Frank Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frank Thomas |
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| First baseman / designated hitter | |||
| Born: May 27, 1968 Columbus, Georgia |
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| debut | |||
| August 2, 1990, for the Chicago White Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| August 29, 2008, for the Oakland Athletics | |||
| Career statistics | |||
| Batting average | .301 | ||
| Hits | 2,468 | ||
| Home runs | 521 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,704 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 2014 | ||
| Vote | 83.7% (first ballot) | ||
Frank Thomas (born May 27, 1968) is a famous former American Major League Baseball player. He spent most of his amazing career playing for the Chicago White Sox. He was known for being a powerful hitter. Near the end of his time in baseball, he also played for the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays. Frank Thomas hit his 500th career home run on June 28, 2007. He was only the 21st player in baseball history to reach this incredible milestone! In 2014, he was chosen to be part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which is a huge honor for baseball players.
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Early Life and Baseball Start
Frank Thomas was born in Columbus, Georgia. He grew up loving sports. He was very good at both baseball and football. When he was older, he decided to focus on baseball. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1989. This meant they chose him to play for their team. He made his big league debut on August 2, 1990.
Playing Career Highlights
Frank Thomas played for the Chicago White Sox for 16 years. He was a first baseman and a designated hitter. A designated hitter is a player who only bats and does not play a defensive position. He was known for his strong hitting. He had a career batting average of .301. This means he got a hit about 30% of the times he tried to hit the ball. He also hit 521 home runs and had 1,704 runs batted in (RBIs). An RBI means he helped a teammate score a run.
Amazing Awards and Achievements
Frank Thomas won many awards during his career. These awards show how great he was at baseball:
- All-Star: He was chosen to be an All-Star five times (1993–1997). This means he was one of the best players in the league.
- Silver Slugger Award: He won this award four times (1991, 1993, 1994, 2000). This award goes to the best offensive player at each position.
- AL MVP: He was named the American League Most Valuable Player twice (1993, 1994). This is a very big award for the best player in the league.
- AL Batting Champion: In 1997, he had the highest batting average in the American League.
- Home Run Derby Champion: He won the Home Run Derby in 1995. This is a fun contest where players try to hit as many home runs as they can.
- Comeback Player of the Year: In 2000, he won this award. It means he had a great season after facing challenges.
Reaching 500 Home Runs
One of Frank Thomas's most memorable moments was hitting his 500th career home run. This happened on June 28, 2007. It was a huge achievement. Only a small number of players in baseball history have ever reached 500 home runs. He was the 21st player to do it.
Hall of Fame Induction
After his playing career, Frank Thomas was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. This is the highest honor a baseball player can receive. Players are chosen based on their amazing careers. He was elected on his very first try, which is called a "first ballot" induction. This shows how respected he was in the baseball world. His number, 35, was also retired by the Chicago White Sox. This means no other White Sox player will ever wear that number again. It's a special way to honor his legacy.
See also
In Spanish: Frank Thomas (beisbolista nacido en 1968) para niños
