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Frank Thomas (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter TitusIII
- Start date
Koya
Footballguy
When I heard about Frank Thomas' two homers today, first thing I thought of was this thread and how it escaped my conciousness. After waffling on the issue when the thread came out, I concluded that Thomas definately deserves a trip to the Hall, and today's effort just magnified that all the more (though today shouldnt have much bearing, but was a nice reminder).
The media wants players that make their job easier. If you are not accessible in interviews, or rub them the wrong way, or don't give good quotes, the media will tear you apart hoping to get rid of you. The media will claim you are ignoring the fans because you aren't giving easy interviews. They will try to turn the fans against you. All in the hopes that you are replaced with someone that is easy to get a quick quote and write up their articles fast so they can go home all the sooner.
GRIDIRON ASSASSIN
Footballguy
If Frank can lead the A's to a World Series Championship (and continue to hit 500 HRs for his career), he'll be a 1st ballot HOFer.
If he can't achieve either, it's gonna be a struggle. Unfortunately (guilty or innocent) Frank is playing in the roids/HGH era.
And I'm a fan of the Big Hurt!
If he can't achieve either, it's gonna be a struggle. Unfortunately (guilty or innocent) Frank is playing in the roids/HGH era.
And I'm a fan of the Big Hurt!
Assani Fisher
Footballguy
totally agreed with Capella here. Usually I'm on the side of "no, if its close", but Frank Thomas was one of the top 3 players in baseball for a number of years. He should be a first ballot HOFer easily imo.
Assani Fisher
Footballguy
seriously...is there any 2 time MVP in any sport to not be in the HOF?Without a doubt. First ballot all the way. Anyone that says otherwise doesn't have a clue. A clean power hitter in the age of steroids hitting over .300 for his career, not to mention his individual accolades (including back-to-back MVPs), and on the brink of a "natural" 500 HRs. Will also finish high on the all-time list for runs and RBIs and has one of the best "eyes" in baseball (look at his walk totals).All hail Future HOFer Big Hurt!
Yankee23Fan
Fair Tax!
Mr. Thomas joined my team late in the season when Hafner got hurt and I needed another power bat to guide me through the playoffs.
I won the title. Didn't need the two homers today. Love the guy. Hope he gets in.
I won the title. Didn't need the two homers today. Love the guy. Hope he gets in.
Assani Fisher
Footballguy
think about this for a second, people.
Yankee23Fan
Fair Tax!
Juan Gonzalezseriously...is there any 2 time MVP in any sport to not be in the HOF?Without a doubt. First ballot all the way. Anyone that says otherwise doesn't have a clue. A clean power hitter in the age of steroids hitting over .300 for his career, not to mention his individual accolades (including back-to-back MVPs), and on the brink of a "natural" 500 HRs. Will also finish high on the all-time list for runs and RBIs and has one of the best "eyes" in baseball (look at his walk totals).All hail Future HOFer Big Hurt!
Assani Fisher
Footballguy
is he eligible yet?Juan Gonzalezseriously...is there any 2 time MVP in any sport to not be in the HOF?Without a doubt. First ballot all the way. Anyone that says otherwise doesn't have a clue. A clean power hitter in the age of steroids hitting over .300 for his career, not to mention his individual accolades (including back-to-back MVPs), and on the brink of a "natural" 500 HRs. Will also finish high on the all-time list for runs and RBIs and has one of the best "eyes" in baseball (look at his walk totals).All hail Future HOFer Big Hurt!
Yankee23Fan
Fair Tax!
is he eligible yet?Juan Gonzalezseriously...is there any 2 time MVP in any sport to not be in the HOF?Without a doubt. First ballot all the way. Anyone that says otherwise doesn't have a clue. A clean power hitter in the age of steroids hitting over .300 for his career, not to mention his individual accolades (including back-to-back MVPs), and on the brink of a "natural" 500 HRs. Will also finish high on the all-time list for runs and RBIs and has one of the best "eyes" in baseball (look at his walk totals).All hail Future HOFer Big Hurt!
I wouldn't vote for him, though.BrentBlack
Footballguy
No, he played in a game last season.He's likely not an HOF'er anyways. Thomas on the other hand is a 1st ballot lock.is he eligible yet?Juan Gonzalezseriously...is there any 2 time MVP in any sport to not be in the HOF?Without a doubt. First ballot all the way. Anyone that says otherwise doesn't have a clue. A clean power hitter in the age of steroids hitting over .300 for his career, not to mention his individual accolades (including back-to-back MVPs), and on the brink of a "natural" 500 HRs. Will also finish high on the all-time list for runs and RBIs and has one of the best "eyes" in baseball (look at his walk totals).All hail Future HOFer Big Hurt!
Hunterbeer
Footballguy
Dale Murphy -- who has been eligible for many years.Juan Gonzalezseriously...is there any 2 time MVP in any sport to not be in the HOF?Without a doubt. First ballot all the way. Anyone that says otherwise doesn't have a clue. A clean power hitter in the age of steroids hitting over .300 for his career, not to mention his individual accolades (including back-to-back MVPs), and on the brink of a "natural" 500 HRs. Will also finish high on the all-time list for runs and RBIs and has one of the best "eyes" in baseball (look at his walk totals).All hail Future HOFer Big Hurt!
