View source for Frank Thomas

{{short description|American baseball player (born 1968)}}
{{About|the American Hall of Fame baseball player}}
{{redirect|The Big Hurt}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Frank Thomas
|image=Frank Thomas 1997 CROP.jpg
|caption=Thomas with the Chicago White Sox in 1997
|width=240px
|position=[[Designated hitter]] / [[First baseman]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1968|5|27}}
|birth_place=[[Columbus, Georgia]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=August 2
|debutyear=1990
|debutteam=Chicago White Sox
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=August 29
|finalyear=2008
|finalteam=Oakland Athletics
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.301
|stat3label=[[Home run]]s
|stat3value=521
|stat2label=[[Hit (baseball)|Hits]]
|stat2value=2,468
|stat4label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat4value=1,704
|teams=
* [[Chicago White Sox]] ({{mlby|1990}}–{{mlby|2005}})
* [[Oakland Athletics]] ({{mlby|2006}})
* [[Toronto Blue Jays]] ({{mlby|2007}}–{{mlby|2008}})
* [[Oakland Athletics]] ({{mlby|2008}})
|awards=
<!-- Per WT:BASEBALL consensus, do not add "2005 WS champion", as he was not on the White Sox World Series roster due to injury-->
* 5× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1993]]–[[1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1997]])
* 2× [[AL MVP]] (1993, 1994)
* 4× [[Silver Slugger Award]] (1991, 1993, 1994, 2000)
* [[List of Major League Baseball Batting Champions|AL batting champion]] (1997)
* [[Chicago White Sox#Retired numbers|Chicago White Sox No. 35]] retired
|hoflink = National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
|hoftype = National
|hofdate=[[2014 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2014]]
|hofvote=83.7% (first ballot)
}}

'''Frank Edward Thomas Jr.''' (born May 27, 1968), nicknamed "'''the Big Hurt''',"<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicknames in Pro Sports|url=http://www.kidzworld.com/article/962-the-nickname-game-in-sports|access-date=August 29, 2010|website=Kidzworld|publisher=}}</ref> is an American former baseball [[designated hitter]] and [[first baseman]] in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). He played for three [[American League]] (AL) teams from 1990 to 2008, all but the last three years with the [[Chicago White Sox]]. A five-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]], he is the only player in major league history to have seven consecutive seasons (1991–1997) with at least a .300 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]], 100 [[run batted in|runs batted in]] (RBI), 100 [[run (baseball)|runs scored]], 100 [[base on balls|walks]], and 20 [[home run]]s. Thomas also won the [[List of Major League Baseball Batting Champions|AL batting title]] in 1997 with a .347 mark. Thomas is a two-time AL MVP and won a World Series in 2005 although he was injured during the regular season and World Series. Thomas is widely considered one of the greatest right-handed hitters in MLB history.

Drafted seventh overall by the White Sox in the [[1989 Major League Baseball draft|1989 MLB draft]], Thomas made his major league debut the following year and immediately impressed with his hitting ability. Thomas was named the AL's [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] (MVP) by unanimous vote in 1993. That year, he became the first White Sox player to hit 40 home runs and led the team to a division title. He repeated as MVP in the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|strike-shortened]] 1994 season, batting .353 and leading the league in [[slugging percentage]] and runs. Following two sub-par seasons, Thomas lost a close MVP vote in 2000 despite posting career highs of 43 home runs and 143 RBI. Still, he was named [[AL Comeback Player of the Year]], and Chicago finished with the AL's best record. Later in Thomas's career, a variety of foot injuries and minor ailments reduced his productivity and often limited him to a [[designated hitter]] role. In 2005, his final season in Chicago, he was limited to only 34 games after starting the year on the disabled list and then fracturing a bone in his foot close to where it was surgically repaired the previous off-season. He was unable to play in the post-season while the White Sox won the [[2005 World Series|World Series]] that year. Thomas spent the final three years of his career with the [[Oakland Athletics]] and [[Toronto Blue Jays]], with whom he hit his [[500 home run club|500th home run]].

