BrandoFan Posted February 10, 2003 Share Posted February 10, 2003 Are Hurt's 2002 struggles mental (he is one sensitive slugger!) or physical in nature? While it was clear that his bat speed wasn't there most of the time (to be fair, Frank has never relied on pure batspeed ala Sheffield, Piazza, Griffey, Carlos Lee, Konerko, etc...instead using his superb hand-eye coordination, anticipation, pitcher and- strike zone knowledge, something that, unlike super batspeed and hyper quick reaction, doesn't dissappear until 38-40 as Harold Baines, Edgar among others have proven), what strick me the most is that Frank didn't hit a lot of homers to the opposite field where almost half of his homers used to be hit. What's wrong with the big man? How come someone like Thome, Larry Walker and Lois Gonzalez are thriving and Thomas sucks? We need the big man to be, well, BIG this year and few years after that. He is only 34. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted February 10, 2003 Share Posted February 10, 2003 Frank has been working on his swng all winter with Hriniak so I expect that by opening day there will be nothing wrong with his hitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bighurt52235 Posted February 10, 2003 Share Posted February 10, 2003 I, watching baseball since 97, never knew Thomas to have major opposite field power. In 2000, when he hit a career high 43 bombs, a grand total of 2 were hit to the right of dead center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac9001 Posted February 10, 2003 Share Posted February 10, 2003 He was coming off a muscle tear injury, and those will f*** you up. It usually takes 14-18 months before a player becomes fully healthy. Frank should be fine this season, he's healthy and motivated and that's a dangerous mix with Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrandoFan Posted February 10, 2003 Author Share Posted February 10, 2003 I, watching baseball since 97, never knew Thomas to have major opposite field power\ 2000 is different because pitchers started to jam him in in 98-99 where he wouldn't get anything on the outer part of the plate on 2-0, 3-1 counts as was the case pre-98. In 97 (also my first year following Sox) I think 12-15 homers were hit right of center. Correct me if I am wrong. He definately lost some batspeed because he couldn't adjust as easily and was missing a lot of fastballs right there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kj1832 Posted February 10, 2003 Share Posted February 10, 2003 The majority of Frank's problems (except his injury) are in his head. I have always been a Frank fan. However, if he wasn't so sensitive he could have owned this town. He is perhaps the greatest hitter to ever wear a Chicago uniform. Here is hoping that he is motivated and ready for this year. We need him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 10, 2003 Share Posted February 10, 2003 Frank struggled last year because he wasn't reading the pitches. He didn't know whether it was a fastball or a curve or a ball or a strike and when that happens, your never going to have sucess. Late in the season he started figuring things out, which is expected. When you sit out for a full season, your definately going to have trouble getting back up to game speed and it took him a long time to start seeing the ball correctly. Until he was seeing the ball, he was basically guessing and always fiddling with a swing, which stops you from being able to get comfortable. Once he started seeing the ball, he was able to work on one swing and with that came consistency, something we saw at the very end of the season. Only the first month or so do I really think the injury effected him. I think his bat speed was fine very early on, it was the things that take a long time to come back, such as game speed, your eye, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Fainter Posted February 10, 2003 Share Posted February 10, 2003 When Frank was having his good years, he hit a lot of homers to right, and lots of hits up the middle. I think that the Sox should hire K-layton to be Franks's personal batting practice pitcher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 cw what have i said all along last season about frank and his bat??? frank was coming off a muscle tearing injury.... he was standing way to the back of the box (like he always does when healthy) and he didnt allow for the "pulling in" motion he had in his swing last season from babying his arm.....if he would have stood a bit up in the box he would have done better.. i guess it took him almost all of the season to figure that much out because late in august he was standing further up in the box to compensate his swing.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 HSC....do you suppose that he will keep babying his arm or that he will go back to the Frank of old? Just curious...because I believe he'll be fine either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 ill have to wait till i see him in spring training to know for sure... i havent seen him take a swing at anything lately so i cant tell honestly.. .i point this out to cw quite a few times last season and then made him sit down by me to see exactly what i was talking about.. he agreed.......it was highly noticable............but twards the end of the season last year he was standing more twards the middle of the box ... still babying his arm though.. i would think that working it all off season would have at least kept him loosened up ............we soon shall see.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 i point this out to cw quite a few times last season and then made him sit down by me to see exactly what i was talking about.. he agreed.......it was highly noticable............ sitting with HSC is very educational - and she had Frank's problem pegged exactly - and I call dibs on sitting next to HSC all during 2003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 Now, I haven't seen HSC to now this....but from her board name and the way you have complimented her cw....I have got to ask.... Would you be sitting by her because she is very knowledgeable or because she is good looking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 Now, I haven't seen HSC to now this....but from her board name and the way you have complimented her cw....I have got to ask.... Would you be sitting by her because she is very knowledgeable or because she is good looking? lol..... he just likes the free education and beer showers when something goes wrong..........or right......lol........trust me im a grumpy old lady and since i quit smoking... im even grumpier......... <------see.