Is Frank Thomas HOF Worthy?

[SnB]

Even for non sox fans, this isn't really even a question.

[witesoxfan]

Frank Thomas was the second best hitter in the 1990s and the best right handed hitter of the 1990s. The fact that he testified in Congress during the steroid discussion and was the only active player who was never accused nor caught using steroids to help in coming up with the Mitchell Report.

 

As funny as this will sound, Frank Thomas's character, along with his on the field accomplishments of course, is what is going to get him into the Hall of Fame, and it should be on the first ballot.

[LittleHurt05]

Same here. The question should be is Thomas a unanamous first ballot choice.

 

If Cal Ripken & Tony Gwynn recently weren't unanimous, then I'm sure Big Frank won't be, although that strictly has to due with the d-bag ness of a few voters, which is a whole other topic

[Vance Law]

This is not a tough one. Best hitter from the era without any hint of roid suspicion that most other players have.

[TitoMB345]

100% positive on both of my answers. Yes and yes. He will be a 1st ballot HOFer

[Shamrock4Life]

he should easily be first ballot.

[southsider2k5]

Same here. The question should be is Thomas a unanamous first ballot choice.

 

Keep in mind this has NEVER happened in the baseball HOF's history. It is not going to happen for Thomas for sure.

[chw42]

Frank's 94 season was Barry Bonds post-2001 caliber. He would have had 55-60 home runs and 150+ RBI with an OPS over 1.200.

 

The guy has a career OPS+ of 156, which is 20 points higher than Ken Griffey Jr.'s career OPS+, somebody most consider a sure first-ballot hall of famer.

 

If Frank doesn't get in first-ballot, something is wrong with baseball.

Edited November 24, 2009 by chw42

[earthshiner]

Most certainly yes. Having the big year in 2006 pretty much sealed the deal on any debate. When healthy in the 2000s he was still capable of huge power numbers.

 

Plus he has the 4th highest .OBP of any righty in history.

Edited November 24, 2009 by earthshiner

[dyuen]

This is a tough one because they're were a lot of good offensive players in his day that will be competing against him for the Hall. Answer this with your head, not your heart.

 

This is not a tough one at all, not even close. The question should be is he a first ballot HOF.

[greg775]

Glad to see we almost unanimously agree.

He was the best and did it drug free.

[bschmaranz]

He's the best hitter in the history of a franchise that has been around for over 100 years. If that doesn't warrant a HOF nod, I dunno what does.

[Pants Rowland]

In the words of the Big Hurt himself, MOST DEFINITELY.

[Kalapse]

Frank Thomas was the second best hitter in the 1990s and the best right handed hitter of the 1990s. The fact that he testified in Congress during the steroid discussion and was the only active player who was never accused nor caught using steroids to help in coming up with the Mitchell Report.

 

As funny as this will sound, Frank Thomas's character, along with his on the field accomplishments of course, is what is going to get him into the Hall of Fame, and it should be on the first ballot.

Frank's ranks amongst all players with 4000+ PA between '90 and '99:

 

H:   11th (1564)

2B:  11th (317)

HR:  9th (301) the list ahead of him is just sad: Canseco, Palmeiro, Sosa, J. Gonzalez, Belle, Bonds, Griffey, McGwire

RBI: 6th (1040) Only 59 behind the leader: Albert Belle

BB:  2nd (1076) #1: Bonds

IBB: 3rd (133) Griffey and Bonds ahead of him

AVG: 4th (.320) #3 Edgar Martinez, #2 Mike Piazza and #1 Tony Gwynn

OBP: 1st (.440) #2 Bonds at .432

OPS: 3rd (1.013) #2 McGwire, #1 Bonds. Frank finished 23 points back up Bonds but 47 points ahead of #4 Mike Piazza

RC:  2nd (1292) #1 Bonds in runs created

[Rowand44]

<!--quoteo(post=2048467:date=Nov 24, 2009 -> 11:23 AM:name=witesoxfan)-->

<!--quotec-->Frank Thomas was the second best hitter in the 1990s and the best right handed hitter of the 1990s. The fact that he testified in Congress during the steroid discussion and was the only active player who was never accused nor caught using steroids to help in coming up with the Mitchell Report.

 

As funny as this will sound, Frank Thomas's character, along with his on the field accomplishments of course, is what is going to get him into the Hall of Fame, and it should be on the first ballot.

Frank's ranks amongst all players with 4000+ PA between '90 and '99:

 

H:   11th (1564)

2B:  11th (317)

HR:  9th (301) the list ahead of him is just sad: Canseco, Palmeiro, Sosa, J. Gonzalez, Belle, Bonds, Griffey, McGwire

RBI: 6th (1040) Only 59 behind the leader: Albert Belle

BB:  2nd (1076) #1: Bonds

IBB: 3rd (133) Griffey and Bonds ahead of him

AVG: 4th (.320) #3 Edgar Martinez, #2 Mike Piazza and #1 Tony Gwynn

OBP: 1st (.440) #2 Bonds at .432

OPS: 3rd (1.013) #2 McGwire, #1 Bonds. Frank finished 23 points back up Bonds but 47 points ahead of #4 Mike Piazza

RC:  2nd (1292) #1 Bonds in runs created

Wow, just awesome.

