WinningUgly85 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 (edited) http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?i...ce=MLBHeadlines Thomas sidelined until doctors check ankle MRI Associated Press PHOENIX -- Frank Thomas arrived at Oakland Athletics spring training Thursday but it will still be a while before his new teammates get to see the Big Hurt in a game. Thomas Thomas won't be able to take part in workouts until the team's doctors check out an MRI exam of his surgically repaired left ankle, and he said he plans to spend most of the spring hitting in "B" games with minor-leaguers. "They are going to take me real slow," he said. "I'll get my time in the back fields with the minor-league guys getting at-bats. That's great with me because I'll get a lot more work in instead of getting three or four at-bats in regular games. I'll spend more time on the back fields getting my eye going and timing. "I'm going to take these at-bats seriously on the back field. As we get close to opening day, if they want to mix me in that's fine. I'll be ready to go," he said. That appeared to surprise manager Ken Macha, who added that keeping Thomas healthy this spring is the primary goal. "I would prefer that he play to see how he did," Macha said. "But if he comes up here I'm sure we'll be up here with him to see how he does. If playing in one of those games will jeopardize his health, then it's better that he not play." Thomas' health was the big question when he was a free agent this offseason. After the Chicago White Sox declined to offer him salary arbitration in December, Thomas had to wait until late last month to find a new team. He signed an incentive-laden deal with Oakland that guarantees him $500,000 and could be worth up to $3.1 million if his ankle stays healthy and he reaches certain level of plate appearances. Thomas had only 345 at-bats his last two seasons with the White Sox, when he was dealing with ankle injuries. He missed the last three months in 2004 before undergoing offseason surgery. He came back May 30 last season and played 34 games before being shut down for the season with another broken bone in his ankle, leaving him to watch the White Sox win their first World Series since 1917. "I'm not prone [to injuries] at all," he said. "I had an unfortunate injury and I was surgically repaired. I chose to come back maybe a month too soon. Now it's feeling a lot better. The point I'm at now is a little better than it was when I returned last year." Thomas did have some success in his brief time playing last season, hitting 12 homers in 105 at-bats for the White Sox. But he batted a career-low .219 and his on-base percentage of .315 was more than 100 points lower than his career mark of .427. He attributes part of that to changes he made because he couldn't run the bases and said he expects to hit between .285 and .305 this season. "I didn't want to get on base too much," he said. "I was in a lot of pain last year. I wanted to help the team the best way I could and that was hitting ball out of the ballpark." Thomas, a two-time AL MVP who has 448 career home runs, turns 38 in May. He would like to play until he is 41 or 42 years old and thinks he still can be a productive player. "I know I'm going to provide for the team I'm on," he said. "Bottom line, I've done it my whole career. If I'm healthy, you're going to have a special player on your team." Thomas hasn't been cleared to run yet and hasn't even hit in a cage or off a tee since July. He said he puts a lot of stress on his left foot when hitting, which is why he has taken precautions to make sure the ankle has healed. Thomas said it will take six weeks -- which will be into the first week of the season -- to get back to full speed with the bat after such a long break. But he doesn't envision any problems returning to his usual level. "Hitting is something I've been doing since I was a kid," he said. "Give me a few days and I will feel pretty comfortable. I will be ready to go. I'm concerned about that." Thomas still has lingering bitterness about the way his 16-year tenure in Chicago ended, saying the team should have called him to tell him he was being cut loose. He said he's getting past that now but wasn't ready to join his old teammates at the White House earlier this month to celebrate the World Series title. "I was still a little uncomfortable going and being around everybody after everything that happened," he said. "I couldn't go there and act like everything was fine, because it wasn't fine in my eyes. The chapter had to close a little better than that." White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said last month that the team tried its best to make sure Thomas' relationship ended in a "first-class manner." Edited February 24, 2006 by WinningUgly85 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rventura23 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Poor Frank, I really wish he were healthy again but I guess its best we parted ways Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 I think the A's would be absolutely nucking futs if they tried to give him more than 200-250 at bats this year. Especially early in the year. Not after the way he's stacked up those injuries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanne Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 "I'm not prone [to injuries] at all," he said. ummmmm....okay Frank...if you say so. Maybe not ten years ago....but anymore...you're just an