Frank Thomas first AB

[greasywheels121]

I could actually here KW say, "Pffffffffffft...fat f***in chance..." all the way out here in Phoenix. I also like how Frank makes reference of himself growing up. BOUT f***IN TIME FRANK...you're only gonna be 38 sometime this year! So forgive me if I'm not all warm and fuzzy about Frank... thanks for your contributions to the Chicago White Sox Frank...but honestly I don't miss you in the least bit. If I was at the game...*golf claps* is the best you woulda got outta me.

 

It doesn't exactly matter what KW thinks about that. If he's still here at that point, it still won't matter.

[Guest JimH]

I was delighted to see the ovation Frank Thomas received, happy for him that he hit the HR's in retrospect, seeing as the White Sox won.

 

The fans were very classy as I completely expected. Frank got his props the first time up and then a few "you're an opponent now, Frank" boos mixed in later.

 

To me the main thing was, Sox won. Hopefully the focus gets back to baseball because the last few games have really been a zoo in terms of some of the distractions.

 

As an aside I thought Frank handled the media scrutiny really well yesterday, it couldn't have been the easiest of days for him.

 

Time to look forward now and concentrate on baseball.

[NYSox35]

KW can "pfffttt.. fat chance" all he wants. Kenny eats s*** if the choice is between him and Frank. Jerry will have Frank's back always.

Dick Allen won you over...? That says a lot.

 

You really think so? KW, the guy who put together the team that brought the title?

I'm not saying I know either way, but I'm not sure about that.

[tonyho7476]

In a few years, Frank will be our hitting coach. Just can't see it any other way.

 

As for the game yesterday, I definately felt warm and fuzzy over Frank's return. The video montage reminded us about all the great things Frank did...and then seeing him crush Garland brought back a lot of great memories.

[Steff]

You really think so? KW, the guy who put together the team that brought the title?

I'm not saying I know either way, but I'm not sure about that.

 

 

 

You can bank on it. Jerry has been a father to Frank since his own passed away. The title is nice, but blood is thicker than water - and while they aren't blood related I don't think they could be any closer if the were.

[NYSox35]

You can bank on it. Jerry has been a father to Frank since his own passed away. The title is nice, but blood is thicker than water - and while they aren't blood related I don't think they could be any closer if the were.

 

Interesting...well I guess KW and Frank will have to get over their issues eventually...

[RockRaines]

Let this be a lesson to Indians fans. You dont boo a player who was such a big part of your organization. Chicago fans are classy.

[KevHead0881]

Well, being that we eventually won the game, I feel alot better about Frank's homers. Still don't understand cheering for him after he hits them off OUR pitcher, but whatever. I'll continue to cheer for Frank after he leaves town. For now, I hope he goes hitless the rest of the series.

[JoeBatterz]

Dick Allen was a MAJOR jag, I would never compare Big Frank to him.

 

Glad to see Frank jack 2 homers and us come back and win!

[Dick Allen]

If Frank wants a job in the White Sox front office, I'm sure JR would find him one. Hopefully something that had nothing to do with personnel decisions. As far as Frank and KW, its not necessary they bury the hatchet for Frank to work for the Sox. There are plenty of current White Sox employees that think of KW the same way Frank does. I still don't like Frank's comments when he left and signed with Oakland. But he sure would attract a bigger crowd and ultimately raise more money for White Sox charities then guys like Donn Pall, Kittle, Melton, May...........

[retro1983hat]

I just don't understand why KW has to show who has the bigger dick whenever he is interviewed about Frank. Why did he have to say, "the fans don't know what I know." Like if we did, we wouldn't cheer him. Last night was about Frank, not KW. Shove your ego away for one day KW, jeez. With the Ozzie-Ryan Dempster-Rich Hill battle to this, we sound like a bunch of 2-year-olds.

[southsider2k5]

Frank's really sending a message to kenny eh??? HA well i am really glad he got the standing o shows were not classless like cleveland fans.....

 

It sure looked like Jon Garland was "sending a message" with those two pitches Frank hit out. Both pitches were completely centercut, and in the middle of Franks ever shrinking go zone.

 

I just don't understand why KW has to show who has the bigger dick whenever he is interviewed about Frank. Why did he have to say, "the fans don't know what I know." Like if we did, we wouldn't cheer him. Last night was about Frank, not KW. Shove your ego away for one day KW, jeez. With the Ozzie-Ryan Dempster-Rich Hill battle to this, we sound like a bunch of 2-year-olds.

 

Why did Frank have to mention his problems with Kenny before coming to town?

[Dick Allen]

I just don't understand why KW has to show who has the bigger dick whenever he is interviewed about Frank. Why did he have to say, "the fans don't know what I know." Like if we did, we wouldn't cheer him. Last night was about Frank, not KW. Shove your ego away for one day KW, jeez. With the Ozzie-Ryan Dempster-Rich Hill battle to this, we sound like a bunch of 2-year-olds.

 

I think its a sibling rivalry sort of thing. KW was the original JR boy. JR flying out to meet his father, telling his father he would take care of him. Frank comes along, JR gets close with Frank, becomes a sort of second father to Frank, until Frank's father dies, then becomes Frank's father-like figure. They both are probably wrong in their relationship or lack of relationship. Since I'm not involved, in a sick way I find humor in it, although the worst thing that ever came out was KW talking about the loan JR gave Frank. Popping that off was the most classless move anyone in the White Sox organization has made in a long, long time IMO.

