Frank Thomas Retirement
by Predictem.com Staff
We here at Predictem.com don’t usually write articles revolving around the retirement of MLB players, much less any other sport, HOWEVER, when we heard that Frank Thomas retired and there were reporters raising a stink about whether he’ll ever get voted into the Hall of Fame or not because he spent most of his career as a designated hitter (DH), we had to put in our two cents and question the intellect of those reporting the story.
Let’s take a look at the intagibles first:
1. During the period of 1990 to the year 2000, there were VERY few hitters that stood inside the right hand side of the batters box that were more feared than “the big hurt”. Correct me if I’m wrong! At 6’5″ and 275 lbs, big Frank was not only an intimidating presence from a physical standpoint, but he could flat out MASH and if you didn’t throw the ball over the dish, he’d gladly take a walk.
2. As noted previously, dude had NO problem accepting a walk. He exits the game with a total of 1667 free passes, 168 of those which were achieved via the intentional base on balls (IBB). In 1991, he was served up and extroardinary 138 walks which is more hits than most major leaguers achieve in a season. In 1995, he was given 29 intentional walks.
3. He could flat out reach base. In only his first season (1990) he achieved a .454 on base percentage. He also enjoyed .454, .456, .459 and .a whopping .487 OBP in a handful of his other top years while in the game.
4. He could flat out hit! He hit over .300 for the first eight years in his career and he ended with a career batting average of .301.
5. He was clutch. He knocked in over 100 RBI’s 11 times.
6. He was respected. He was a 5 time all star and was in the race for MVP voting a number of times.
7. He hit BOMBS. His home runs were often times tape measure shots. He hit 521 of them to be exact. There’s not many hitters that have over 500 round trippers that don’t make the HOF.
8. He loved the game. While most people are quick to point out the negative on a player for “staying in the game too long” it should be known that he fought injury issues yet STILL had the heart to play the in the game he loved so much. Sure, he didn’t play in 100 games for 5 out of his last 7 years, but you gotta admire the heart on that guy. He sure as hell didn’t do it for the money.
It’d be a shame if the Big Hurt didn’t make the Hall of Fame because he spent most of his career as a DH. It’s SAD that the sackless media has to focus on such a negative thought.
The correct way of thinking and on the issue is to take notice of what this guy did at the dish and did for a long time. I bet 90% of all MLB players would trade their stats/career to have accomplished the career that Frank Thomas had.
Congrats on your GREAT career Hurt, it was a pleasure watching you play and regardless of what the naysayers put in print, there’s a ton of retired pitchers out there that you wore out that are shaking their heads when anybody questions your ability and whether you belong in Cooperstown.
To voice your opinion on whether you think Frank Thomas belongs in the Hall of Fame or not, feel free to post your thoughts here: Does Frank Thomas Belong in the Hall of Fame?.
