‘Big Hurt’ Calls it Quits; Awaits the Hall

Frank Thomas announced his retirement on Thursday in Chicago where he spent most of his amazing career.  Opposing pitcher feared Thomas throughout the 90s.  Frank put up some amazing numbers from 1991 through 1998.  Every year he had over 100 hits, 100 RBI, and 100 walks, all while hitting over .300 (except for 1998).  In the same time period he hit 32, 24, 41, 38, 40, 40, 35, and 29 home runs respectively.  Thomas ends his career with 521 homeruns which ties him for 18th all-time.  He is one of only three guys to be named MVP in back-to-back seasons which he did in 1993-1994 (Jimmie Foxx and Albert Pujols).  He hold 12 different records for the White Sox organization, including home runs (448), walks (1,466), runs scored (1,327) and RBI (1,465).  The White Sox have announced they will retire Frank Thomas’ number 35.  There is no doubt Thomas will be a HOFer, the only question is ‘will the writers play games or elect him on the first ballot which he deserves?’

Red Sox All-Time 9

MLB.com is letting fans vote for their all-time 9 based on one year’s performance, not overall career. For the most part, this is pretty easy. You have probably the 5 guys that you associate with the name Red Sox with Jimmie Foxx at first base, Carlton Fisk at catcher, Wade Boggs at third, and Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski in the outfield. That leaves shortstop, which unfortunately hasn’t historically been a strong suit for the Sox. Although Johnny Pesky gave him a run for the spot, I went with Nomar Garciaparra for his 2000 numbers. At DH of course, is David Ortiz. Second base also gave me a struggle, but Bobby Doerr edged out current second baseman Dustin Pedroia. And the final outfield spot was the hardest to choose. Guys like Dwight Evans, Mike Greenwell, Fred Lynn, Manny Ramirez, Babe Ruth and Tris Speaker gave Jim Rice a run for his money but ultimately succumb to Rice’s 1978 numbers. Rice belted 46 homeruns that year while driving in 139 and scoring 121 runs and hitting .315. Those are numbers anyone would call a career year. Go to MLB.com and pick your all-time 9.