Quite Frankly, He Was The Greatest
by KenWo4LiFe on Feb 12, 2010 5:11 AM CST
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Thank goodness for Jim Fregosi, Fred Manrique, Dan Pasqua, a young Jack McDowell and Rickey Horton. Without their absolutely terrible 1988 season, the White Sox would not have been in line to pick 7th in the 1989 draft. The Sox made the most out of that pick when they drafted Frank Edward Thomas out of Auburn University. In a short amount of time, he would become known nationwide as The Big Hurt.
On August 2nd 1990, a little over a year after he was drafted, Frank Thomas debuted for the White Sox in Milwaukee going 0-4 with 1 RBI. In those two months that we got the pleasure to watch him play at the original Comiskey Park, we knew that we had something special. Thomas posted a line of .330/.454/.529 with 7 homers and 31 RBI in 60 games. He was also the last man in a White Sox uniform to hit a home run at Comiskey Park.
In 1991, we got to witness Thomas for a full season for the first time. He started the year off by hitting the first White Sox home run at the New Comiskey Park and ended the season with a line of .318/.453/.553 with 32 home runs 109 RBI and a third place finish in the AL MVP award.
In 1993, he led the Sox to their first playoff birth in 10 years and also snagged the MVP award with a line of .317/.426/.607 41 home runs and 128 RBI's. Thomas started to give the White Sox national recognition, something they really never had before his arrival. In 1994, Thomas was having one of the greatest seasons in the history of baseball when he was hitting .353/.487/.729 with 38 homers and 101 RBI's in only 113 games. The strike robbed us of seeing more of Thomas in his best season.
After that 1994 season, the Sox got into a rut of finishing around .500 for a few years. However, the one consistent thing that we had was the Big Hurt. From 1991-1997, Thomas hit at least .300 with at least 20 homers, 100 RBI, 100 Runs, 100 Walks. The only player to do that more than 5 times other than Thomas was Ted Williams, who did it 6 years in a row. Thomas also won the batting title in 1997 by hitting .347.
After down seasons, at least for Thomas standards in 1998 and 1999 (even though he hit 44 homers and drove in nearly 200 RBI's in that stretch) Thomas came back with a vengeance in 2000. The Big Hurt again led the White Sox to the post season as he hit .328/.436/.625 with 43 homers and 143 RBI's. Thomas finished 2nd to Jason Giambi in the MVP voting. Giambi has since confessed to steroid use during that season. Thomas, on the other hand, was never linked to steroid use and was the only player who volunteered to be interviewed by the Mitchell Report.
After a season ending injury early in 2001, Thomas came back in 2002 to hit 28 homers and knock in 92 runs. After being injured and controversy over a "diminished skills" clause in his contract, Thomas came back in 2003 to pound 42 homers and 105 RBI's. Frank became a dead pull power hitter, which caused his average to drop to .267 that season, but he still finished 15th in the MVP award voting.
As his Sox career came to a close in 2004 and 2005, Thomas suffered from more injuries. Despite playing in only 108 games those last two seasons, Thomas still hit 30 homers and 75 RBI's. 12 of those home runs came in the Sox 2005 World Series Championship season. Thomas never got to play in the World Series, but nonetheless won his ever elusive championship ring. He also spoke at the Victory Parade which was his unofficial good bye to the Sox fans.
Thomas had a war of words with GM Kenny Williams as he moved on to the Oakland A's, but when the A's made the trip to the Cell, it was clear that the White Sox fans still had the Big Hurt's back. Thomas received a well deserved standing ovation and promptly hit a home run in his first at bat against the Sox. (This was when the video montage actually meant something before they started giving it out to every former Sox who ever played for the team). Thomas received a standing ovation as he rounded the bases, which was an awesome sight to see. Later in the game he hit another bomb, and turned around his 2006 season which went from really bad to really great. He led the A's to the postseason that year by jacking 39 homers and 114 RBI's. Thomas finished 4th in the MVP voting.
His 500th homer came as a member of the Blue Jays, who he signed with after 2006. Thomas went on to hit 21 more home runs in his career, which came to an end after yet another injury on August 29th, 2008 after going 2-4. His career line is .301/.419/.555 with 521 homers 1704 RBI, 2,468 Hits and 1,667 Walks. He is the Sox all time leader in most categories.
Later on today, Thomas will hold a press conference to announce his official retirement. His time on the South side was somewhat rocky, but anyone who got the privilege to see him play will tell you he is without a doubt one of the greatest hitters to ever step into the box. If you were a White Sox fan throughout the 90s, you know that you will never see another talent like the one and only Big Hurt Frank Thomas.
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Sometimes there’s a man… I won’t say a hero, ‘cause what’s a hero? But sometimes, there’s a man – and I’m talkin’ about the Hurt here – sometimes, there’s a man, well, he’s the man for his time and place. He fits right in there. And that’s the Hurt. In Chicago. And even if he’s a crazy awesome hitter – and the Dude was most certainly that, quite possibly the most crazy awesome in Cook County, which would place him high in the runnin’ for craziest worldwide – Sometimes there’s a man… Sometimes, there’s a man. Ah, I lost my train of thought here. But… aw, hell. I done introduced him enough.
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
by colintj on Feb 12, 2010 8:12 AM CST reply actions 7 recs
The best RH hitter I ever saw. Others had great seasons (Albert in '98 for example), but...
Frank’s body of work beats them all.
"his ballerness could not be stoped which rose his era to 5.42 "
Seriously, who is the best LH hitter?
Williams? And why the qualifier?
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
lefties have an advantage
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
I'm askin'.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
offhand i'd guess ruth and bonds
but being lefty is an advantage that should be accounted for if you’re asking about “best hitter”. imagine if Frank had the platoon advantage in 60-70% of his PA.
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
See, I was going to list Mays,
but I think he (and Aaron) would be in the “best baseball player” category, like Sweetness as the “best football player”, not the best running back.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
Yep,
though Frank, as a hitter (not just power hitter) was better.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
wow, that's close for me between mays and thomas but just saying that tells you how great frank was.
mays is always in the discussion for greatest player of all time. thomas will always be in the discussion for one of the greatest hitters of all time.
you'd have to do the historical adjustments
but it looks like Mays is way more comparable than i’d have guessed. career numbers would be about the same if Mays took a lot more walks.
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
looking at the historical WAR database
So was Bonds.
So we have a contest. Hence my question.
And I saw Hack Wilson and Rogers Hornsby. (Sorry, was channeling Chiburb there.)
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
Yeah - but how do you separate it?
He’s a HOF guy, for sure, but how do you say he’s the best ever with that qualifier? And it’s somewhat material.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
why would the effects he got from juicing
be any more than anyone else’s? if everyone was on it, then it’s no asterisk required.
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
What thread are you on?
Are we not talking about Frank? Not everyone was juicing. Especially in the 1940’s or the 1960’s.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
Evidently enough were juicing that players like Thomas, Thome, and Griffey
Are revered so much more.
Taj Gibson is the face of Bulls basketball!
by Trey23 on Jan 5, 2010 6:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
by Ozzie Montana on Feb 12, 2010 8:44 PM CST up reply actions
thome likes to play dumb
but he was a juicer
by onlysoxfaninbasel on Feb 13, 2010 6:17 AM CST up reply actions
1 divided by infinity is 0
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
Mark Grace, I bet, was clean, too.