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 Now, I haven't seen HSC to now this....but from her board name and the way you have complimented her cw....I have got to ask.... Would you be sitting by her because she is very knowledgeable or because she is good looking? You are a very bright young man! The answer is: both, plus she is a hell of a good friend - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 you are way too kind cw.... you know i love ya dearly.. and i keep you sitting by me cause i cant keep score, drink beer, and watch the game all at once....lol.. every chick needs a hot looking score keeper by her side........that would be you.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 keep posting that I am hot looking - I like to read that and maybe someone will believe it! Started my spring training a few weeks ago - haven't done any scoring yet (that is so natural, I'll just memorizing numbers once we get close to the naming of the 25 and I have most of them down anyhow) - but for the standing and cheering we'll be doing all season, I am now up to 4 hours of work out a day on heavy days - today 1 hr yoga/pilates, 1 hr kickboxing, 1 hr step aerobics, 1 hour weights (free and nautilius). Tomorrow will be a light day - 2 hours - Wednesday 3 hard core hours - Thursday - 3 medium hours - Friday rest, Saturday 3 hard hours and Sunday 2 hard hours - I should be all studly and buff by Opening Day! I think if the players did some aerobics and yoga/pilates they would cut down on the hamstring and ankle and wrist sprains - the hams need to be stretched and just doing weights does not strengthen the joints at all, only stresses them. I should be the fitness coach just as you should be the scout. This weekend I renew my fitness instructor certification - think the Sox will hire me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 geez us rub it in.. i quit smoking (its been almost two months now for me) to get healthy... i join a health club and start a work out routine with a trainer and all and guess what... i cant stay healthy enough to enjoy it.. i have been sick on and off and this time its got me good, for about the past three weeks.........im sick of antiboitics (they arent working anyhow) and im sick of seeing the doctor (which i have seen him more in this past month than i have in the past three years for cryin out loud).......if i knew it was going to be this much and i would be this sick all the time i would have just kept on freakin smoking........so let me tell you my pathetic little work load because for now its all i can handle.. i spend 30 minutes jogging on the treadmill, 30 minutes riding the bike, 30 minutes doing the stairmaster, and power walk 1 mile on the indoor track after all of that for a cool down, tread water in the pool (at the deep end of course) for 25 minutes, and then sit in the steam room for about 15 minutes and sit in the sauna for 25 minutes to try to dry up my sinuses.. all the while the kids are swimming and taking kick boxing classes....... i havent had the enegry to get to the yoga and pailates yet.. im working on it though if i can stay healthy enough for a few weeks.... im going to give them a try as well.... but for now i just try to breathe and thats become quite a chore..........i also think the kids cat is part of my problem now too ... i think i have become alergic to her...i cant be in a dusty room for too long either and my house stinks like smoke when i can smell it and i cant be in my car for too long either cause it smells like smoke to me and its making me sick too.............so i am really looking foward to the season starting so i can feel better about something..........and yes i think they should sign you on as a trainer, instructor... lord knows they need it.........ill just scout around ok..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 i havent had the enegry to get to the yoga and pailates yet.. im working on it though if i can stay healthy enough for a few weeks.... im going to give them a try as well.... but for now i just try to breathe and thats become quite a chore......... You don't need energy to do yoga and pilates, they will give you energy - both very, very low as to be non existent impact - it takes me 1 to 3 classes to get a new move, but it is all gentle, and it really helps the breathing too - if you want some visible results, pass up a treadmill and stairmaster and do the yoga and pilates 3 times a week for a few weeks and then see how much better you do on everything else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 Michelle, all of a sudden thats all going to go away and your going to feel like you never have before. All the work will be worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 yeah well at this point in time i just wish i could chop off my nose (take the sinus cavity with it ) and just rip out my lungs till they are all cleared up ... then ill take them back ok.. because as i am right now this completely sucks... i cant breathe, and im hacking up s*** everywhere.... not a pleasant sight thats for sure........i never knew there were so many colors to ones saliva......it looks like a bag of skittles.......lol......and when i can smell something i usually dont want to .......i know everyone keeps telling me it will get better... i honestly hope it doesnt take that much longer though cause i dont know how much more i can stand without going completely insane............ :fyou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soxfan420 Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 yeah well at this point in time i just wish i could chop off my nose (take the sinus cavity with it ) and just rip out my lungs till they are all cleared up ... then ill take them back ok.. because as i am right now this completely sucks... i cant breathe, and im hacking up s*** everywhere.... not a pleasant sight thats for sure........i never knew there were so many colors to ones saliva......it looks like a bag of skittles.......lol......and when i can smell something i usually dont want to .......i know everyone keeps telling me it will get better... i honestly hope it doesnt take that much longer though cause i dont know how much more i can stand without going completely insane............ :fyou smoke a bowl that ussally help. no what you should do is go to the doctor and get a perscribtion to abutoral or how ever you spell it. i get something called cronic broncauos sometimes(that what the doc calls it ) and that s*** really works well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted February 11, 2003 Share Posted February 11, 2003 Back to Frank Thomas... I believe he'll have a Frank Thomas kind of a year this season. .330-40-125 or better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.