greasywheels121 Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 http://whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/cws/new...s_cws&fext=.jsp Sox itching for Big Hurt's return Rowand report Thomas working hard toward recovery By Scott Merkin / MLB.com CHICAGO -- If absence truly makes the heart grow fonder, then the White Sox players in attendance at SoxFest on Friday certainly seem to not only miss but also appreciate what Frank Thomas ultimately means to this team's success. "I'm hoping Frank gets healthy," said White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko of the franchise's career home run leader at 436. "He's one of those guys where you don't know what you have until he's gone. "Last year, you just took for granted all of his walks, and all the pitches he makes opposing pitchers throw. We became a weaker team without him." The news concerning Thomas sounds guardedly optimistic. Aaron Rowand, who lives near Thomas in Las Vegas, was at the Big Hurt's home last week and said that his cast has been removed and Thomas is moving around in a walking boot. Thomas had October surgery to repair a fractured navicular in his left ankle, an injury suffered during a game at Florida in June. Thomas played just 74 games and had 240 at-bats in 2004, but still knocked out 18 home runs and drove in 49 runs. Manager Ozzie Guillen reiterated Friday those thoughts first expressed at the Winter Meetings in that Thomas wouldn't return until June. Guillen has no medical facts to base his decision, but simply feels it will take Thomas that long to heal and get offensively acclimated after not swinging the bat for such a prolonged period. While Thomas' return could come sooner, he could return with authority. The skeptics who don't think Thomas will be the same might once again drive the 15-year-vetearn to return to his old form. Thomas was written off after hitting .252 in 2002, only to knock out 42 home runs and drive in 105 runs during the 2003 campaign. "He's getting into it, hungry and ready to go," Rowand said of Thomas' rehab. "Frank wants it and is busting his hump right now trying to do whatever he can. "There's a healing process that takes place, getting into shape baseball-wise. But he will be back. He might fall a little short of being ready for Spring Training, but it's not because of a lack of effort to get himself ready to go." Thomas is rehabbing at Soder Physical Therapy in Las Vegas, run by Tim Soder. Rowand, who worked with Soder to rehab his severe shoulder injury suffered in a dirt-bike accident prior to the 2003 season, put the two together. Rowand continues to go through an extensive training program with Soder, a consistently tough workout that he has attributed as a significant part of his 2004 success. If Thomas starts the season on the disabled list, the trimmer Carl Everett will move into the designated hitter's role. Joe Borchard and Alex Escobar would probably compete for the final roster spot, with Jamie Burke having an outside shot to make the team as a non-roster invitee. But Thomas has proven, at times, almost to be irreplaceable. Even without the .300-plus average of the past, Thomas drives the lineup from the third or fourth spot in the order and simply is the biggest presence on the team. It's a concept that Thomas' teammates understand after 2004. Strangely enough, it's not something that Thomas totally appreciates or acknowledges. "I don't know if Frank understands what he means to this team," Rowand said. "Just his presence in the lineup, whether he's 100 percent or not, changes things for everyone else. He's been around the block and knows the pitchers on the opposing staff and knows what it takes to win. "Frank is awesome, really the cornerstone of this team," Rowand added. "When people think of the Chicago White Sox, they think of Frank Thomas. That's not by mistake. He still is someone to be reckoned with, and you never know when he will bust out." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSF Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 It's great to see the respect level the rest of the team has for Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 the trimmer Carl Everett Wow. That's really encouraging. We all know Frank deserves to be a first ballot Hall of Famer, but in the short term, I'll take a healthy and fit Jurassic. Here's hoping both Frank and Jurassic play large roles in the success of the 2005 Chicago White Sox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frahungski Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 yeah, he's always been a favorite of mine. but when i was a little kid it was simply because we have the same name Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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