< Infinity.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
my point is mostly that
if the vast majority were users, then he lacked a competitive advantage there so you wouldn’t have to adjust for it.
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
I think its pretty freaking clear what Bonds did you have to adust for
Fantastic player but he turned into a cartoon character. Yes he’s in my HOF but I can’t consider him 1 of the greatest ever.
"You're lucky I'm retired"
Jack Bauer
or teddy fucking ballgame
bird law in this country is not ruled by reason
by soxshenanigans on Feb 13, 2010 2:09 PM CST up reply actions
Look a little higher up in the thread.
I wasn’t speaking of Randy.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
sorry, missed it
bird law in this country is not ruled by reason
by soxshenanigans on Feb 13, 2010 8:03 PM CST up reply actions
I still believe
he got royally screwed in 2000. IIRC, had he won the MVP, that would have voided the diminished skills clause in his contract, guaranteeing him a boatload more dinero.
I loved those teams from the 90’s, Ventura, Big Frank, and Black Jack especially. That string of drafts from the late 80’s was just sick.
Thank you!
I still haven’t let that go. Him not winning the 2000 MVP was a crime. There was also an All-Star game he got screwed on too. I grew up on Big Frank. One of the greatest.
Bottom line, the man could flat out rake.
Hands down the reason I became a sox fan.
The Great Frank Thomas.
Better have a Frank Day at some point, probably later this year. And, yeah….a bust out on the patio….and the biggest one, too.
if only he could have mastered that throw from 1st to 2nd base
he would have been a sure-fire hall of famer.
Yep. If he had a glove he MIGHT qualify as a DH for the Sox.
"his ballerness could not be stoped which rose his era to 5.42 "
Still is a sure-fire, first-ballot HoF
White Sox fan; Jeppson's Malort man
by KarkoviceIsHawt on Feb 12, 2010 1:42 PM CST up reply actions
My all-time favorite player.
by The Actual El Guapo on Feb 12, 2010 8:40 AM CST via mobile reply actions 4 recs
Every baseball memory from my childhood involves Frank
I remember as an 8 year old my dad saying that there might be strike by the players that would make them stop playing baseball and being disappointed, but I turned to him and said “even Frank Thomas?” and when he said yes, I just started sobbing. Frank was different to me.
I might have been too young to really appreciate his greatness at the time, but he was a more larger than life figure for me than Jordan. When I think of my favorite athletes of all time, it will be difficult for anyone to top what Frank means to me. Even when I first read about this, I shed a tear knowing that I will never see him play baseball again.
brndnprkns: I'm pretty sure the "badass" value of your life is closer to Gigli than The Dark Knight
by whitesoxmatt on Feb 12, 2010 8:49 AM CST reply actions 11 recs
yessir.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 12, 2010 10:20 AM CST up reply actions
Rec'd. 8 seems to be the prime age for finding a sports hero to whom no one later in life will ever compare.
I was 8 in 1977, which is the year Walter went ape-shit crazy on the NFL. No one — not even Frank — will ever come close to approaching the level of hero worship I had/have for Walter Payton.
Of course, it didn’t hurt that he was, you know, Walter Payton.
by The Actual El Guapo on Feb 12, 2010 12:35 PM CST up reply actions
My guy was Willie Mays in 1965.
I will be one of the first to buy his yet-unreleased book very soon.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
by winningugly on Feb 12, 2010 12:44 PM CST up reply actions
i doubt that.
but perhaps you’re referring to another book about willie mays, one that hasn’t been released. never can tell with you.
What the hell are you talking about? Doubt what?
His book is going to be released very soon. I’ll be one of the first to buy it. What’s so difficult about that? And I was doing “basket-catches” at SS because of Willie in Little League in the mid ’60’s.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
So when I wnt on Amazon last night
why did it say “soon-to-be-released”? I was reading the excerpt via SI or some other site.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
pretty sure it didn't since the book was, you know, released already.
i’m guessing your temporary blindness is the inevitable result of decades of masturbation.
by larry on Feb 12, 2010 3:07 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Not decades. Catholic.
Thanks for the 411, sir. I’ll order it tonight.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
you can lie to mortals
but the good lord knows of your fornication.
by larry on Feb 12, 2010 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Every sperm is sacred,
you POS.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
by winningugly on Feb 12, 2010 7:47 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
hahaha allow me to be the first to rec this
If the woman is offering an opinion, you are doing it wrong. - HSA
Yeah I was 8 then too.
Loved Sweetness. Loved the White Sox that year too. Hitmen. I swear in my young warped mind they hit 300 homers that year. Its hilarious they didn’t even get 200.
"You're lucky I'm retired"
Jack Bauer
I was in love with Scottie Pippen first, Frank Thomas second.
Taj Gibson is the face of Bulls basketball!
by Trey23 on Jan 5, 2010 6:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
by Ozzie Montana on Feb 12, 2010 12:53 PM CST up reply actions
People think I'm weird for it but
Scottie Pippen is my favorite basketball player of all time. I understand personally he’s not so grand, but I loved watching him play the game.
"You're lucky I'm retired"
Jack Bauer
scottie presenting Tdogg with his first microsoft certification
by larry on Feb 12, 2010 1:01 PM CST up reply actions 5 recs
gold. :D for the vest alone.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 12, 2010 1:05 PM CST up reply actions
Green.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
All you Jewish guys look alike.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
by winningugly on Feb 12, 2010 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
He's my favorite player of all-time as well.
I seriously doubt any other player could have played in Jordan’s shadow and done so well.
Taj Gibson is the face of Bulls basketball!
by Trey23 on Jan 5, 2010 6:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
by Ozzie Montana on Feb 12, 2010 2:47 PM CST up reply actions
Except for the migraines.
And the refusing to go into a game. Other than that…
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
Damn straight other than that. One mistake doesn't override a career of brilliance.
He’s regretted it ever since, his teammates and coaches have forgiven him.
Taj Gibson is the face of Bulls basketball!
by Trey23 on Jan 5, 2010 6:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
by Ozzie Montana on Feb 12, 2010 3:04 PM CST up reply actions
Just giving you a hard time.
Penny Hardaway was compared to him a lot, and being in Orlando I saw a lot of Penny. Scottie was much better. But it is amazing that either of them ascended to the heights they did, coming from the environment they grew up in. More power to them.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
its dissapointing the bulls cant bring him back in some coach capacity
especially since JR does such a good job for the former sox players
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
WU, migraines can be really debilitating
my mum and my brother get really bad ones. My mum gets hypersensitive to light and my brother gets the spins and pukes among other symptoms…and no his migraines don’t coincide with him drinking as he started getting these in 2nd grade
-Jeeves Life in the Cell
I was maried to a woman who had migraines.
Caffergot was important to her. I understand – everything stops. Percy Harvin of the Vikings had them all year long this year. By no means was I suggesting that Pippen was dogging it. Like any physical malady, though, it reduced his reliability.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
ok fair enough
I misunderstood it as it was in such proximity to the refusing to go in the game
-Jeeves Life in the Cell
my mother and i both have teh migraines
If the woman is offering an opinion, you are doing it wrong. - HSA
His 93-94 season is overlooked in my opinion
Really stepped up and carried the team, and almost past the Knicks in the second round. I thought his candy bar was delicious. I had the all red shoes he wore during his MVP performance in the All-Star game for my 6th grade season.