 

[Marky Mark]

One of the great things about Big Frank is that he's a line drive hitter who has hit over 500 HR.

[Steve9347]

My God, this is a no-brainer.

[Jordan4life_2007]

Frank's 94 season was Barry Bonds post-2001 caliber. He would have had 55-60 home runs and 150+ RBI with an OPS over 1.200.

 

Frank's '94 season had a legitimate chance of going down as the greatest single-season performance in the HISTORY of the sport. Ruth? Mantle? Williams? Mays? Anybody. Name 'em. Not only did Frank have a better than 50% chance of winning the triple crown, he was leading the league in OBP, SLG, R, and BB. He was 4th in hits, 3rd in total bases, 3rd in doubles, and had an unheard of (unless you're roided up) OPS+ of 211.

 

I'll never, ever, ever get over losing that season. The 2005 championship didn't get me over it. 5 titles in a row won't get me over it. Matter a fact, I'm going to slaughter some innocent animals later tonight. That should help a little bit.

 

 

[Harry Chappas]

Huge Frnak Thomas fan here and I sure he gets in but maybe not first ballott.

 

My question, did the steroid scandel actually escalate his status as his perceived cleanliness and being in front of the steroid outcry overcome his sullen reputation. Will voters and purists take a more favorable look at him now than compared to if there was no steroid scandel?

 

Also if he retires after 2004 wouldthe higher batting average have helped or are the 500 homers more important? I belive his career average may have dropped almost 20 points from 2000 but I could be wrong.

 

Look at that rankings above and see how many of those guys are steroid guys. Although I think Bonds was clean up until 1998.

 

It will be interesting to see how the McGwire, Bonds, Palmerio, Sosa voting plays out prior to Thomas becoming eligible.

 

Maddux, Biggio and Thomas would be a great class although I think Clemens is in there as well.....or is Clemens with Bonds??? Also Biggio and Thomas may not be first ballot.

Edited November 24, 2009 by Jenks Heat

[bschmaranz]

Maddux, Biggio and Thomas would be a great class although I think Clemens is in there as well.....or is Clemens with Bonds??? Also Biggio and Thomas may not be first ballot.

 

Clemens is absolutely with Bonds. If he were to get in, the writers will let him sit on his ass for a good 5-6 years prior to voting him in.

[knightni]

Answer this with your head, not your heart.

.300 average 30 hr 100 rbi 100 BBs 5 straight seasons :

 

Babe Ruth

Jimmie Foxx

Ted Williams

Frank Thomas

[bschmaranz]

.300 average 30 hr 100 rbi 5 straight seasons :

 

Babe Ruth

Jimmie Foxx

Ted Williams

Frank Thomas

 

Albert Pujols says hi... I think you're leaving out the 100 BBs too

Edited November 24, 2009 by bschmaranz

[knightni]

Albert Pujols says hi... I think you're leaving out the 100 BBs too

yeah, 100 BBs too.

 

That excludes Albert.

[Balta1701]

My question, did the steroid scandel actually escalate his status as his perceived cleanliness and being in front of the steroid outcry overcome his sullen reputation. Will voters and purists take a more favorable look at him now than compared to if there was no steroid scandel?

Yes.

 

Also if he retires after 2004 wouldthe higher batting average have helped or are the 500 homers more important? I belive his career average may have dropped almost 20 points from 2000 but I could be wrong.

The 500 homers are more important. The only 500 HR guys who won't be in the Hall are the juicers.

Maddux, Biggio and Thomas would be a great class although I think Clemens is in there as well.....or is Clemens with Bonds??? Also Biggio and Thomas may not be first ballot.

Clemens is more likely to wind up in jail than the HOF right now.

[Kalapse]

Huge Frnak Thomas fan here and I sure he gets in but maybe not first ballott.

 

My question, did the steroid scandel actually escalate his status as his perceived cleanliness and being in front of the steroid outcry overcome his sullen reputation. Will voters and purists take a more favorable look at him now than compared to if there was no steroid scandel?

 

Also if he retires after 2004 wouldthe higher batting average have helped or are the 500 homers more important? I belive his career average may have dropped almost 20 points from 2000 but I could be wrong.

 

Look at that rankings above and see how many of those guys are steroid guys. Although I think Bonds was clean up until 1998.

 

It will be interesting to see how the McGwire, Bonds, Palmerio, Sosa voting plays out prior to Thomas becoming eligible.

 

Maddux, Biggio and Thomas would be a great class although I think Clemens is in there as well.....or is Clemens with Bonds??? Also Biggio and Thomas may not be first ballot.

500 HR is the big one.

 

He had a .321/.440/.579/1.018 career line going into the 2001 season but only 344 HR, that's not good enough.

 

After '04: .308/.429/.567/.996 and 436 HR

 

After '07: .303/.421/.561/.982 and 513 HR

 

And now: .301/.419/ .555/.974 and 521 HR