Frank Thomas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frank Thomas
Thomas with the Chicago White Sox in 1997
Designated hitter / First baseman
Born: (1968-05-27) May 27, 1968 (age 57) Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
August 2, 1990, for the Chicago White Sox
Last appearance
August 29, 2008, for the Oakland Athletics
MLB statistics
Batting average	.301
Hits	2,468
Home runs	521
Runs batted in	1,704
Teams
Chicago White Sox (1990–2005) Oakland Athletics (2006) Toronto Blue Jays (2007–2008) Oakland Athletics (2008)
Career highlights and awards
5× All-Star (1993–1997) 2× AL MVP (1993, 1994) 4× Silver Slugger Award (1991, 1993, 1994, 2000) AL batting champion (1997) Chicago White Sox No. 35 retired
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	2014
Vote	83.7% (first ballot)

Frank Edward Thomas Jr. (born May 27, 1968), known by his powerful nickname "the Big Hurt," is a famous American former baseball player. He played as a designated hitter and first baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1990 to 2008. He is best known for his time with the Chicago White Sox.

Thomas was a five-time All-Star and is famous for an amazing record. For seven straight seasons (1991–1997), he had a .300 batting average, 100 runs batted in (RBIs), 100 runs scored, 100 walks, and 20 home runs. No other player in history has done this. He also won the American League (AL) MVP award twice. Many people consider him one of the best right-handed hitters ever.

In 2014, Thomas was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first try. This was a huge honor that showed how much people respected his career. He was also known for playing fair and was a strong supporter of drug testing in baseball.

Early Life and College

Frank Thomas was born in Columbus, Georgia. He was a star athlete at Columbus High School, playing both football and baseball. In his senior year, he had a .440 batting average in baseball and was an All-State tight end in football. Even though he was a great player, he was not picked in the 1986 baseball draft, which made him sad but also more determined.

Thomas went to Auburn University on a football scholarship. But his love for baseball led him to join the school's baseball team. He was a fantastic hitter, and baseball soon became his main sport. He set a school record with 49 career home runs. In 2011, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

Professional Career

Chicago White Sox (1990–2005)

A Star is Born

The Chicago White Sox picked Thomas in the 1989 MLB draft. He made his debut on August 2, 1990. He quickly became known for his powerful hitting. In his first full season in 1991, he hit .318 with 32 home runs and 109 RBIs.

In 1993, Thomas had an incredible season. He hit .317 with 41 home runs and 128 RBIs. He was unanimously voted the AL Most Valuable Player (MVP). He was the first White Sox player to win the award since 1972. His manager, Gene Lamont, said, "I'm convinced that there isn't a pitch he can't hit."

The next year, in a season shortened by a players' strike, he won the MVP award again. He hit .353 with 38 home runs. He is one of only three first basemen to win back-to-back MVP awards.

Later Years with the White Sox

Frank Thomas throws the first pitch at a 2005 playoff game for the White Sox.

Thomas continued to be one of the best hitters in baseball. From 1991 to 1997, he finished in the top 10 for the MVP award every single year. In 2000, he had a great comeback season, hitting .328 with a career-high 43 home runs and 143 RBIs. He finished second in the MVP vote that year.

Injuries started to affect him in the early 2000s. In 2001, he had a season-ending arm injury. He returned in 2002 but his batting average was lower. Still, he could hit for power and had 28 home runs.

In 2005, the White Sox won the World Series. Thomas was injured and couldn't play in the postseason. However, the team honored him by asking him to throw the first pitch at a playoff game. He received a World Series ring for his role on the team that season.

Leaving Chicago

After 16 seasons, the White Sox decided not to bring Thomas back in 2005. Thomas was disappointed with how the team handled his departure. He had set many team records, including most home runs (448), RBIs (1,465), and runs (1,327).

Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays

Frank Thomas hitting for the Oakland Athletics in 2006.

In 2006, Thomas signed with the Oakland Athletics. He had a fantastic comeback season, hitting 39 home runs and helping the A's make the playoffs. He even hit two home runs in his first game back in Chicago against the White Sox, where the fans gave him a standing ovation.

On June 28, 2007, while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, Thomas hit his 500th career home run. He became only the 21st player in MLB history to reach this milestone. He hit it off pitcher Carlos Silva of the Minnesota Twins.

After a short second run with Oakland in 2008, Thomas did not play in 2009.

Retirement with the White Sox

Frank Thomas's number 35 was retired by the Chicago White Sox in 2010.

On February 12, 2010, Frank Thomas signed a special one-day contract with the Chicago White Sox so he could retire as a member of the team. The White Sox announced they would retire his jersey number, 35. On "Frank Thomas Day," August 29, 2010, his number was officially retired.

Career Achievements

A banner at the Rogers Centre in Toronto showing Thomas's home run total.

Frank Thomas had a career full of amazing accomplishments.

• 5-time All-Star (1993–1997)
• 4-time Silver Slugger Award winner
• Hit 521 career home runs, which is 21st all-time.
• Retired with a .301 career batting average. He is one of only a few players with over 500 home runs and a .300 average.
• First player to win two Silver Slugger Awards at two different positions (first base and designated hitter).
• Won back-to-back MVP awards in 1993 and 1994.
• The White Sox retired his number 35 jersey in 2010.

Life After Baseball

Frank Thomas on the day the White Sox retired his number in 2010.

Honors and Media

In 2011, the White Sox unveiled a life-size bronze statue of Thomas at their ballpark. In 2014, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Thomas has appeared in movies and on TV. He was in the 1992 movie Mr. Baseball and had a video game named after him, Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball. After retiring, he became a baseball analyst for Fox Sports and other networks.

Business Ventures

Thomas has been involved in several businesses. He started a record label and a beer brand called Big Hurt Beer. In 2021, he became the main owner of the company that runs the famous Field of Dreams movie site in Iowa.

Images for kids

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  Frank Thomas posing with Angelo Dundee, a famous boxing trainer.

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  Frank Thomas getting a hit during Spring training in Dunedin, Florida.

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  Frank Thomas with fellow Hall of Famer John Smoltz before the 2015 World Series.

See also

In Spanish: Frank Thomas (beisbolista nacido en 1968) para niños