We just need to execute better - Lovie Del Negro
He also had incredible acting chops.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVmSm3FVaFQ
Taj Gibson is the face of Bulls basketball!
by Trey23 on Jan 5, 2010 6:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
by Ozzie Montana on Feb 12, 2010 3:10 PM CST up reply actions
This.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
"ladies, let's have a party" sounded quite natural
These events have me frightened and on the verge of evacuating my bowels.
by thatshortkid on Feb 13, 2010 11:30 AM CST up reply actions
since we're reliving the glory of Pippen
Anybody else remember Zippin which was some random ass juice type drink?
Zippin Pippen, that commercial was awful even then and it kills me that i can’t find it on youtube
-Jeeves Life in the Cell
when i was a small child
the first thing i can remember wanting to be was a snowman. then scottie pippen. then vet.
"A brief but trenchant analysis of Scott Podsednik
He’s dogshit."
by NYRoyal on Jan 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST
by U-God on Feb 12, 2010 3:02 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Couldn't have summed up what Frank meant to me better than this...
I had a very similar feeling towards the Big Man. I actually grew up watching more Cubs games on TV than White Sox games. Anyone who lived in the Chicago area in the early/mid 80s will remember it was hard to get the Sox on TV. It was in ‘89/’90, when Frank first came up big with the team and I began my love affair with the White Sox. Frank was the biggest reason why… a larger than life presence who was special to watch. I don’t know if anyone remembers the commercial the Sox ran in 2003 or 04. The basic gist was how everyone stopped what they were doing when the Big Hurt was at the plate. That’s how I reacted throughout his entire career. He wasn’t just my favorite Sox player; he was like a super hero to me. Gave me chills when he took that massive swing. I was sad when he and the team parted ways in 05, but went to the home games when the A’s or Jays came to town, specifically to re-live the joy he gave me as a child. Today brings mixed feelings. I am elated that the team will finally bestow upon him the honor that he deserves. But I also shed a small tear knowing that part of my baseball youth is finally gone for good. Farwell, Frank. It’s been a great ride!
Glad to be out here... here in the Middle West!
by SludgeFactoryDuke on Feb 12, 2010 1:30 PM CST up reply actions
There was a moment in June of 2005 when I thought that Frank would get the ultimate sendoff...
He was crushing the ball, and it semmed appropriate that Frank Thomas would be a key part of what was shaping up to be a magical season.
Even after he got hurt, it was cool that he followed the team through the playoffs and took part in the celebrations.
If you want to have a fun walk down memory lane, go to the Baseball’s Best section at MLB.tv You can watch the 1993 AL West clincher, with Hawk and Wimpy on Sports Channel. Frank, Robin, Bo Jackson, Ellis Burks, Warren Neeeewwwwwww-som, Cora, Ozzie, Tim Raines….
Lots of talent on the south side in the ’90s. Too bad they had to be managed by dumbass Terry Bevington.
I was at a game in Detroit
in 2005. The game went deep into extra innings and Frank hit the go ahead (eventually game winning) homer…. It was his 8th home run of the year… He notched a few more but that was the last great memory I have of him as a White Sox.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=200506290DET
Kenwo4life=ratings
I was partial to this one myself
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA200506240.shtml
A 12-2 drubbing of the local national league club on a 95 degree afternoon.
Very nice, KenWo
I still remember watching him in his first season with the team, looking at those massive tree-truck thighs and thinking that this was some kind of monster-hitter that nobody had ever seen before. And then when I learned that he played football with Bo Jackson at Auburn, I wondered if safeties on opposing teams cried when those two came running at them. I would come into the TV room from outside just to watch Frank take his at-bat. The Big Hurt wasn’t the Proto-Pujos. He was (and is) his own unique, amazing model. We were all very lucky to be able to watch him and cheer for him for so many years.
.
When Frank was at his peak, every AB was entertaining. No matter what else was going on in the house, I didn’t want to miss a pitch when Frank was at the plate. He looked like a giant cat, salivating as the ball was delivered. If he didn’t get his pitch, he would take the walk. Every pitch in the zone felt like a mistake.
I enjoyed watching him hit more than anyone I’ve ever seen.
by Mitch. on Feb 12, 2010 9:38 AM CST reply actions 4 recs
he was pure offense
I will miss that
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
Imagine if he didn't change his approach and took less walks.
I think we would be talking about the current HR champ.
"I don’t know how you guys measure worth…but I do know you idiots need a graph to show you that Josh Fields sucks…"
by Where Triples Go to Die on Feb 12, 2010 8:47 PM CST up reply actions
i think that's ridiculous.
you think he would have hit 200 of those low, outside pitches out of the park? more likely he would have hit .280/.350/.500
We are talking about one of the best contact hitters in the history of the game right?
Swing the bat MORE hit MORE home runs. I don’t see what is so outlandish about that statement mick jag.
"I don’t know how you guys measure worth…but I do know you idiots need a graph to show you that Josh Fields sucks…"
by Where Triples Go to Die on Feb 13, 2010 6:06 PM CST up reply actions
maybe he was such a good contact hitter because he didn't chase balls out of the zone?
swing the bat at more balls and STRIKE OUT more. it wasn’t outlandish, just stupid.
Don't personalize.
It is a ridiculous statement, WTGTD.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
why do you suppose he made the contact he did and took all those pitches?
the two are related. also: the dude was one of the most complete hitters the game, great at everything, and you think he should have changed his approach?
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
In my late years of college and right after graduation
it was roughly 92-94. My buddies and I had a saying, when leaving and of course drinking.
“I’m like Frank Thomas up to bat”
“Gone.”
"You're lucky I'm retired"
Jack Bauer
heh. :)
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 12, 2010 10:21 AM CST up reply actions
When i was little my family went down to spring training
I was a cute little guy and would sneak down early before every game I went to with a couple balls to get signed. Over the course of the week, I saw Frank Thomas signing autographs about every game I went to. I got his autograph three or four times during spring training, the most of any player. This wasn’t because I was only trying to get Frank’s. It was because he was out there in the Arizona heat everyday signing for all of the little kids.
Great hitter, great player, and a great guy. I love the Big Hurt.
bird law in this country is not ruled by reason
by soxshenanigans on Feb 12, 2010 10:06 AM CST reply actions
Fin?
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
You can put him on the wall....
Trib reports:
The White Sox announced that his uniform will be retired during an on-field ceremony on “Frank Thomas Day,” August 29, when the team hosts the New York Yankees at 1:05 p.m.
Number 35 is retired…until Mark Kotsay wants it…
by 67WMAQ on Feb 12, 2010 10:14 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
yah I just bought tickets
they make sure its a weekend game vs. the yanks to charge primetime prices… 4 tickets 220 bucks. my wife is going to choke me out… but its worth it for the Big Hurt!
Kenwo4life=ratings
Smart business for the Sox
Nice way to fill the park with Sox fans on a Sunday afternoon, especially when Yankee fans buy half of the tickets.
see
I would think that it is a bad move. They would probably sell out of that game anyway. If they made it against a less desirable team maybe they could draw more of a gate for that given day… say August 1st. vs Oakland.
