and Carlton Fisk unveil Thomas' portrait. (Jose M. Osorio / Tribune)
There was a video tribute for Thomas, who was then presented a painting and framed jersey by chairman Jerry Reinsdorf near home plate before his image with the No. 35 was unveiled along the wall in left-center and fireworks went off.
Thomas retired in February after a 19-year career in which the two-time AL MVP hit .301 with 521 homers and 1,704 RBIs.
The Big Hurt made his major league debut in 1990 and set club marks for homers (448) and RBIs (1,465) before splitting his final three seasons with Toronto.
Photo: Former players Billy Pierce and Carlton Fisk unveil Thomas' portrait. (Jose M. Osorio / Tribune) 
In 2003, 16 members of the White Sox -- Frank Thomas included -- refused the initial phase of steroid testing. But they didn't do so out of fear or defiance. This was before any player could get suspended for a positive test. Under the terms of the CBA, a refused test would count as a "positive", and if over 5% of the league tested positive, full enforcement would begin in 2005.
By refusing the test, the White Sox were trying to trigger the mandatory testing. They were appalled at the state of steroids in the game, and it was a way to motivate baseball to clean itself up.
So, if Frank was dirty, why would he join in a ruse to bring about mandatory testing?
"He came from the steroid era, so guilty or not, he gets an asterisk. Sorry Big Skirt"
Just like all Jews killed Jesus and all Muslims are Terrorists, right?
Absolutes are such time savers! I don't even need a reason to hate stuff now!
He came from the steroid era, so guilty or not, he gets an asterisk. Sorry Big Skirt
If this guy gets in the hall of fame, then what value does the HOF have? No offense, but his numbers arent' THAT impressive. Neither are a lot of players that make it in.
It's all a big joke
love, tim
Frank Thomas was the cleanest player in all of baseball. There was no way that he's ever taken any types of HGH, or any steriods while he played baseball. He was just a solid all around hitter, and most important was a classic person too.
I loved the fact that Terry Bevington, aka The Idiot, got booed by Sox fans when introduced.
Sox fans have long memories and what in the world could management possibly be thinking of by inviting possibly the most inept Sox manager of all time?
Mark Liptak
Don't forget to support don't ask don't tell,It's what happiness is all about for so many of us
Just have love you Sox haters.
Frank Thomas has ALWAYS spoken out against the use of steroids. He has NEVER been accused by anyone with any knowledge of the game and inside of the game of having used steroids.
But you cubbette fans keep on making your libel assertions while hiding behind your screen names. It's not that you've had a baseball team to root for for the past 102 years, so I guess you have to occupy your time somehow.
only by the truly ignorant like you, yessox.
AA, that Good looking Blonde is Franks Wife.
Who is that good looking woman in the back round ?!!
I always appreciate seeing Billy Pierce being involved in these tributes and his continual involvement in Sox affairs. I have had the honor of knowing Bill personally and he is one of the finest human beings that one could ever meet.
I know that he admired Frank and his accomplishments with the Sox and for him to be involved in the ceremony in this manner is very important. Thomas definitely belongs in the Hall of Fame! Great player and great person and he was ab;le to put up those stats with natural talent and not artificially produced ability which is even more incredible in this modern era of baseball!
Cubs fan, but Frank is one of my favorites of all time. He is the epitome of the Chicago athlete. He did it the right way without any PEDs...just his God-given talent. First ballot HOFer no doubt.
Congratulations Frank! You are very deserving of this honor!!! Really like seeing you on the post-games with Chuck Garfein and Beltin' Bill Melton .... :-)