 

It sure looked like Jon Garland was "sending a message" with those two pitches Frank hit out. Both pitches were completely centercut, and in the middle of Franks ever shrinking go zone.

 

Until I found out the in-game tribute to Frank was how they announced him his first AB, I thought the tribute was Garland teeing it up for him 3 times.

 

 

It sure looked like Jon Garland was "sending a message" with those two pitches Frank hit out. Both pitches were completely centercut, and in the middle of Franks ever shrinking go zone.

 

Until I found out the in-game tribute to Frank was how they announced him his first AB, I thought the tribute was Garland teeing it up for him 3 times.

[Steff]

I think its a sibling rivalry sort of thing. KW was the original JR boy. JR flying out to meet his father, telling his father he would take care of him. Frank comes along, JR gets close with Frank, becomes a sort of second father to Frank, until Frank's father dies, then becomes Frank's father-like figure. They both are probably wrong in their relationship or lack of relationship. Since I'm not involved, in a sick way I find humor in it, although the worst thing that ever came out was KW talking about the loan JR gave Frank. Popping that off was the most classless move anyone in the White Sox organization has made in a long, long time IMO.

 

 

 

Kenny was the original JR boy...?

Jerry and Frank have been super close since Frank came to the Sox. Franks kids call Jerry papa. That was long before Kenny was around.

[Guest JimH]

Kenny was the original JR boy...?

Jerry and Frank have been super close since Frank came to the Sox. Franks kids call Jerry papa. That was long before Kenny was around.

 

When was Williams drafted out of Stanford? Pretty sure it was before 1989 which I recall was when they drafted Frank.

 

I believe JR's relationship with KW predates JR's relationship with Frank by several years.

[Dick Allen]

Kenny was the original JR boy...?

Jerry and Frank have been super close since Frank came to the Sox. Franks kids call Jerry papa. That was long before Kenny was around.

1982 KW became JR's personal responsibility when the White Sox drafted him. I think he was a 3rd round pick. JR went out to Oakland to meet with his father which is pretty unusual for a 3rd round pick. He assured his father he would take care of him. When KW was done playing, JR had a job waiting for him, and has taken care of him since. KW obviously worked his way to where he is, but I really doubt he would be a GM if JR never flew out to Oakland.

[southsider2k5]

When was Williams drafted out of Stanford? Pretty sure it was before 1989 which I recall was when they drafted Frank.

 

I believe JR's relationship with KW predates JR's relationship with Frank by several years.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/willike02.shtml

 

Williams played for the Sox from 86-88

[Steff]

1982 KW became JR's personal responsibility when the White Sox drafted him. I think he was a 3rd round pick. JR went out to Oakland to meet with his father which is pretty unusual for a 3rd round pick. He assured his father he would take care of him. When KW was done playing, JR had a job waiting for him, and has taken care of him since. KW obviously worked his way to where he is, but I really doubt he would be a GM if JR never flew out to Oakland.

 

 

 

IMO, Kenny is GM cause there was a locked door for a minority and Jerry opened it.

 

FWIW, Ken's kids are never in Jerry's box. Franks have been up there several times this year already.

[Guest JimH]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/willike02.shtml

 

Williams played for the Sox from 86-88

 

I remember that KW did some inner city scouting for the Sox, in the Oakland area, and I also recall he was a studio analyst for a while, like what Melton does now. Personally I think he was groomed by Reinsdorf since the day Reinsdorf met KW and his family way back in the early 80's.

[KevHead0881]

So, what is the point of this argument? It appears that Jerry is quite fond of both of them. Kenny currently has his place in the organization, and Frank will probably have his one day.

[Steff]

So, what is the point of this argument? It appears that Jerry is quite fond of both of them. Kenny currently has his place in the organization, and Frank will probably have his one day.

 

 

 

Who the hell is arguing?

[Dick Allen]

IMO, Kenny is GM cause there was a locked door for a minority and Jerry opened it.

 

FWIW, Ken's kids are never in Jerry's box. Franks have been up there several times this year already.

KW has his own box on the other side of the real small one. There's probably a different dynamic in each relationship with JR, and my theory could be completely wrong, but JR has had both of their backs probably more than any other player, except for maybe Ozzie. You may be right about why KW is GM, but he probably wouldn't have ever been in position to be hired if JR hadn't hired him right away when his playing career was over. Does anyone remember back in the early 90's when KW was a studio analyst a few games?

[KevHead0881]

Who the hell is arguing?

 

Would "debating" have been a been a better word? Just seemed like a "who does Jerry like more" thing going on. Whatever.

[Guest JimH]

No one is arguing, and yes it's clear that Reinsdorf cares deeply for Frank Thomas and KW. KW has a house just a stones throw away from JR's in Paradise Valley (Phoenix area).

[Steff]

KW has his own box on the other side of the real small one. There's probably a different dynamic in each relationship with JR, and my theory could be completely wrong, but JR has had both of their backs probably more than any other player, except for maybe Ozzie. You may be right about why KW is GM, but he probably wouldn't have ever been in position to be hired if JR hadn't hired him right away when his playing career was over. Does anyone remember back in the early 90's when KW was a studio analyst a few games?

 

I agree definitely a different dynamic.

 

 

I don't recall Kenny's broadcasting days.

 

No one is arguing, and yes it's clear that Reinsdorf cares deeply for Frank Thomas and KW. KW has a house just a stones throw away from JR's in Paradise Valley (Phoenix area).

 

 

 

A looooong throw over Randy's house..