Kenwo4life=ratings
thats what I would've done
but the good thing is that stadium will be completly filled with sox fans chanting the whole game instead of half gaykees
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
thats another reason why the date sucks.
good chance the stadium is still gonna have a good number of yankee fans.
but i’m assuming his last game being played on the 29th was the driving factor.
Thanks a lot
Just bought tickets for it.
by Grinder in Training on Feb 12, 2010 10:35 AM CST up reply actions
I was 7 years old when Frank played his first full season.
I was just starting to understand the game, so perhaps I didn’t fully understand what I was witnessing, as Frank embarked on his career.
He grew into a legend, while I grew into a person.
I will never forget sitting by the dugout and seeing Frank emerge to take his swings in the on-deck circle.
He was breathtaking. He was a behemoth. He was unlike any human I had ever beheld, and what he did with that bat will never be forgotten.
I get chills remembering all of the miracles he performed at the plate over the years.
How lucky I feel, to have him as my childhood hero.
I’m pretty sad here, getting teary on and off quite a bit while I recall all the magical moments. But most of the tears are joyful and grateful ones.
Perhaps I wouldn’t be the Sox and baseball devotee I am today, if not for him.
Thanks, Big Hurt.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
Do you remember being told that you were watching a Hall of Famer?
Even if you didn’t know what a Hall of Fame was?
"his ballerness could not be stoped which rose his era to 5.42 "
Yes, I do. I was going to ask you to tell that story, about one of your proudest moments as a father.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 12, 2010 10:56 AM CST up reply actions
thank god the white sox got juan pierre to erase that memory.
by larry on Feb 12, 2010 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
yah he threw like a jag
but he was actually pretty decent on scooping the ball. I played 1st base and had my dad by the Wilson 2800 black first base glove he used.
Kenwo4life=ratings
i think his reputation is worse than reality
if he had put any time into working on fielding he could have stayed there. i think he was afraid of failure….. like in little league when you say “oh god, please don’t let the ball come to me.”
he was all to eager to be the full time DH.
Paulie scoops better, Ken.
Deal wit dat!
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
I met him last night at the CSN Sports Awards.
A full update will appear over the weekend, but his reputation as less than fan friendly was not deserved last night- I was giddy as a school girl when I shook his hand and stammered “I am a HUGE fan, and it is a real honor to meet you”. Plus, his wife was smoking hot- big surprise there, I know.
Of course, the day after he meets me he officially retires, so tell me who else you want me to meet so I can get them out of baseball as well.
Drunk Tank Mace
by DrEmilioLizardo on Feb 12, 2010 10:46 AM CST reply actions
awesome
i look forward to hear about the event. I wanted to go but 300 a ticket was a little hefty with the wife at home and all. Damn baby.
Kenwo4life=ratings
Mark Kotsay
Andruw Jones (however the fuck you spell that name)
Omar Vizquel
and everyone on the twins
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
I will avoid Kotsay, Mauer and Thome, but am planning a road trip now.
Kotsay is useful- Ozzie thinks he is more capable than he actually is.
Drunk Tank Mace
by DrEmilioLizardo on Feb 12, 2010 2:24 PM CST up reply actions
that one made me wince at the time
Bevington was supposedly a managerial prospect in the early 90s…he made me miss Don Kessinger when he got the job.
i remember that terrible commercial so well
"A brief but trenchant analysis of Scott Podsednik
He’s dogshit."
by NYRoyal on Jan 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST
Frank, HSA, and HSA's sister...
The girls were probably about 9 or 10, and I believe it was a Saturday night game. Lance Johnson (I think) was on first with 1 out, and he took off for second on the first pitch to Frank. Everybody was cheering the stolen base except my 2 sourpuss daughters. I asked “what’s wrong” and they answered in unison:
“Now Frank will never see a strike”.
My proudest moment as a baseball father!
"his ballerness could not be stoped which rose his era to 5.42 "
by Chiburb on Feb 12, 2010 11:09 AM CST reply actions 7 recs
youre the father of baseball?
fuck, man, i knew you were old, but this is like, really old.
If the woman is offering an opinion, you are doing it wrong. - HSA
by BoeJouma on Feb 12, 2010 5:26 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
He's the Father of Baseball Annies.
Big diff.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
might i ask who provided you with your sig?
If the woman is offering an opinion, you are doing it wrong. - HSA
I believe it is paul_. I don't remember.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
was it in reference to when I posted this?
Reporter: I was wondering if at any point in my lifetime the Cubs weren't going to be run by a guy who didn't immediately remind me of failure, confusion, or imminent death
no shit???????????????????
no wonder why you were so pissed at me earlier this year over one of my posts…as a dad i can appreciate that. sorry for that chiburb.
Hell Yesss
by Grinder Rule #42 on Feb 12, 2010 6:40 PM CST up reply actions
Thank goodness for Frank
As a 25 year old now… he was “the guy” my entire time growing up. Surrounded by Cubs fans, without the Big Hurt, I can only imagine I’d be a bleacher bum too.
He was the anti-Cub and I always felt I could relate better to him, then anything going on in the other side of town.. he wasn’t always smiling, he wasn’t the most media saavy guy, wasn’t hopping on the way around the bases, but he was our guy.
He made my decision on which team to root for a no-brainer, and I thank him for that. It only took one at bat to be amazed by Frank Thomas. Once I got my first White Sox shirt and saw him in person, there was no going back. I was a White Sox fan. I had the posters, the jersey, everything, MJ was great, but I never played basketball, and the Bears were just not very good, this was my sports hero.
Now that I’m older, I can’t imagine I’ll ever be able to have that kind of admiration for an athlete again, but Frank was it for me as a kid, and you only get one chance at that and I’m just glad it was him. The fact he was the first to go public against steroids and the one to volunteer to go to congress, makes it all seem better. I know, there’s no guarantee he didn’t use PED’s or that they even helped that much, but he’s as safe a bet as there is out there.
by Grinder in Training on Feb 12, 2010 11:23 AM CST reply actions
Frank is the Simpsons to Pujols' South Park
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
by colintj on Feb 12, 2010 11:33 AM CST reply actions 6 recs
Oh, yes, a thousand times yes.
Taj Gibson is the face of Bulls basketball!
by Trey23 on Jan 5, 2010 6:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
by Ozzie Montana on Feb 12, 2010 12:25 PM CST up reply actions
too true
Frank thru age 29: .330/.452/.600 182 OPS+ per 162 games: 39 HR 129 RBI 133 BB
Pujols thru age29 .334/.427/.628 172 OPS+ per 162 games: 43 HR 129 RBI 95 BB
-Jeeves Life in the Cell
the Davenport Translations say much the same
fwiw
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
Didn't see this coming:
Report: White Sox out of running for Damon
February 12, 2010 11:25 AM | 2 Comments
The White Sox “threw a bone” at Johnny Damon, but are not seriously involved in the bidding for the free-agent outfielder, according to a tweet from FoxSports.com baseball columnist Ken Rosenthal.
The Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves reportedly are the front-runners to land Damon.
"his ballerness could not be stoped which rose his era to 5.42 "
clearly there's no point
we have The Juan Pierre now
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
(( crosses fingers that the next headline is his hiring as new hitting coach ))
These events have me frightened and on the verge of evacuating my bowels.
by thatshortkid on Feb 12, 2010 11:53 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
dammit! We are on the same wavelength (sorry for you, probably). I was just about to post "how soon til he's our new hitting coach?"
