Frank Climbs Up The Ladder
From The Little Leagues To The Hall Of Fame


1978 (approx)
Peach Little League Lions,
Columbus, Georgia
Just startin' out.

 




 



 

 


1983-1986
Columbus High School,
The Blue Devils
Georgia
A triple threat in high school - Frank excels in three sports: Baseball, Football, and Basketball. As a sophmore he bats clean-up, helping lead The Blue Devils to the 1984 Georgia State Baseball Championship! (Class AAAA).

Declaring himself open to the MLB Amateur Draft, he's passed over and not picked once in 60 rounds of selection. An error in accepting a formal offer to play football at Auburn University eliminated his chance. Frank is quoted as saying, "I'd have signed for $5,000, that's how bad I wanted to play." This disappointment is the first among many that will fuel his desire to succeed at every level on his climb toward Cooperstown.

Signs of his early civic commitment shines through as he becomes a member of Columbus High's Jr. Civitan Club - a volunteer group dedicated to helping the local community.


1987-89
Auburn University Tigers
Given a full scholarship to play AU football. But, after nearly losing his right knee during gridiron practice, Frank focuses his energy and skills toward baseball in his sophmore year and never looks back.

He'll be drafted in the first round of the 1989 Draft. The Chicago White Sox's 1st Pick - seventh overall among all amateur players. He is almost drafted by the Atlanta Braves (who had second overall choice) but is downgraded just prior to draft day because of poor scouting. The White Sox are criticized by Chicago fans when they hear 'Frank Thomas, Auburn University' at the podium.

 

 

 


1987
Pan American Games
Frank's first selection to The SEC 1st Team brings him to the attention of Team USA and the upcoming Pan-American Games. This should have been his ticket to the Olympic Games in 1988 (S.Korea), but Frank will be snubbed as he is placed on the alternates list, due in part to the coaching staff questioning his commitment to the team. (Frank was forced to split his time between Team USA Baseball and The AU Football Program - who was responsible for his scholarship) It's a pain that he won't soon forget.

The Big Hurt will be denied his rightful place in history because of political b.s. (and I'm not talking a 'bachelor of science' degree in politics, even though you need one today to deal with the crap from team GMs and owners)

 


1988
Cape Cod Orleans Cardinals
(NCAA Summer League)
He'll be playing with other young guns like Jeff Bagwell in the NCAA Cape Cod League.

In a strange twist of fate - Frank and Jeff (who were born on the exact same day, May 28, 1968) will be compared to one another for the rest of their major league careers.

Frank is declared 1989's Most Valuable Player of The Southeastern Conference! (SEC)


1989
Sarasota White Sox
(Class A)
His second professional stint in the minors. Frank was originally posted with the Gulf Coast White Sox (Class R) but his overpowering skills forced management to bump him immediately up to Single A Ball - The Sarasota Sox. He played exactly 17 games with the Gulf Coasters before being promoted. Seventeen!

Folks are starting to notice that his college bat wasn't due to the aluminum - he's the real deal - a pure hitter with tremendous power.

 


1989-90
Birmingham Barons
(Class AA)
He's almost there.
Frank's about to make it to "The Bigs" during the 1990 late season Call-Up of rookies.

Proving that the White Sox did not make an error, Frank will eventually be awarded with one of the highest honors given in the minor leagues: Baseball America's Minor League Player Of The Year Award (1990).

The Atlanta Braves realize they've made a big mistake.

1990
Chicago White Sox
He's made it!

Yet another quirk spoils Frank's arrival to The Show. Due to a mathematical calculation - Frank is denied winning the 1990 AL Rookie Of The Year, despite being the most dominant rookie playing that year.

UPDATE (7/2/06): I just won the actual line-up card for the August 2, 1990 game between the ChiSox and Milwaukee Brewers - Frank's very first day in the Bigs.
Click here to check it out.

1990-2005
Chicago White Sox
It's going to be a career of extreme highs and unbelieveable lows - but Frank will finish with the Chicago White Sox as the team's All-Time Leader in nearly every offensive category.

Frank will be remembered as one of the best athletes to have ever called The Windy City 'home'.

And the current mouthpiece of the CWS - in ten years - who's gonna to remember that idiot? When Frank is enshrined in Cooperstown, ain't no-one gonna remember Reinsdork's Mouthpiece.
X
2005 - Crossroads
Frank and the Chisox part ways.

Disrepectful of one of the genuine Greats of The Game - Frank is tossed aside by the team owner and his mouthpiece, both way too high on a World Series win to take the long view. Result: The White Sox finish third in their division the next season and do not even make the playoffs.
The Curse is on.

2006
A Season Of Rebirth
Oakland fans welcome The Big Hurt to The Bay.

Finally settling the issue whether he had played out his value both as a player and teammate - Big Frank busts out of the cold chill of Illinois and is welcomed by the warmth of California to a Comeback Player caliber year.

Within one season Frank sets new club records for most Home Runs by a DH, most consecutive Home Runs by any A's player (even passing Reggie Jackson's record), and becomes the acknowledged veteran club leader who nearly drives his team to the '06 World Series.
X

A Fond Farewell - Frank Looks To His Final Curtain Call
Despite the many new-found friends and fans he's found, Frank looks past his playing days and toward the final contract which will have to last him for the rest of his life. Budget-conscious Oakland decides not to match the offer by the Jays of Toronto and will give another veteran the chance to rebuild his career there.

Unlike his departure from the Windy City, Big Frank will always be a welcome guest to the Bay City.

2007
Toronto Blue Jays
Frank knocks his 500th Home Run, June 28, 2007, even the Twins organization stops to congratulate The Big Hurt.

Frank becomes the 17th Member of The 500 Home Run Club and punches his ticket to Cooperstown.
Image courtesy ESPN.com

2008
A Return to Green & Gold!
Home again. Dang that cold weather.

Note to self: Gotta stay away from cold places. <g>
Image courtesy Associated Press/Ben Margot
 

September 30, 2009
Final Game
Holding back tears, his bittersweet farewell game is stopped for nearly half-an-hour as the cheering crowd continually interrupts the official ceremony.

2014
Cooperstown, NY
'The Call To The Hall'
Finally recognized for his accomplishments - Frank enters Cooperstown as a lifetime .300 hitter with 541 Home Runs, 2 AL MVP Awards (back-to-back), The White Sox all-time leader in nearly every major offensive category, and team franchise player for both The Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays. Frank acknowledges his entry by thanking his many teammates and coaches for their years of support. Mentor Walter Hriniak smiles from the crowd as yet another of his protegés takes The Stage.

Frank's most heart-felt appreciation goes out to his family. His children, his parents - Frank Sr. and Charlie Mae; his big brother Michael, his sisters; and especially his little sister Pamela - whose loving memory has guided and encouraged him to this most honored place in Baseball.

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