Frank Thomas to officially retire, Sox to retire #35

Young Drachma · 02-12-2010, 12:27 AM

Former Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas to announce retirement on Friday - ESPN Chicago

Quote:

The White Sox are expected to announce at that time that Thomas' No. 35 will be retired the summer, according to major league sources. A source speculated the ceremony could occur around Aug. 2, which is the 20-year anniversary of when Thomas broke in with the Sox.

MLB.com first reported that Thomas would retire. Thomas, who played for the White Sox from 1990-2005, told MLB.com he spent last winter, as well as much of this offseason, thinking about his future and waiting for offers that never surfaced. The five-time All-Star is thought to be a strong contender for the Baseball Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in 2014.

Thomas, arguably the greatest player in Sox history, holds numerous team records, including all-time home run and RBI marks. Thomas, who turns 42 on May 27, has pursued a career in broadcasting since failing to hook on with a team after 2008.

k0ruptr · 02-12-2010, 12:31 AM

Props to my favorite player of all time - ever - in any sport.

Single handedly got me to watch baseball - and most sports. I was 5 when he was drafted. I miss him, and always will.

5 years from now, hoping for HOF.

molson · 02-12-2010, 12:59 AM

Should be a HOF lock.

Also, the only guy who actually cooperated with the Mitchell report, by granting an interview. Class act all the way.

Philliesfan980 · 02-12-2010, 05:06 AM

It's really a shame that this guy played in the "Steroids Era" because his overall legacy is going to be diminished just because his numbers didn't destroy his peers. I know we can really never know for certain, but I feel pretty comfortable in saying that the guy was not a steroids user. One of the all time greats.

CleBrownsfan · 02-12-2010, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philliesfan980

It's really a shame that this guy played in the "Steroids Era" because his overall legacy is going to be diminished just because his numbers didn't destroy his peers. I know we can really never know for certain, but I feel pretty comfortable in saying that the guy was not a steroids user. One of the all time greats.

I think we're going to be saying this a lot in the next 5-10 years. Very sad for baseball...

MikeVic · 02-12-2010, 09:35 AM

I started watching baseball around the time the Jays won their second World Series, and Frank Thomas scared the crap out of me as a kid (not in the sense that he'd kill me personally, but as an opposing baseball player).

DanGarion · 02-12-2010, 09:41 AM

One of my favorite players of all time. I used to have a "Big Hurt" poster in my bedroom. Amazing talent.

stevew · 02-12-2010, 10:22 AM

I remember following him when he broke in. Class act all the way.

Senator · 02-12-2010, 10:31 AM

Always watched to see what he would do.

Neuqua · 02-12-2010, 10:44 AM

My favorite nickname in all of sports.

ISiddiqui · 02-12-2010, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philliesfan980

It's really a shame that this guy played in the "Steroids Era" because his overall legacy is going to be diminished just because his numbers didn't destroy his peers. I know we can really never know for certain, but I feel pretty comfortable in saying that the guy was not a steroids user. One of the all time greats.

Actually, in his 20s, one can argue his numbers DID destroy his peers. In his first 8 seasons (including his 60 game rookie season), he didn't have a season OPS+ BELOW 174. That's incredible (for comparison's sake, Joe Mauer's OPS+ last season was 170).

Logan · 02-12-2010, 01:02 PM

Seriously, the guy was probably the best hitter around for a good number of years. I remember playing World Series Baseball on Genesis and using the Sox almost exclusively cause of Thomas.

I think he came off as a quieter guy, which allowed him to be underrated somehow.

sterlingice · 02-12-2010, 01:58 PM

Definitely a HOF guy. Again, doesn't get enough credit for speaking out against steroids and putting his money where his mouth was.

People talk about Jim Rice as being the "most feared hitter" when they were trying to generate some publicity for him. This is a guy who deservedly was the most feared hitter and has the numbers to back it up.

As amazing as Albert Pujols is, Frank Thomas was even better the first 8 years of his career. That's just mind-boggling.

SI

Blackadar · 02-12-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philliesfan980

It's really a shame that this guy played in the "Steroids Era" because his overall legacy is going to be diminished just because his numbers didn't destroy his peers. I know we can really never know for certain, but I feel pretty comfortable in saying that the guy was not a steroids user. One of the all time greats.

I'd bet he was a 'roid user. Then again, I don't really care if he was.

Logan · 02-12-2010, 04:13 PM

You should go back into retirement.

Blackadar · 02-12-2010, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan

You should go back into retirement.

.

Frank Thomas should have gone into retirement 3 years ago.

02-12-2010, 12:31 AM	#2
k0ruptr Pro Starter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Las Vegas	Props to my favorite player of all time - ever - in any sport. Single handedly got me to watch baseball - and most sports. I was 5 when he was drafted. I miss him, and always will. 5 years from now, hoping for HOF. __________________ Xbox Live Gamertag: k0ruptr My Favorite Teams : Chicago White Sox - Carolina Panthers - Orlando Magic - Phoenix Suns - Anaheim Ducks - Hawaii Warriors - Oregon Ducks

02-12-2010, 09:41 AM	#7
DanGarion Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Great Northwest	One of my favorite players of all time. I used to have a "Big Hurt" poster in my bedroom. Amazing talent. __________________ Los Angeles Dodgers Check out the FOFC Groups on Facebook! and Reddit! DON'T REPORT ME BRO!

02-12-2010, 10:31 AM	#9
Senator FOFC's Elected Representative Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The stars at night; are big and bright	Always watched to see what he would do. __________________ "i have seen chris simms play 4-5 times in the pros and he's very clearly got it. he won't make a pro bowl this year, but it'll come. if you don't like me saying that, so be it, but its true. we'll just have to wait until then" imettrentgreen "looking at only ten games, and oddly using a median only, leaves me unmoved generally" - Quiksand

02-12-2010, 10:44 AM	#10
Neuqua Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Chicago, Ill	My favorite nickname in all of sports. __________________ Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?

02-12-2010, 01:58 PM	#13
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	Definitely a HOF guy. Again, doesn't get enough credit for speaking out against steroids and putting his money where his mouth was. People talk about Jim Rice as being the "most feared hitter" when they were trying to generate some publicity for him. This is a guy who deservedly was the most feared hitter and has the numbers to back it up. As amazing as Albert Pujols is, Frank Thomas was even better the first 8 years of his career. That's just mind-boggling. SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

02-12-2010, 12:59 AM	#3
molson General Manager Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Mountains	Should be a HOF lock. Also, the only guy who actually cooperated with the Mitchell report, by granting an interview. Class act all the way. Last edited by molson : 02-12-2010 at 12:59 AM.

02-12-2010, 05:06 AM	#4
Philliesfan980 Banned Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Exton, PA	It's really a shame that this guy played in the "Steroids Era" because his overall legacy is going to be diminished just because his numbers didn't destroy his peers. I know we can really never know for certain, but I feel pretty comfortable in saying that the guy was not a steroids user. One of the all time greats.

02-12-2010, 09:35 AM	#6
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	I started watching baseball around the time the Jays won their second World Series, and Frank Thomas scared the crap out of me as a kid (not in the sense that he'd kill me personally, but as an opposing baseball player).

02-12-2010, 10:22 AM	#8
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	I remember following him when he broke in. Class act all the way.

02-12-2010, 01:02 PM	#12
Logan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NYC	Seriously, the guy was probably the best hitter around for a good number of years. I remember playing World Series Baseball on Genesis and using the Sox almost exclusively cause of Thomas. I think he came off as a quieter guy, which allowed him to be underrated somehow.

02-12-2010, 04:13 PM	#15
Logan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NYC	You should go back into retirement.

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