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
I used to hear people say that he would have been a great NFL tight end, since he played college football at Auburn. He was just voted THE slowest runner in MLB. Yeah, he's 38, but it's not like he just got slow this year.
A guy with his lack of speed could never have been a good TE, right?
A guy with his lack of speed could never have been a good TE, right?
doctor Gunks
Footballguy
Utter nonsense. He was completely deserving of the HOF before ALDS Game 1. Artificial benchmarks like "world championship" or even "500 HR" are inane.
BoulderBob
Footballguy
The only pro with big enough balls to talk to Mitchell...respect...
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
He would get my vote - as devastating a hitter as there was in baseball at his peak, and his peak lasted a long time.
Tau837
Footballguy
Roger Maris is another.---Yes, Thomas is a lock.Dale Murphy -- who has been eligible for many years.Juan Gonzalezseriously...is there any 2 time MVP in any sport to not be in the HOF?Without a doubt. First ballot all the way. Anyone that says otherwise doesn't have a clue. A clean power hitter in the age of steroids hitting over .300 for his career, not to mention his individual accolades (including back-to-back MVPs), and on the brink of a "natural" 500 HRs. Will also finish high on the all-time list for runs and RBIs and has one of the best "eyes" in baseball (look at his walk totals).All hail Future HOFer Big Hurt!
TitusIII
Footballguy
Tim McCarver(who I thought had a clue) said he wouldn't vote Thomas in the HOF because he was a DH for half of his career. I'm baffled, and I hope knuckle-draggers like McCarver don't have a vote. Does he remember how intimidating Thomas was in the 90's? Think Pujols...not quite on Pujols' uber-elite level, but close...
EDIT: Thomas effectively called it quits today, and is taking a job with the White Sox as a part-time commentator.
EDIT: Thomas effectively called it quits today, and is taking a job with the White Sox as a part-time commentator.
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boubucarow
Footballguy
As a Cubs fan that never took anything more than a passing interest into what was happening on the South Side, I would keep an eye on Sox games in the 90's to make sure I got to watch Frank Thomas bat. Only Barry Bonds has reached Thomas' level of control over the game at the plate since. Pujols is scary to Cubs fans, but Thomas was better.
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
Given the fact he has not been mentioned in steroids discussions, I think he's got a very good chance to get in on the first ballot.
Limp Ditka
Footballguy
How he's avoided this is beyond me.Personally, no matter how loud he screams that he didn't, I think he juiced.
TitusIII
Footballguy
Seriously? Do you remember what Frank Thomas did in the 1990's? He was the most intimidating hitter in the game, and he did play in the field during that decade. Thomas was outspoken against PED's when nobody else was, get out of here with that crap...guy was a monster at age 15.99% of current/past GM's take a prime Thomas over Trammell without having to think for more than a second. It 'aint close...
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urbanhack
Fight The Power!
No.
TitusIII
Footballguy
Don't get me wrong, Trammell was a stud, and deserves consideration for the HOF due to his all-around game, but his offensive numbers(185 HR, .285 AVG, .352 OBP) simply do not compare to Thomas'(521 HR, .301, .419). In the end, both probably will have a space in Cooperstown, but time will tell.
Thomas wasn't great with the glove, but his lack of an arm was the main problem, and I wouldn't call him a liability, as he fielded pretty much everything that was hit at him. It was funny watching him attempt to turn the DP, but a football injury will do that. I always laughed at how strong his arm was in video games, when in fact 95% of footballguys probably have a better arm.
I know the roiders make his 1992-2000 numbers seem mortal, but at the time they were considered about as good as a hitter can get.
Sorry for the rant, it just amazes me that a supposed baseball mind(McCarver) can simply brush off the Big Hurt. Guy was a beast, and he and Griffey Jr. should be the one's that go down as the great hitters from the 1990's.
Thomas wasn't great with the glove, but his lack of an arm was the main problem, and I wouldn't call him a liability, as he fielded pretty much everything that was hit at him. It was funny watching him attempt to turn the DP, but a football injury will do that. I always laughed at how strong his arm was in video games, when in fact 95% of footballguys probably have a better arm.
I know the roiders make his 1992-2000 numbers seem mortal, but at the time they were considered about as good as a hitter can get.
Sorry for the rant, it just amazes me that a supposed baseball mind(McCarver) can simply brush off the Big Hurt. Guy was a beast, and he and Griffey Jr. should be the one's that go down as the great hitters from the 1990's.
Oh Yes!
Footballguy
well put
the moops
Footballguy
TitusIII
Footballguy
Frank Thomas officially retired today. For many of us in the in the 25-30 age group, Frank Thomas was one of our first baseball heroes/villains/dominant forces/etc that comes to mind when we think back to our youth. His seven year stretch from '91 to '98 was on par with the greatest individual seasons the game has ever seen, and it's no shock that the only players with comparable stretches of elite play were, at that time(Pujols and Bonds entered that area soon after)Teddy Ballgame and Babe Ruth. He won two MVP awards, was robbed of a third, and finished 4th in the voting two years ago at the ripe old age of 39.