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 12, 2010 11:55 AM CST up reply actions
frank will never work for that assclown ozzie.
he said Tim Raines is his best friend in baseball… I can’t imagine Tim has many kind words to say about Ozzie either.
Kenwo4life=ratings
It was a nice press conference.
cool to see frank in the Sox hat again and he seemed happy. By the way, his wife gets it done too. Not only would he be a better DH than Kotsay but his wife gives Kotsay’s a run for her money too!
Kenwo4life=ratings
This is all you need to show any HOF voter.
Along with Hall of Famers Mel Ott, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams, Thomas is one of just four players in baseball history to have a .300 average with 500 home runs, 1,500 RBI, 1,000 runs scored and 1,500 walks in his career.
Kenwo4life=ratings
Not used to SSS harmony
On this we all agree…. The Big Hurt…. rip-baseball career
"You're lucky I'm retired"
Jack Bauer
I believe he and Marriotti famously despised each other as well.
Just another feather in Frank’s cap.
by The Actual El Guapo on Feb 12, 2010 1:07 PM CST up reply actions
Frank coming up was immediately a change for the better.
The White Sox had developed hitters before; hell, Harold Baines had just finished a decade roping line drives all over the place the year Frank got drafted. But as soon as he came up in 1990, he gave us a truly fearsome homegrown hitter. (Not just Ron “I’ll hit the occasional ball out of the building” Kittle power but consistent all-around mashing.) I remember watching his first game at a bar and thinking, damn, this is going to be fun to watch develop.
The Sox could have used him at DH for all of 1990. He would have been the best hitter in that lineup.
I remember Torborg/Himes being concerned about his defense...
…so they wanted him at Birmingham. Imagine had they put Pasqua at 1B and just let Frank hit? The Orioles did that with Eddie Murray his first season and it turned out all right.
fantastic old frank article
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1005474/
"A brief but trenchant analysis of Scott Podsednik
He’s dogshit."
by NYRoyal on Jan 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST
foreshadowing?
“Who the——is Dave Campbell!?” Thomas yells. “A——.213 hitter trying to tell me what I can’t hit!? A——.213 hitter! Tellin’ me I can’t hit fastballs!”
This has snapped the clubhouse to attention and caused Venezuelan shortstop Ozzie Guillen to try to be helpful.
Guillen: “That’s true! You cannot hit fastballs!”
We just need to execute better - Lovie Del Negro
Guillen is hilarious in that article
If you read the parts around it, Guillen is being sarcastic. I think Guillen claims Frank can’t take a walk either. Possibly also says he should hit the gym, bulk up a little.
Great so far... so much in there is making me smile. Thanks
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 12, 2010 1:33 PM CST up reply actions
:)
And when Thomas let Cleveland catcher Sandy Alomar off the hook on July 23, purposely avoiding a collision at home plate when he could have turned Alomar into a wet cleanup on aisle 7, his own teammates rode him mercilessly. “The Big Hurt?” a voice grumbled, half kidding. “More like the Big Puss.”
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 12, 2010 1:43 PM CST up reply actions
very curious.
A curious thing happens to your average American baseball park when Frank Edward Thomas Jr. 26, steps to the plate. Cellular phones fold up.
Cashing checks and having sex.
by MarketMaker on Feb 13, 2010 11:31 AM CST up reply actions
i gotta say, that was a fun read.
it’s a shame that he won’t be remembered how he might have been. he’s the best hitter i’ve ever watched. i never missed an AB back then. it was a clinic. he and jordan. even when you’re a kid, you know when you’re watching greatness. i hope to witness that again some day.
Cashing checks and having sex.
by MarketMaker on Feb 13, 2010 11:49 AM CST up reply actions
Just bought 4 tickets to "Frank Thomas Day" in August
Twitter: @SouthSideCheat
SouthSideSox on Facebook
i'll be there as well
thanks to whomever posted the date
We just need to execute better - Lovie Del Negro
Frank is the reason I became a White Sox fan
From the beginning he had a presence at the plate I had never seen before. Not just because he was a mountain of a man. You knew he would never waste a plate appearance, he would never disappoint. Great hitters will come and go but no one will ever match him in my eyes.
Frank Thomas memory
I was 5-8 and at a night game. 100 level seats on the left side by the home dugot. I remember screaming Franks name as he walked into the dugot after warmups. He looked at everyone above the dugout and smiled at us.
He gave us fireworks that night with two homers and a win
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
the shrill accompanying this post is courtesy of kenwo.
Sat down with Frank Thomas today. Said Frank: “The only team I really wanted to play for (in 2010) was the White Sox again. That was it.”
by larry on Feb 12, 2010 1:50 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
FUCK MY LIFE!
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 12, 2010 1:59 PM CST up reply actions
i would be down with that, as long as we don't tell anyone until opening day
OMG THAT’S FRANK THOMAS’ MUSIC
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
FRANK THOMAS HAS COME OUT OF RETIREMENT
AND INTO HIS OWN AS A RAGING MANIAC BENT ON THE DESTRUCTION OF ALL! SAVE THE CHILDREN!
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
that would be so fucking amazing
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
Hey, we know Ken is not a Munch.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
Now that was goddamn funny.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
thats it, like your own statues
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
*statuses
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
First time I got to see Frank live was 1996..
at Jacobs Field in Cleveland. I was 12 years old, and dying to get a ball signed by him. I begged my parents to buy me a ball before the game, but they thought that I had no chance of getting a players autograph because we had never been to a game and didn’t know the players would sign. I stood there for 2 hours watching the players warmup and take BP hoping to get my hat signed because i didn’t have a ball. Finally, just as the national anthem finished up and i left my spot to go back to my seat, Frank comes over to sign! I was 3 rows back from the field and literally swan dived into the front row. I was the last person he signed for. Finally, i got his signature. Of course, this is after the great Chris Snopek and Darren Lewis had signed my hat. To this day I still give my parents a hard time about not buying me a baseball.
the other signatures can easily be taken care of
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
Great read, KenWo. Thanks.
I always watched Frank via TV, since I had moved to FL in 1987 and never got to see him up close very much. He was awesome to behold – reminded me of Willie McCovey’s fearsomeness but with a wonderful batting eye and tremendous plate discipline. I also loved the national recognition he brought to the club, which especially after the stench of the mid/late ’80’s was welcome and timely.
Ryan Howard can only dream about being the next Frank Thomas.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
Who
has been calling Howard the next Frank?
The Cubs are not a baseball team. They are a baseball-themed marketing company that hosts frat parties for post grads and tourists.
Isn't it a natural comparison?
I am making it. I can’t think of another young, huge 1B today that has won an MVP already. Can you?
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
.
"A brief but trenchant analysis of Scott Podsednik
He’s dogshit."
by NYRoyal on Jan 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST
by U-God on Feb 12, 2010 3:11 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
NL pitchers
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
and what league is howard in?
"A brief but trenchant analysis of Scott Podsednik
He’s dogshit."
by NYRoyal on Jan 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST
compared to Frank, not howard
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
you did a good job of making the requisite choice of player of the same color.
however, a guy with a batting average well below .300, OBP of .375 and strikes out twice as much doesn’t seem like a natural comparison. and that whole left-handed thing.
So? I am talking about a physically imposing player.
