The newest inductee into the JerkishBehavior Hall of Fame is one of the best first baseman in the baseball history and my favorite player of all time, Frank “The Big Hurt” Thomas. Frank Thomas was one of the best players in baseball during the 90’s and one of the best hitting first basemen ever because he hit for power, average, and was a clutch-hitter. Frank Thomas had one of the best eyes in the game and was a base on balls (that’s a walk) waiting to happen because he had ridiculous patience to wait for the perfect pitch he wanted to hit. Frank Thomas got the nickname “The Big Hurt” from legendary White Sox announcer Ken Harrelson for his menacing home run power and for striking fear in the competition by swinging a rusted iron pipe in the on-deck circle, who does that? Frank Thomas is a member of the infamous 500 home run club and he also has a home run derby crown that means he hits home runs for fun, its nothing. Frank Thomas was always one of the league leaders in hitting and was one of the rare breeds that won batting titles while being one of the league’s top home run hitters. Frank Thomas won four Silver Slugger awards (The best offensive player at each position) and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting 7 years straight while winning two of them. Frank Thomas was a force to be reckoned with and all he ever wanted was to be respected by his peers while being considered one of the best to do it.
Frank Thomas played mainly for my hometown Southside Chicago White Sox and he is the main reason why I became a huge White Sox fan in the 1st place. I used to watch White Sox games exclusively just to see “The Big Hurt” hit because he was always one swing away from knocking out the park and I couldn’t wait for the announcers to call him by his other nickname “Curtis Maximus” for when he would ferociously hit the ball out of the park and for them to then say the infamous “You can put in on the board, YESSSSSSS!” If Frank Thomas had the day off, I would be hella upset and disappointed and not even watch the game. However, I would always turn back to the game towards the late innings because he could always come in as a pinch-hitter and hit a clutch home run to give the White Sox a late inning victory. I would always root heavily for Frank to win the home run, batting average, runs batted in, and walks title every year. Frank Thomas usually didn’t disappoint because he was always in the top 5 in all those categories and came close to winning the elusive “Triple Crown” (to be the league leader in 3 major statistical categories at the end of the year) but the strike ruined that greatness. Frank Thomas did win back-to-back MVP awards that solidified his spot as one of the best in baseball and in the history books. Frank Thomas carried the franchise on his back for many years and I was so disappointed when Frank couldn’t play (injury) during the 2005 White Sox’s championship run that led to a World Series title because he deserved the recognition of greatness. Nevertheless, he is the greatest player ever in Chicago White Sox history with 9 franchise records and that’s why the newest inductee into the JerkishBehavior Hall of Fame is Frank “The Big Hurt” Thomas.
5 JerkishBehavior Moments
1. In 1993-4, Frank Thomas back-to-back American League MVP awards while almost winning the “Triple Crown” to go with his second one. Frank Thomas is one of only two first basemen ever to win in consecutive seasons (Jimmie Foxx in 1932-3 is the other).
2. Frank Thomas is the only player in history to have 7 consecutive seasons of a .300 batting average, at least 100 walks, runs batted in, runs, and atleast 20 home runs.
3. As a member of the Oakland A’s and his first game back as an opponent of the White Sox, Frank Thomas received a video montage of legacy with the White Sox then proceeded to hit two home runs and received a standing ovation from the fans, WOW, who does that?
4. Frank Thomas is a member of the legendary 500 home run club and he was the first player ever to win two Silver Slugger award at two different positions (first base and designated hitter).
5. Frank Thomas who was still an active player on the team threw out the ceremonial first pitch during Game 1 of the White Sox’s 2005 Divisional playoff series, JERK!!!
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