‘The Big Hurt’ — Frank Thomas — one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball history — finally had his day with his enshrinement in Cooperstown. Behind 83.7 percent of the votes, Thomas was elected a first ballot Hall of Famer.
In an emotional speech, Thomas thanked everyone along the way from his late Father to his mentors, coaches, trainers, and White Sox announcer Ken “Hawk” Harrelson. He even thanked his doctors and every teammate he has taken out to dinner.
Thomas played his career the right way. In an era with the majority of sluggers using steroids, Thomas took the high road. Using his freakish athletic ability all to his own, ‘The Big Hurt’ intimidated every pitcher he faced, and his statistics proved it.
A career .301 hitter, Thomas joins a select list of players to finish their careers above .300 with 500+ home runs. He joins a list of legendary players: Ted Williams, Jimmie Foxx, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Manny Ramirez, and Alex Rodriguez. Now, add Frank Thomas — that is quite the list.
Thomas’ final stats are most impressive: 1st round pick (7th overall/1989 draft), 521 career home runs, 1,704 RBI’s, 1,494 runs scored, 1,667 walks, .301 average, .419 on-base percentage, 73.7 WAR and .555 slugging percentage.
He was also a 2x MVP, 4x Silver Slugger, 1x batting champion, 5x All Star, and 1x Comeback Player of the Year.
The White Sox retired his #35 and placed a towering statue of “The Big Hurt” in the left center field concourse of US Cellular Field.
It was a real treat growing up near Chicago and watching “The Big Hurt” play in person and on television at Comiskey Park first and then US Cellular Field. Watching Thomas warm up in the on-deck circle swinging a steel rod at the old Comiskey Park is something I will never forget. Thomas was always one of the biggest guys on the field and had a superhero persona about him.
Thomas was one of a few players to dominate the game of baseball in an era filled with cheaters. It is safe to say that it may take a long while before baseball sees another “clean” player produce the numbers that Thomas did.
His list of career accomplishments is a long one that associates him with many historic baseball names. My favorite quote of his was, “It means a lot to me because I did it the right way.” Thomas has never been shy about his anti-steroid stance, and I am glad he accomplished everything the right way.
Congratulations to Frank Thomas, and the entire Hall of Fame Class of 2014!
*Bonus video of more Frank Thomas highlights
