Frank Thomas Positions: Designated Hitter and First Baseman Bats: Right • Throws: Right 6-5, 240lb (196cm, 108kg) Born: May 27, 1968 in Columbus, GA Draft: Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 1st round (7th) of the 1989 MLB June Amateur Draft from Auburn University (Auburn, AL). High School: Columbus HS (Columbus, GA) School: Auburn University (Auburn, AL) Debut: August 2, 1990 (15,822nd in major league history) vs. MIL 4 AB, 0 H,…
Frank Thomas Positions: Bats: R Throws: R Height: 75 Weight: 200 Born: Tuesday, June 11, 1929 in Pittsburgh, PA USA Died: in , Debut: 8/17/1951 Last Game: 5/30/1966 Full Name: Frank Joseph Thomas
A huge crowd estimated at 48,000 is on hand for the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, NY. This year’s class is unusually large and prestigious, featuring three players elected on the first ballot: 300-game winners Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine and slugger Frank Thomas, a member of the 500 home run club. Joining them are three managers who stand at #3, 4 and 5 on the all-time win list in Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre. Maddux, Glavine and Cox all found their greatest success in the great Atlanta Braves teams of the late 1990s.
2014 – One year after failing to elect anyone, the BBWAA atones by giving three players their ticket to Cooperstown in this year’s Hall of Fame election. Ps Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, 300-game winners both, and 1B Frank Thomas are all elected on their first try, while 2B Craig Biggio falls only two votes short of enshrinement.
President Obama, a diehard White Sox Fan, calls Frank Thomas to congratulate the slugger on his first-ballot election to the Hall of Fame. The ‘Big Hurt’ shares the news of his conversation with the Commander-in-Chief during an afternoon press conference at U.S. Cellular Field, after tweeting his fans, “What a day!! First HOF and Second Our Wonderful President Of The United States Called Me!!! #LifeMadeHOF2014” @TheBigHurt_35.
Two long-time baseball icons officially hang their spikes today, although neither played last season. Pitcher Tom Glavine, after 305 wins and two Cy Young Awards, accepts a position in the Atlanta Braves’ front office as a special assistant to team President John Schuerholz, putting an end to any desire for a comeback attempt, which would have required undergoing another arm surgery. For his part, 1B/DH Frank Thomas, nicknamed “The Big Hurt”, veteran of 19 seasons during which he hit .301 with 521 homers and 1704 RBI, announces he will not attempt a comeback either. He last played for the Oakland Athletics in 2008 but could find no takers for his services last season.
2008 – The Blue Jays release former superstar Frank Thomas, who has 516 major league home runs and a 979 career OPS to his name. A five-time All-Star and two-time MVP, Thomas has gotten into conflict with manager John Gibbons, who benched him. After a clubhouse meeting, Toronto G.M. J.P. Ricciardi and the designated hitter reach a “mutual agreement,” that gives the disgruntled player an opportunity to continue to be a full-time player on another team. Thomas is 12th all-time in major league history in OPS, 9th in walks and 18th in home runs. It is the third major player-manager conflict for Gibbons in his time with Toronto; he will be fired and replaced by Cito Gaston in a few weeks.
Frank Thomas hit his 500th home run. He is the 21st member of the 500 home run club. He connects with a 3-run shot in the first against Carlos Silva, going 396 feet to left field. The hit is the difference in a 5 – 4 victory by the Jays.
“He’s an idiot. He’s selfish. That’s why we don’t miss him. And we’ve held it in for far too long.” – KENNY WILLIAMS, White Sox general manager, reacting to his former player’s negative comments. Frustrated with the latest comments from former employee Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams responds by calling his former superstar selfish as well as being an idiot. The former MVP, who signed with the A’s in January, has been very vocal about feeling unappreciated and mistreated by Chicago after spending 16 years with the organization.
2000 – Jason Giambi of the Oakland Athletics, who hit .333 with 43 home runs and 137 RBI, wins the American League MVP Award, edging out two-time winner White Sox first baseman Frank Thomas, who had a batting line of .328, 43, 112.