F is For Frank

White Sox Homerun hitters from A.J. to Zeke

F is for Frank

 Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas

I am listening to Frank Thomas give his 2014 HOF induction speech while I type this.  It is available at A to Z blogging toady by clicking Home School Dad.  I went to Cooperstown last year to see Frank inducted and this speech was the highlight of my time there.    I love it when he lists  so many of his former coaches and his teammates.  He gave his speech with the same exuberance that came with every swing of his bat.  

Thomas hit 448 of his 521 runs when with the  White Sox  from 1990 to 2005.  Thomas is the White Sox all-time HR leader for  the White Sox and hit for a .307 average for the pale hose.  The Big Hurt averaged 36 home runs for every 162 major league games he played.  Frank hit 40 or more homers for the White Sox for 5 different seasons.  His 2 highest totals were 43 in 2000, and 42 in 2003.

Now that Paul Konerko has retired, no current ChiSox player is anywhere near Thomas's prodigious HR numbers.  Record or not Thomas will be long remembered on the South Side of Chicago.  For more A to Z blogging click here.

F is For Frank Thomas (Person)

Last year, my son and I drove to New York to see Frank Thomas be inducted into the baseball hall of fame. It was an awesome experience. I am delighted to share today the video of his acceptance speech. Frank played baseball the right way and his speech really showed his tremendous love for the game and appreciation of his teammates.




I am also posting about Frank at Crazy Uncle Dave's Sport-O-Rama today. Frank hit 441 home runs with the White Sox which puts him first on the White Sox list for all time home runs. Click here to see that post. For more A to Z blogging click here. On a more somber note, on 4/7/12 I blogged about grief as it was the 3 year anniversary of my brother's death.  That time has now doubled and my post from 3 years ago can be found here.