‘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?’

Two in a Row for Albert

Albert Pujols sweeps the first place voting and takes home the NL MVP for a second straight year. Pujola joined an elite crowd by winning his third overall MVP. Only Barry Bonds has more with seven. Subtract the steroids and Bonds would have three also. Pujols led the league in homeruns, was sixth in hits and third in RBI. He also finished with a .327 batting average. Albert also led the league in put outs and finished with a .992 fielding percentage. The race for second was much closer. While pujols received all the first place votes and earned 448 points, Hanley Ramirez beat out Ryan Howard and Prince Fielder by mere points with 233 compared to 217 and 203 respectively. Pujols continues to be a premiere player.

Mauer Takes AL MVP

Joe Mauer runs away with the AL MVP award. The best part is that he beat out Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter of the Yankees. Mauer put up some impressive numbers considering he was out for about a month and a half to start the season. Mauer finished the season with a .365 average, 28 homeruns, 96 RBI and 94 runs. Teixeira had slightly higher homerun and RBI numbers but did so in 86 more at-bats. Mauer propelled the Twins to an AL Central penant. Teixeira and Jeter both received ribbons for participation. Maybe next year pinstripers!