Pujols is not as physically imposing as Howard, or Frank. I saw Howard when he was in ST as a AA player. Just the sheer size of him, and the raw power, lent comparison to Frank.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
neither are as intimidating as frank
but i would still go with albert in the comparison over howard
"A brief but trenchant analysis of Scott Podsednik
He’s dogshit."
by NYRoyal on Jan 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST
OPS/OBP, sure.
Size is what I am referring to. But it doesn’t matter.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
al's only an inch shorter and 20 lbs lighter
plus he seems more muscular while ryan seems chubby. but this is just nit-picking.
"A brief but trenchant analysis of Scott Podsednik
He’s dogshit."
by NYRoyal on Jan 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST
And just to throw this out there:
Morneau is the same height as Howard, and has a (hilariously undeserved) MVP of his own.
For some reason,
not as physically intimidating, si?
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
Black guys.
Especially after Columbine. I saw Chris Rock do stand-up, and he said so.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
who is afraid of canadians.
/fixed
-Jeeves Life in the Cell
Good point.
Skinheads, Ted Bundy/John W. Gacy/ Richard Speck/Jeff Dahmer, et. al are/were scary motherfuckers.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
seriously before the Barry Bonds ridiculous shit
There was Frank Thomas’s real deal stuff. Hell you would think the goofy HOF voters would fall all over themselves to make a statement. Also unlike folks like Jim Rice, Thomas made nice with the media at the end and gasp— joined them.
"You're lucky I'm retired"
Jack Bauer
no.
i can tell the difference between you and scottie in the picture above. even without the greg norman hat.
Tdogg doesn't have a breast in his hand.
I think we know what he does have in his hand, though.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
He's already divorced.
He’s on the slippery slope. Pretty soon his prostate will be shredded.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
I had to look that up.
Excellent.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
i guess even minor sports chew up and spit out their athletes.
“I think they are pushing it a little too much,” Australia’s Hannah Campbell-Pegg said Thursday night after she nearly lost control in training. “To what extent are we just little lemmings that they just throw down a track and we’re crash-test dummies? I mean, this is our lives.”
i’m not a big luger (lugee?) but perhaps placing numerous steel poles near the track should have struck someone as a bad idea?
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/02/georgian-slider-seriously-injured-in-luge-crash.html
That was my first thought...
If you really need the poles there for whatever, a little padding never hurt anyone.. you’d think the Olympics could afford it.
by Grinder in Training on Feb 12, 2010 4:17 PM CST up reply actions
not sure padding would really help at that speed.
but maybe netting or something to stop guys from “leaving” the track and actually hitting the poles? i dunno. perhaps this is all hindsight and i don’t understand the sport but when i saw the video i just thought that looked remarkably stupid. has to be a smarter way to set it up than that.
I wonder if they aren't simply inured to danger.
My completely uninformed take is:
The Summer Olympics are for the most part a series of simple trials of strength, agility, and speed: run faster, jump higher, lift more, swim faster, flip more. It’s fundamentally about athletes showcasing their physical abilities.
The Winter Olympics, though…so much of it just seems like athletes trying to balance on the thin line between speed and injury. In the skiing events, the luge/bobsled, the snowboarding events, and so on, the winner is the guy who can play chicken with the track/slope for just a millisecond longer than everyone else. I know the only way I could operate around those conditions would be to completely avoid thinking about the fact that all participants are only one mental lapse away from a career-ending injury.
I'm not trying to suggest the athletes are oblivious to the risk.
I imagine slamming one’s body into the ice repeatedly has a way of driving the danger home. They walk the line between victory and death; for the most part they don’t go obliviously hurtling past it.
The “they” I was referring to in the header were the organizers/planners. Winter Olympic events seem preposterously, audaciously dangerous to me. I wonder if the level of danger is so consistently and universally high that the organizers simply become accustomed to its presence, and so become less likely to address safety issues
even i knew there was discussion of this course being potentially dangerous for a few years prior to this incident.
but, yeah, some events are dangerous, i guess.
beware the ides of Vancouver
Reporter: I was wondering if at any point in my lifetime the Cubs weren't going to be run by a guy who didn't immediately remind me of failure, confusion, or imminent death
He's dead.
"his ballerness could not be stoped which rose his era to 5.42 "
by Chiburb on Feb 12, 2010 4:34 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
His legacy will hold up.
Frank Thomas was the only active player to volunteer to be interviewed for the Mitchell Report, and publicly advocated drug testing as far back as 1995. Dude was trying to blow the whistle a decade before anyone cared. He’s the only player—the only player of the ‘roid era who I am absolutely convinced is clean. The did-he-or-didn’t-he-and-does-it-matter question will linger over every other HoF case from here to eternity, but there shouldn’t be any doubt in anyone’s mind that Thomas was naturally one of the best hitters of all time.
And on a more personal note, Frank Thomas was the primary reason I became a White Sox fan. Not a terribly popular choice for a kid growing up in Minnesota, but Frank was awesome and that was really all I ever needed to know. It’s too bad he didn’t get a proper sendoff when he left; that whole ordeal was like watching Mommy and Daddy fighting.
Shit If I was Frank I would be going nuts over the out of control Juicing
Frank was able to grow that big naturally… that gives him a major advantage, steroids allow people to quickly catch up to him.
I just remember when it got really out of control and these skinny ass dudes were returning from the off season completely jacked (Sammy), it was so obvious.
Every once in a while, I need to be reminded of why I hate most everybody
Saw this quote on the A’s board.
“Frank should go into the Hall sporting the Green and Gold”
Knowing that will never happen makes me laugh at this idiot, but to think that some people actually believe this is scary.
so
if you guys want to start calling me doc, that would be cool.
i’m going to vet school at kansas state in the fall.
"A brief but trenchant analysis of Scott Podsednik
He’s dogshit."
by NYRoyal on Jan 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST
by U-God on Feb 12, 2010 5:27 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
dvm
not phd
"A brief but trenchant analysis of Scott Podsednik
He’s dogshit."
by NYRoyal on Jan 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST
that wasnt my point.
if i had a phd and worked at a burger king, id still make you call me doctor boejouma
If the woman is offering an opinion, you are doing it wrong. - HSA
i'm cool with "pre-doc"
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
congrats!
i’ll call you doc if you can do something about this burning sensation just below my tail.
by Trooper on Feb 12, 2010 6:04 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
anal warts flare up?
-Jeeves Life in the Cell
to the little apple you go
you’ll have about a 2 and a half hour drive to the k, but well worth it to get out of aggieville.
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/30_years_of_mans_life_disappear_in
Hell Yesss
by Grinder Rule #42 on Feb 12, 2010 6:45 PM CST up reply actions
Congrats, welcome to hell.
Taj Gibson is the face of Bulls basketball!
by Trey23 on Jan 5, 2010 6:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
by Ozzie Montana on Feb 12, 2010 6:48 PM CST up reply actions
That is FUCKING AWESOME, U-G.
Goddamit, I am proud of you.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
However, when I can call you Papa Doc
is when you get major respect.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
by winningugly on Feb 12, 2010 7:57 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
c-u was too much of a happening metropolis, huh
These events have me frightened and on the verge of evacuating my bowels.
by thatshortkid on Feb 13, 2010 9:08 AM CST up reply actions
Braves out on damon
It’s now detroit or us……he’d rather play in chicago I am sure.