injury waiting to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Why am I not surprised? His days as an everyday player in baseball are over. Should have retired with the Sox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 It sounds like Frank wants no part of reality. The guy doesn't think he's injury-prone yet 4 seasons 1999, 2001, 2004, and 2005 ended prematurely with injuries. He re-injured his ankle 8 or 9 months ago, hasn't been cleared to run, yet still talks like he will be ready opening day. It sounds like 2005 all over again. If I were a betting man, I would bet Frank is pretty much done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Feb 23, 2006 -> 08:37 PM) If I were a betting man, I would bet Frank is pretty much done. There's no betting about it, he IS done. He just won't admit it. Much like several Frank apologists around here. Don't get me wrong, I love Frank as a player. One of the all-time greats (notice I didn't just say Sox greats). But realize that you can go out after winning a ring and as a member of the Sox rather than embarassing yourself by trying to prove you are healthy again. The chances of Frank getting to 500 are slim and none. And with every article I see that he is still not healthy, slim is about to walk out of the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 QUOTE(aboz56 @ Feb 23, 2006 -> 05:41 PM) There's no betting about it, he IS done. He just won't admit it. Much like several Frank apologists around here. Don't get me wrong, I love Frank as a player. One of the all-time greats (notice I didn't just say Sox greats). But realize that you can go out after winning a ring and as a member of the Sox rather than embarassing yourself by trying to prove you are healthy again. The chances of Frank getting to 500 are slim and none. And with every article I see that he is still not healthy, slim is about to walk out of the door. I don't think he's completely done in the sense that he absolutely can't play again. I think he's done in the sense that he won't be able to play and be confident in his health ever again. If you're Oakland, it's probably worth the money to take a shot and see if you can get 200+ at bats out of him, but it's risky to count on getting that many. He still has a very outside shot at 500, but I don't think his body will hold up, and if he tries to push himself back into the game too early again....then it'll just make it harder for him once his foot fractures again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Feb 23, 2006 -> 07:49 PM) I don't think he's completely done in the sense that he absolutely can't play again. I think he's done in the sense that he won't be able to play and be confident in his health ever again. If you're Oakland, it's probably worth the money to take a shot and see if you can get 200+ at bats out of him, but it's risky to count on getting that many. He still has a very outside shot at 500, but I don't think his body will hold up, and if he tries to push himself back into the game too early again....then it'll just make it harder for him once his foot fractures again. He's actually better than White Sox doctors thought when he re-injured himself last season. They didn't think he would be able to play again. It appears he may, but it won't be for long, and probably won't be very pretty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitownsportsfan Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Hmm, I don't think Frank is "done" by any means. I think that he just needs to realize that he isn't 27 anymore. And if he can't or won't, well I'm damn sure Billy Beane will make him realize it by platooning him at DH with Swisher or whoever. I agree with you Balta, I think Frank should be limited to around 300 AB's in the regular season to make sure he's healthy for the post-season. The A's are stacked, and only injuries (IMO) will prevent them from making the postseason. With that in mind, they should save Frank for the postseason when the will need him the most. I'm no Frank apoligist, but I think he has one or two more limited seasons in him. It's a shame his ego is as big as his frame though. He's not a bad clubhouse guy, but his attitude otherwise is complete s***. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Feb 23, 2006 -> 05:52 PM) He's actually better than White Sox doctors thought when he re-injured himself last season. They didn't think he would be able to play again. It appears he may, but it won't be for long, and probably won't be very pretty. Are you sure about that? I still think that the injury seems just as severe as it did last year...but it was going to heal at some point, and Frank is going to play on it whether he should or not. The best description I got of the 2nd break was that it was very similar to the first break, but it was so close to the point where the first break and surgery happened that they couldn't operate on the 2nd spot. Even if the 2nd break wasn't as severe...the fact that he had 2 in the same spot, and the fact that they couldn't even operate on the 2nd, makes him a big risk. The A's seriously should wait until Frank says he can run, then forbid him from running for another month, then let him try to get back into things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitownsportsfan Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 (edited) The A's seriously should wait until Frank says he can run, then forbid him from running for another month, then let him try to get back into