Many idiots(sorry, if you try and hold this against him, this is what you are, imo, of course) will point out that he played half of his games as a DH, and thus isn't as deserving as some lesser players...I say BS. Some may say his attitude was a turn-off and he pissed off a few media members. He certainly did, but most remember how nice/generous he was during his first four or five years and while that doesn't make up for being an ###, it shouldn't be held against him when it comes to his legacy an an all-time great, and a FIRST BALLOT HALL OF FAMER!
Congrats to the Big Hurt, what a career, I now feel old....
Many idiots(sorry, if you try and hold this against him, this is what you are, imo, of course) will point out that he played half of his games as a DH, and thus isn't as deserving as some lesser players...I say BS. Some may say his attitude was a turn-off and he pissed off a few media members. He certainly did, but most remember how nice/generous he was during his first four or five years and while that doesn't make up for being an ###, it shouldn't be held against him when it comes to his legacy an an all-time great, and a FIRST BALLOT HALL OF FAMER!
Congrats to the Big Hurt, what a career, I now feel old....
DreadedParms
Footballguy
I think he's a first ballot HOFer, but Randy Johnson probably is more of a lock.
Eephus
Footballguy
No players from the steroid era are able to completely escape suspicion. In spite of guys like Clemens and Jason Grimsley, there's more questioning around hitters than pitchers. Because of this, I think guys like Maddux, Johnson and Pedro will probably get higher first ballot percentages than any recent hitters.Don't take this as me questioning his credentials but some voters might not be impressed by Thomas' lack of eye-catching career milestones (3000 hits, 600 HRs, 2000 RBI), his DH status and infrequency of All-Star game appearances.
Oh Yes!
Footballguy
this shouldnt matter at all, but somehow will...
amphibianbri
Footballguy
All Star game appearances are about as good of a measurement as Pro Bowl appearances. THere were years that Thomas was a beast and lost out to the usual "necessary" roster spots:
2000 - 43 HR, 143 RBI, not an All Star (instead FRed McGriff and Mike Sweeney were on) - should have been MVP for 3rd time if not for roider Giambi
2003 - 42 HR 105 RBI, not an All Star (again lost out to Giambi and Sweeney)
2006 - had the stats but so did the couple of Sox taken ahead of him.
So even if just adding the other 2, 7 time all star, should have been 3 time MVP, and look at the OPS, OBP, and runs created numbers and this isn't even a discussion. UNfortunately for the dopes that have votes, he may not go first ballot, but he'll get there. BTW, unless Thomas was on roids before he ever hit college (check out his minor league and even college baseball cards.....he wasn't scrawny like Sosa, McGwire, and Bonds....he was huge from the very beginning), he looks to be as clean as they come. Congrats hall of famer to be
2000 - 43 HR, 143 RBI, not an All Star (instead FRed McGriff and Mike Sweeney were on) - should have been MVP for 3rd time if not for roider Giambi
2003 - 42 HR 105 RBI, not an All Star (again lost out to Giambi and Sweeney)
2006 - had the stats but so did the couple of Sox taken ahead of him.
So even if just adding the other 2, 7 time all star, should have been 3 time MVP, and look at the OPS, OBP, and runs created numbers and this isn't even a discussion. UNfortunately for the dopes that have votes, he may not go first ballot, but he'll get there. BTW, unless Thomas was on roids before he ever hit college (check out his minor league and even college baseball cards.....he wasn't scrawny like Sosa, McGwire, and Bonds....he was huge from the very beginning), he looks to be as clean as they come. Congrats hall of famer to be
Bluesbomber
Footballguy
Frank Thomas actually spoke up FOR testing for roids., I feel the roid era hurt him the most since the focus was on Soso and MacCheese and not the best hitter of his era. Bonds was a bit of both so who knows what type of production he would have had without roids.
When I was in high school in the 70's Sports Illustrated did an article on how roids were prelavent in High School sports so anyone who is acting like they were not around big time sports is lying. Anyone who is sayint they didn't know they were around is lying as well IMO.
Should be first time ballot but I would guess he won't be. Hope I am wrong.
When I was in high school in the 70's Sports Illustrated did an article on how roids were prelavent in High School sports so anyone who is acting like they were not around big time sports is lying. Anyone who is sayint they didn't know they were around is lying as well IMO.
Should be first time ballot but I would guess he won't be. Hope I am wrong.
Please See Mine
Footballguy
Are players eligible 5 years after their official retirement or 5 years after they stop playing?
Assuming that it is the former, we will have Thomas, Johnson, Glavine and possibly Smoltz all up at the same time. Should be interesting.
Assuming that it is the former, we will have Thomas, Johnson, Glavine and possibly Smoltz all up at the same time. Should be interesting.