Is he friends with anyone on the sox? He definitely doesn’t want to hang with faglio, cabrera, etc……
I think there ’s a shot.
by stanchar on Feb 12, 2010 5:33 PM CST via mobile reply actions
and how are you sure he wants to be in chicago?
If the woman is offering an opinion, you are doing it wrong. - HSA
id rather play in chicago
plus, how is it detroit, of all places, has money to spend??
If the woman is offering an opinion, you are doing it wrong. - HSA
and granderson is going to make less than
Damon this year. so i really don’t understand why they ditched Granderson.
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
no. the stathead orthodoxy on this topic is to ignore, or "control", for all other factors
and simply consider this a straight swap of granderson for damon. clearly makes complete sense.
it isn't a subject i've spent a lot of time on
so i’m not exactly employing a method. having not paid a ton of attention to the tigers, it’s weird to me. though i do recall you saying that you expected that money to be employed elsewhere. this is elsewhere?
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
or justin verlander is elsewhere. or magglio ordonez is elsewhere. or valverde.
the tigers have money. i don’t think dombrowski is under the same restraints that most GMs are that he needs to cut one place if he wants to add in another. which is what i think much of the analysis on the tigers is based upon. along with the fuller explication below.
not to mention the dozens of millions in sunk costs the Tigers have spent
they probably wanted some flexibility to get the guys they want. They liked the talent of Scherzer and A. Jackson and probably didn’t have a problem with losing two more expensive players long-term in Jackson and Granderson, who might not be that great going forward anyway. I don’t think it’s a great idea to start two iffy rookies when guys like Adam Kennedy would be had cheaply but I like the talent they’ve turned out recently. It would take a lot for them to win the division this year, though, but they have a very talented roster.
by Daniel Berlyn on Feb 13, 2010 8:03 PM CST up reply actions
And didn't they pick a down year to sell him on?
I mean I know we did the same with Swisher, but we didn’t turn around and drop 14 mil on a replacement for him. FNS.
"I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production." - Ozzie Guillen
"I'd rather have Rios hit 50 home runs than steal 50 bases. I want to win." - Servant2LordBeckham
by Servant2LordBeckham on Feb 12, 2010 6:50 PM CST up reply actions
If the tigers' offer
Blows ours out of the water (which it might)…..then I guess I understand he’s got to do what he’s got to do….but I think he makes us a better team than them, plus the city, and finally most importantly the ballpark for his numbers.
The fact that ozzie is silent on damon might be a good thing….kw has told him to shut the fuck up.
by stanchar on Feb 12, 2010 5:48 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
they're deficit spending though right?
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
i don't know. probably.
all i know is that i’m sick of the lame, uninformed commentary of fangraphs et al who, this entire offseason, seem to think that it’s detroit so, ergo, there’s no way that team could have any money. which, if they’d get their heads out of their chone spreadsheets, lacks common sense since, you know, their owner is one of the richest owners in baseball and has a long history of spending to win – hey, a one minute google search would reveal that mike ilitch owns the red wings and, gosh, he constantly spends money and incurs operating losses to win. but that would require some well-rounded thought behind it.
i've read somewhere (can't remember where exactly)
that the tigers brass think granderson is due for a steep decline, so they wanted to move him while he still had some relatively high value, dunno if its bs, but another theory at least.
We just need to execute better - Lovie Del Negro
on its face
giving up a 4 win player in his peak on a team that apparently has plenty of cash doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. larry assures that it’s part of some grand design and if Dombrowski isn’t great, i don’t think he’s terrible either. so i assume they’ll get about equal return if they’re trying to compete now.
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
i agree, seemed like a strange move
especially, like you said, if they end up paying damon more than what granderson would’ve gotten. just thought i’d throw that out there.
We just need to execute better - Lovie Del Negro
Hmm, when has any company based in Detroit
ever engaged in deficit spending? Anyone?
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
Hey that's not fair to use logic.
"Let’s plunge ourselves into the roar of time, the whirl of accident; may pain and pleasure, success and failure, shift as they will- it’s only action that can make a man" Faust, Goethe
the "detroit is broke" meme is powerful
and i don’t think presuming that folks operate under ‘normal’ budget constraints is all that lame, as long as you’re willing to admit you didn’t take the Minute Long Google Search route.
i mean i’m incidentally more informed than most thanks to proximity, knew he owned the Wings, etc. but i never really sat down and considered the Tigers’ past history, situation, etc. thinking back on it now, the whole I-Rod Mentors A .500 Team saga is a pretty clear illustration that Illitch doesn’t care that much about the win curve. so fangraphs and i may be dumb, but at least everyone else is too.
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
AJ and him are good friends.
played ball at the same high school. live next to each other. take trips together. Hopefully their bromance means he signs here… kinda like JJ Putz and Thornton. Maybe we will play our road games at Wrigley next year since there is so much love going around.
Kenwo4life=ratings
I wonder what the conversations sound like
Something tells me they include discussions about The Gators.
AJ gave a shout out to Alex Brown in his acceptance speech at the Comcast Award Show thingy for the March of Dimes
It is not happening.
When have AJ and Damon been MLB teammates? And who the hell likes AJ except me and PR?
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
I like AJ a lot.
Very few players have personified the South Side attitude like AJ does.
"I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production." - Ozzie Guillen
"I'd rather have Rios hit 50 home runs than steal 50 bases. I want to win." - Servant2LordBeckham
by Servant2LordBeckham on Feb 12, 2010 8:39 PM CST up reply actions
I like AJ
I acknowledge he’s a dick, but I still like him…it’s much the same way I like Brad Miller
-Jeeves Life in the Cell
Love.
...and then some depressed fucked-cake eating.
by homesickalien on Feb 12, 2010 11:32 PM CST up reply actions
his is the only authentic jersey i have.
These events have me frightened and on the verge of evacuating my bowels.
by thatshortkid on Feb 12, 2010 11:34 PM CST up reply actions
right here
Reporter: I was wondering if at any point in my lifetime the Cubs weren't going to be run by a guy who didn't immediately remind me of failure, confusion, or imminent death
big fan
Best game I ever attended was the 163rd game in 2008. Thanks John Danks and Jim Thome.
by NorthSidePaulie on Feb 15, 2010 5:25 PM CST up reply actions
the fact that its taking so long is a good indication too
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
Frank was obviously one of my faves
We had full season tickets from the time I was in first to about fifth grade… I basically went every weekend. I loved it when Thomas came up to bat, I remember just sitting there all jacked up and anticipating something huge to happen.
Also, I’ve told this before, but my youngest sister was scared of loud noises (she was like 3 or 4 at this time) including fireworks. Everytime Frank Thomas’s name was called she would cover her ears and half cower/half play it up for everyone around.
Anyways cheering for the Sox is a family tradition passed down from generation to generation and I’m glad Frank was a part of me learning just what a Sox fan is and why we love this team so much.
by 815Sox on Feb 12, 2010 7:15 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Big Hurt night...
I’m not sure any one planned it this way, but I think that against the Yankees is a stroke of genius. The NY media will be here, and in a small way they’ll be reminded of Franks greatness. In 4 years when they cast HOF votes and write HOF columns, maybe this will help Franks cause. Any way, a truley great hitter. I never ever say any one hurt the ball like he did on the 90’s.