By the end of his career, Thomas was tied for eighth in AL history for home runs (521), ninth for RBI (1,704), and sixth for walks (1,667). Among players with at least 7,000 [[at bat]]s in the AL, he ranked eighth in slugging average (.555) and ninth in [[on-base percentage]] (.419). With a .301 lifetime batting average, he became the seventh player in history to retire with at least a .300 average and 500 home runs. He holds White Sox franchise records for career home runs (448), RBI (1,465), runs (1,327), [[double (baseball)|doubles]] (447), [[extra base hit]]s, walks (1,466), slugging average, (.568) and on-base percentage (.427). The White Sox [[Chicago White Sox#Retired numbers|retired]] Thomas's uniform number 35 in 2010 and unveiled a statue of him at [[U.S. Cellular Field]] in 2011. Thomas was elected to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]] in [[2014 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2014]] in his first year of eligibility—the first White Sox star to achieve that distinction.<ref>[[Tom Seaver]] and [[Steve Carlton]], both of whom joined the White Sox late in their careers after starring for other teams, were the only previous White Sox players elected in their first year of eligibility.</ref>

Thomas was one of the few major league stars who never fell under suspicion during the [[doping in baseball|performance-enhancing drugs]] controversies of the late 1990s. An advocate for drug testing as early as 1995, he was the only active player who agreed to be interviewed for the [[Mitchell Report]] in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Curry|first=Jack|date=December 15, 2007|title=One Player Who Spoke With Mitchell Wonders Why So Few Others Did|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/15/sports/baseball/15talk.html|access-date=January 24, 2018|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==Early life and college==
Thomas was born and raised in [[Columbus, Georgia]], and attended [[Columbus High School (Columbus, Georgia)|Columbus High School]], where he was a standout in both [[high school football|football]] and baseball. As a sophomore, he hit [[cleanup hitter|cleanup]] for the baseball team, which won a state championship. As a senior, he not only hit .440, but also was named an All-State [[tight end]] in football, and played [[forward (basketball)|forward]] with the basketball team. He wanted desperately to win a contract to play professional baseball, but was not selected in the 1986 amateur draft.<ref name="draft1986">{{cite news |last=Myslenski |first=Skip |date=August 6, 1994 |title=White Sox Star Fulfilling Date With Destiny |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-08-07-9408070133-story.html |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> "I was shocked and sad," Thomas recalled in the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. "I saw a lot of guys I played against get drafted, and I knew they couldn't do what I could do. But I've had people all my life saying you can't do this, you can't do that. It scars you. No matter how well I've done. People have misunderstood me for some reason. I was always one of the most competitive kids around."<ref name=draft1986/>

In the autumn of 1986, Thomas accepted a scholarship to play [[college football|football]] at [[Auburn University]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Frank Thomas Collection|url=http://www.frankthomascollection.com/87_Auburn_Media_2.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220075204/http://www.frankthomascollection.com/87_Auburn_Media_2.jpg|archive-date=February 20, 2010|access-date=October 2, 2008|website=Frank Thomas Collection}}</ref> His love of baseball drew him to the school's baseball team, where the coach immediately recognized his potential. "We loved him," Auburn baseball coach [[Hal Baird]] told ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''. "He was fun to be around—always smiling, always bright-eyed." He was also a tremendous hitter, posting a .359 batting average and leading the [[Auburn Tigers|Tigers]] in RBI as a freshman. During summer 1987, he played for the U.S. Pan American Team, earning a spot on the final roster in the [[1987 Pan American Games|Pan American Games]]. The Games coincided with the beginning of football practice back at Auburn, so he left the Pan Am team and returned to college—only to be injured twice in early-season football games.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} In the summer of 1988, Thomas played for the [[Orleans Cardinals]] of the [[Cape Cod Baseball League]]. Highlights included a three-homer game in Wareham, as well as a home run over the 434' sign in center field at [[Eldredge Park]] in Orleans. In 2000, Thomas was named a member of the inaugural class of the [[Cape Cod Baseball League#Hall of Fame and Museum|Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame Ceremony 20 January 2001 |url=http://capecodbaseball.org/news/hofnews/?article_id=247 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223144251/http://capecodbaseball.org/news/hofnews/?article_id=247 |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |access-date=September 1, 2019 |website=[[Cape Cod Baseball League]] |publisher=}}</ref>

Despite the injury that could have jeopardized his football scholarship, Auburn continued his funding, and baseball became his sole sport. He won consideration for the U.S. National Team—preparing for the [[1988 Summer Olympics]]—but was cut from the final squad. By the end of his junior baseball season, he had hit 19 home runs, 19 doubles, and batted .403 with a slugging percentage of .801. Thomas concluded his college career with 49 home runs, a school record.<ref name="library">{{cite web |title=Frank Thomas |url=https://baseballbiography.com/frank-thomas-1968 |access-date=January 9, 2009 |website=Baseball Biography |publisher=}}</ref> In May 2011, he was inducted into the [[Alabama Sports Hall of Fame]].

