Frank Thomas Article

[DBAHO]

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Frank Thomas, in his words, has "turned the corner" on his career.

 

At 35, Thomas knows his best days, the days when he was perhaps the most dangerous hitter in baseball, are behind him. But he doesn't plan on going meekly into retirement, whenever that may be.

 

"My focus is on a [World Series] ring and giving the best individual effort that I can," Thomas said.

 

But now that he's closer to the end than the beginning, Thomas has begun to look back on what he has done, what he still might do and where he will rank in the history of the game when he's finished.

 

"He's a first-ballot Hall of Famer," Sox first baseman Paul Konerko said succinctly.

 

Whether Thomas is worthy may be influenced by his personality and issues that have surrounded him off the field as much as by the numbers he has produced on it.

 

From 1991—his first full season in Chicago—to 1998, Thomas became the only player in history to hit better than .300 with at least 20 home runs, 100 RBIs, 100 walks and 100 runs scored for seven consecutive seasons.

 

Only Lou Gehrig and Ted Williams accomplished that feat for as many as four consecutive seasons.

 

"It's very difficult to be a dominating hitter for 10 years," Sox catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. said. "He was one of those guys."

 

Last season Thomas surpassed 400 home runs and 2,000 hits. Discounting the 2001 season, when he missed all but 20 games because of a torn triceps, Thomas has averaged 34.5 home runs a season over 12 years. That puts him on pace to reach 500 home runs during the 2007 season.

 

"If he puts three more solid years together, all of a sudden he's at 500 and getting up to 2,500 hits," Sox hitting coach Greg Walker said. "It's a matter of him staying healthy."

 

Despite those numbers, Thomas has detractors who point to his reluctance to play first base, his contract squabbles and his spring training battles with former manager Jerry Manuel as evidence of a me-first attitude.

 

"Frank is a guy who when he goes on the field, he does his job," shortstop Jose Valentin said.

 

Thomas, Valentin added, isn't the first player to have off-the-field issues: Barry Bonds is anything but a media darling, but his numbers are so overwhelming that he is universally respected as a great player.

 

If Thomas has a reputation for being a sourpuss, he hasn't shown it this spring. Those who have been around him for most of his career insist that reputation is unwarranted anyway.

 

Being one of the best players in franchise history brings intense scrutiny, and Thomas concedes he used to be overly sensitive. But as the end of his career approaches, he has had enough of the drama and says he is at peace with himself. Walker says that serenity should carry over into his play.

 

"The biggest difference I see in Frank this year is he's having fun," Walker said. "He comes to the cage and he's working and it's carrying to all parts of his game. He was out there taking infield and having fun."

 

In addition to a World Series title, Thomas would like to reach the 500-homer, 3,000-hit plateau, which should guarantee first-ballot Hall of Fame selection. Only Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray have accomplished that double.

 

"Those are the two main goals," Thomas acknowledged.

 

While 500 homers is realistic, Thomas probably would have to turn back the clock a bit to reach 3,000 hits.

 

Subtracting again the 2001 season, Thomas has averaged 171 hits a season. At that pace, it would take him about 5½ seasons to get to 3,000.

 

"Not a lot of big guys have a lot of hits," Thomas said. "Most big guys are free swingers—home run, doubles guys."

 

Aside from the personality issues, Thomas also will have to deal with a bias against designated hitters. Paul Molitor, a member of the Class of 2004, is the only Hall of Famer to have spent significant time as a designated hitter, and persistent injuries forced Molitor into that role.

 

If Thomas reaches 500 home runs and approaches 3,000 hits, it might not matter that he spent the last half of his career as a DH, his preferred role. But if he falls short of both numbers, it might be a factor.

 

"I would like to see a guy who plays in the field make the Hall," Alomar said. "But Frank put his time in at first base. He had his best numbers [while he played] first base."

 

In fact, Thomas' numbers while playing first base dwarf his numbers as a DH. While playing 967 games in the field, Thomas has hit .337 with 247 home runs and 811 RBIs compared with .281, 170 and 575 in 867 games as a DH.

 

"I think it's tougher than being out there every day," said Konerko, who doesn't like to be the DH. "When you DH it seems like four separate pinch-hitting appearances."

 

Hall of Fame aside, where will history place Thomas?

 

Some might consider him the best hitter ever to play in Chicago, but it's not likely he ever will be as popular as Ernie Banks or Ron Santo or Sammy Sosa or Minnie Minoso. Thomas isn't worried about it.

 

"You don't think about those things," he said. "You just keep going forward."

[Jordan4life_2007]

Frank is no doubt in my mind a 1st ballot HOF..The numbers speak for themselves..

[southsider2k5]

"He's a first-ballot Hall of Famer," Sox first baseman Paul Konerko said succinctly.

[mreye]

Yes, the numbers DO speak for themselves, but he won't get in on the first ballot.

[Texsox]

Yes, the number DO speak for themselves, but he won't get in on the first ballot.

damn eye, for a republican you're pretty smart.

 

Frank still has some work to do. There are only a handfull of players elected to the Hall in the past 25 years without a WS appearance. Learned that on ESPN radio a few months ago.

 

As noted DH is almost an impossible position to get elected from.

 

Media skills help.

 

I've said this all along, Frank is the best batter (re: not just hitter) I have even witnessed in person. If his off the field and clubhouse talents were 1/2 of his batter box talents this wouldn't have even been an article. It would just be assumed he's a 1st ballot, or detractors would be pointing to his 2000 playoffs. :puke

 

He will be in the Hall. I doubt 1st Ballot but maybe 2 or 3.

[mreye]

damn eye, for a republican you're pretty smart.

 

 

 

He will be in the Hall. I doubt 1st Ballot but maybe 2 or 3.

Thanks...I think.

 

 

Yeah. That's what I think. 3 years minimum.

[SoxAce]

What that man has done in the past is unbelieveable. Look at his k/walk ratio. It is sick. Noone wanted to pitch to him. I still think frank is dangerous. He might not have the quick bat or intimidation he used to have, but he can still give you 30-40 hrs a year, and walk 90-100 times. HOFer in my book.

[Goldmember]

best sox playa evar!

[Reddy]

playa hater you're totally right and i think that thomas is definitely gonna make it in his first year. Like him or not, you cant deny the facts. I just would love to see him care about average again... if he keeps his lifetime average at .310 or better that'd be amazing, but since it's unlikely, 300 will have to be what he stays at.

[Goldmember]

playa hater ...

playa hatin

[Reddy]

oh... thats what i said... <_>

[greasywheels121]

I truly do feel he's going to be first ballot, with the exception of his BA, most of his numbers have stayed fairly consistent.

 

The numbers I can't get over is the 7 straight seasons of a .300 BA, 20+ HRs, 100+ RBIs, BBs, and Runs........