The thing that concerns me
is why anyone needs any further evidence of this guys body of work to make them come around to the fact that he’s a hall of famer. To me he is just about as much of a no brainer as you can get.
Kenwo4life=ratings
because there are dumb people in the world
some even think mark kotsay and andruw jones are capable of splitting dh duties
We just need to execute better - Lovie Del Negro
I just popped a boner.
My brother and I were talking about going to Cooperstown when Frank is inducted… neither of us have ever been there and i realized…. WHAT IF 2014 IS THE YEAR HAROLD GETS IN TOO! FRANK AND HAROLD! AHHHHHHHH! haha
Kenwo4life=ratings
Go to bed.
You will be not having sex for awhile. Get used to it.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
LOL.
And kid #3 would come out. Irish/Polish twins. You fertile bastard, you.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
Fuckstick Rob Neyer hearts Big Hurt, compares him to a Terminator combo
of Ted Williams and Jim Thome:
http://espn.go.com/blog/SweetSpot/post/_/id/2364/big-hurt-even-better-than-you-think
I am beginning to dig Mr. Neyer.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
if i may ask
what turned you against Neyer?
-Jeeves Life in the Cell
when you're old, everyone sucks
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
Go play with your electrical outlet, FFS.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
I always thought he wasa cocky bastard
who would diss the Sox at any turn. (Royals fan and all.) He seems to be lightening up the last couple of blogs I’ve read.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
got it
i can definitely see that. I agree that he’s lowered the level of pomp. He’s one of the only people i read on espn
-Jeeves Life in the Cell
Neyer loved Charlie Haeger
as a Sox prospect
It was then I realized vegans can’t be trusted
by Scotty Ballgame on Feb 13, 2010 1:31 AM CST up reply actions
i have a hard time taking knuckleballers seriously.
I mean, it is such a goofy pitch.
and whenever i think of knuckleballs, i think of ken griffey baseball, where the knuckleball would just float all over the goddamn place.
bird law in this country is not ruled by reason
by soxshenanigans on Feb 13, 2010 8:05 PM CST up reply actions
I have much respect for pro knuckleballers
takes a ton of technique. Only a few in the world can do it. Making major leaguers look foolish while generally staying under 80 MPH is no easy task.
by Daniel Berlyn on Feb 13, 2010 8:10 PM CST up reply actions
i'm not saying it isn't very difficult.
I just always find it goofy to watch some one like Wakefield makes hitters look foolish by throwing the same pitch over and over well under 80mph.
bird law in this country is not ruled by reason
by soxshenanigans on Feb 14, 2010 10:42 AM CST up reply actions
that was a great game.
and a solid quote for your sig. good work.
Cashing checks and having sex.
by MarketMaker on Feb 14, 2010 12:43 PM CST up reply actions
He's always been against the Sox
but I used to enjoy his work. Now all he ever does is reference a fan graph article. Just freaking lazy.
"You're lucky I'm retired"
Jack Bauer
Big Hurt >>>>>> Thomer
"Let’s plunge ourselves into the roar of time, the whirl of accident; may pain and pleasure, success and failure, shift as they will- it’s only action that can make a man" Faust, Goethe
Frank's 1994 (strike shortened season, 113 games)
.353/.487/.729
38 HR 101 RBI
I know Kenwo posted it above, but that’s amazing…
We just need to execute better - Lovie Del Negro
I've been out most of the day today ,so
I’m trying to catch up on this Damon status. SI reported around 2 today the Sox and Tigers were the two teams still in this. But if I recall the Sox were declared out of it yesterday. Anything to report beyond this?Thanks.
Jones,Kotsay,Vizquel < Thome
I consider myself blessed as a youth
I got to see the best football player ever on the Bears in Walter Payton, the best basketball player ever in Michael Jordan, and the best White Sox hitter in Frank Thomas. I am echoing the sentiments of many on here when I say that I stopped everything whenever Frank was up to bat. I thought he had the most beautiful swing as a right-handed hitter. His batter’s eye was unbelieveable. If he struck out, I felt the ump made a mistake. He was the main reason that I choose to be a Sox fan and I thank him for that.
It was then I realized vegans can’t be trusted
by Scotty Ballgame on Feb 13, 2010 1:45 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Kane, Toews, and Keith
May complete your quest eventually.
South Side Hitman... employed and on assignment.
by The Hooligan on Feb 14, 2010 8:56 PM CST up reply actions
Bouncing babies
I got to see Frank his entire career, which was a blessing. I think my favorite Hurt moment isn’t even really a ‘Hurt’ moment…
It was Big Frank hoisting Robin Ventura up on his shoulder and bouncing him like a baby after Ventura hit a grand-slam home run in the bottom of the ninth at Comiskey in ’91 to beat Texas.
South Side Hitman... employed and on assignment.
by The Hooligan on Feb 14, 2010 4:14 PM CST reply actions
Gentlemen....
Nascar is fucking terrible. Does anyone actually like that crap? my son likes hot wheels cars so I put on the race for about 10 minutes. 6 hours later the fucking thing was still on and they had to “re do” the end 3 times before they finally got a winner. what a joke! I can’t believe people actually get into that BS.
Kenwo4life=ratings
I hate nascar so fucking much
its the lamest of all sports related activites, if it is even considered a sport (it shouldnt be)
why, the only lamer thing could be posting on a baseball blog about it
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
by blackoutsox on Feb 14, 2010 10:14 PM CST up reply actions
lol i usually wouldn't give it the time of day
but i was so disgusted by it… and my wife doesn’t want to hear me bitch anymore.
Kenwo4life=ratings
i assume she put in that claim a while ago
I'd rather have Rios steal 50 bases than hit 50 home runs. I want production.
i'm guessing lightning-quick trigger finger re: ozzie.
These events have me frightened and on the verge of evacuating my bowels.
by thatshortkid on Feb 15, 2010 10:25 AM CST up reply actions
The local scribes were blasting the cheapskates.
Hadn’t repaved the track since 1978. Idiots.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
NASCAR
makes me want to punch babies in the face.
South Side Hitman... employed and on assignment.
by The Hooligan on Feb 15, 2010 9:17 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
wrecked
"I don’t know how you guys measure worth…but I do know you idiots need a graph to show you that Josh Fields sucks…"
by Where Triples Go to Die on Feb 15, 2010 10:12 PM CST up reply actions
Stuck in the same boat
My son is all about Hot Wheels and I accidently let the clicker stay on the Speed channel too long. Now he knows where it is and requests it. It is the most inane thing I have ever tried to watch and that’s saying something because my wife is all about formula-written romance comedies.
The Cubs are not a baseball team. They are a baseball-themed marketing company that hosts frat parties for post grads and tourists.
Focus on the positive -
he’s not gay. Just without brains.
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
One the best and most-feared hitters of his generation, one of the greatest hitters of all time.
He made Twins games entertaining in the late 90’s.
Au revoir, Frank.
gotta rec Frank.
335th comment thank you very much!
"I don’t know how you guys measure worth…but I do know you idiots need a graph to show you that Josh Fields sucks…"
by Where Triples Go to Die on Feb 15, 2010 10:11 PM CST reply actions
nice post kenwo
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
White Sox news, Minor Leagues updates and more
Not sure if this was posted:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=10078
I couldn’t figure it out yesterday, but it came to me at 4am. Then I understood the FOGhat, laughed so hard I farted, and went back to bed.
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