things. Yea, if Frank comes back in August last year he's probably still healthy and still on the team. I'm not saying the Sox staff did a bad job rushing him back, but extreme caution is what Frank needs now. That and milk. Hell, with his weight, maybe some calcium fortified soy milk should be his milk beverage of choice--low cal and high in protein! That a way to sell non-dairy milk in Frank Thomas post... Edited February 24, 2006 by chitownsportsfan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin57 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 It hurts me that the Big Hurt is still hurting (sorry ). It looks more and more like he should have retired with the Championship last year. There is nothing sadder than watching a great athlete be remembered for their poor ending performance rather than their many years of spectacular achievements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 This is why I have no problem with the Sox letting Frank go. Did they go about it the right way? That's still up for debate. But there's no way in hell I wanted to go into next season worrying about Frank's health on an everyday basis. He's still my idol, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iWiN4PreP Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Hes over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjm676 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Boy, that was quick. We all saw this coming but, so soon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 QUOTE(aboz56 @ Feb 23, 2006 -> 07:41 PM) There's no betting about it, he IS done. He just won't admit it. Much like several Frank apologists around here. Don't get me wrong, I love Frank as a player. One of the all-time greats (notice I didn't just say Sox greats). But realize that you can go out after winning a ring and as a member of the Sox rather than embarassing yourself by trying to prove you are healthy again. The chances of Frank getting to 500 are slim and none. And with every article I see that he is still not healthy, slim is about to walk out of the door. Slim has left the building.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 QUOTE(Steff @ Feb 23, 2006 -> 10:22 PM) Slim has left the building.... At least ONE of the Thomas apologists around here is coming to admit this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 QUOTE(aboz56 @ Feb 23, 2006 -> 09:44 PM) At least ONE of the Thomas apologists around here is coming to admit this. I said the day he signed with the A's that I didn't think he'd make it out of spring training.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 QUOTE(Steff @ Feb 23, 2006 -> 10:52 PM) I said the day he signed with the A's that I didn't think he'd make it out of spring training.. I hope that's the case really. I don't want to see him play elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Feb 23, 2006 -> 09:53 PM) I hope that's the case really. I don't want to see him play elsewhere. It's definitely got to suck for you... We have some friends who's son absolutely positively loves Frank. He has every single baseball card, picture, autographs on any and everything you can imagine, and they have taken him to see Frank play in almost all the AL parks. It's crazy. He was so upset when the A's deal was announced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 QUOTE(Steff @ Feb 23, 2006 -> 11:03 PM) It's definitely got to suck for you... We have some friends who's son absolutely positively loves Frank. He has every single baseball card, picture, autographs on any and everything you can imagine, and they have taken him to see Frank play in almost all the AL parks. It's crazy. He was so upset when the A's deal was announced. I'm the same way, I have anything and everything Frank. I'm just glad it happened now after a World Series, and really at the end of his career. I got to know the Sox because of Frank, but for a while in the early part of his career, I was probably a Frank fan first and Sox fan second. It didn't matter to me when the Sox lost, if he hit a HR. That's been switched around for a good number of years now though. However, like I said, I'm just glad it happened now. I think if this happened like 10 years ago, I'd probably be an A's fan right now. I really wish he did the Jerome Bettis/John Elway, and went out on top with the ring. It would've been so much sweeter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 Dang that's too bad. I also was very sad to see him leave, when I was growing up I had 5 sports heroes (Bo Jackson, Frank Thomas, Derrick Thomas, John Stockton, and Karl Malone.) Obviously we know Jackson, Stockton, and Malone are retired and Derrick Thomas is dead, but Frank was the last remaining player on my favorite team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesoxfan101 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 With all the s*** he talked about us when he left town, I figured he'd at least be healthy enough to play. Guess I was wrong.....however I respect the hell out of Frank as the best player in franchise history, and wish he would realize he's done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baines3 Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 It's very sad. Not the way I wanted his playing days to end. Most us on this board will always remember Frank for all the homeruns he hit and for the days that he made happy for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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