== Professional career ==

=== Chicago White Sox ===

==== Early years (1990–1996) ====
The [[Chicago White Sox]] selected Thomas with the seventh pick in the first round of the June [[1989 Major League Baseball draft]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=1st Round of the 1989 MLB June Amateur Draft|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=1989&draft_round=1&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|language=en}}</ref> He made his major league debut on August 2, 1990, against the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] at [[Milwaukee County Stadium|County Stadium]]; he went without a [[hit (baseball)|hit]], going 0-for-4, but had an RBI on a [[fielder's choice]] which scored [[Iván Calderón (baseball)|Iván Calderón]] as the White Sox won the game 4–3.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 2, 1990 |title=August 2, 1990 Chicago White Sox at Milwaukee Brewers Play by Play and Box Score |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL199008021.shtml |access-date=August 29, 2010 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |publisher=[[Sports Reference]]}}</ref> On August 28, Thomas hit the first home run of his career in a road game against the [[Minnesota Twins]] at the [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome|Metrodome]] (which, coincidentally, would also be the site of his 500th career home run). He hit the home run off pitcher [[Gary Wayne]] in the top of the ninth inning as his team lost 12–6.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 28, 1990 |title=August 28, 1990 Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins Play by Play and Box Score |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN199008280.shtml |access-date=August 29, 2010 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |publisher=[[Sports Reference]]}}</ref> Thomas played in 60 games with the White Sox in 1990, batting .330 with seven home runs and 31 runs batted in (RBI).<ref name="br">{{cite web |title=Frank Thomas Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/t/thomafr04.shtml |access-date=January 9, 2009 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |publisher=[[Sports Reference]]}}</ref>

Thomas became known for his menacing home run power; in the on-deck circle, he routinely swung a rusted piece of [[rebar]] that he reportedly found during a renovation project in [[Comiskey Park|Old Comiskey Park]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Pinto|first=David|date=December 11, 2005|title=Hurt Nostalgia|url=http://www.baseballmusings.com/archives/012498.php|access-date=August 29, 2010|website=Baseball Musings|publisher=}}</ref> In his first full season, Thomas established himself as a multi-talented hitter, combining power with hitting for average, drawing walks, and driving in runs. In {{Baseball year|1991}}, Thomas finished third in MVP voting with a .318 batting average, 32 home runs and 109 RBI, as well as 138 walks.<ref name="br" /> He won the first of four [[Silver Slugger Award]]s, and led the league in [[on-base percentage]], something he would accomplish four times during his career.<ref name="br" />

In 1993, Thomas batted .317 with a club-record 41 homers, 128 RBI, 106 runs scored, and 112 walks.<ref name="br" /> He joined a quartet of Hall of Famers ([[Babe Ruth]], [[Lou Gehrig]], [[Jimmie Foxx]] and [[Ted Williams]]) as the only players in baseball history to eclipse .300 with more than 20 homers and more than 100 RBI, runs, and walks in three straight seasons. On the back of this historic offensive output, Thomas collected all 28 votes from baseball writers for a unanimous AL [[Most Valuable Player (baseball)|Most Valuable Player]] award,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 Awards Voting |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1993.shtml |access-date=January 9, 2022 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> the first by a White Sox player since [[Dick Allen]] in 1972, while leading the White Sox to their first AL West crown in 10 years. At the time, statistical analyst [[Bill James]] projected career statistics of 480 homers and a .311 lifetime average. Then-manager [[Gene Lamont]] was laudatory of Thomas' skills: "I've only seen him two years now, but I'm convinced that there isn't a pitch he can't hit."{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} White Sox announcer Ken Harrelson echoed the praise, "In my 30 years in the game, I've never seen anyone like Big Hurt [Thomas]. In another 30 years, we may be talking about Frank Thomas in the same way we talk about Ted Williams."{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} Thomas credited Harrelson with coining the "Big Hurt" nickname.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Face to Face with Frank Thomas |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=84|date=July 1996 |page=104}}</ref>

In 1994, playing just 113 games due to a strike-shortened season, Thomas again put up huge offensive numbers, batting .353 with 38 homers and 101 RBI, and he led the league in runs scored (106), walks (109), and slugging percentage with a whopping .729 mark.<ref name="br" /> Thomas handily won his second consecutive MVP award, taking 24 of 28 first-place votes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1994 Awards Voting |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1994.shtml |access-date=January 9, 2022 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He is one of only three first basemen in history to win consecutive MVP awards in the major leagues (Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx, 1932–1933, and [[Albert Pujols]], 2008–2009, are the others).

The 1994 shortened season was due to a players' strike, and perhaps no one felt the sting of the strike more than Thomas, who stood poised to achieve one of baseball's most prestigious honors: the [[Major League Baseball Triple Crown|Triple Crown]]. Not since 1967 had any player finished the regular season first in average, home runs, and runs batted in. Thomas had recorded 32 home runs at the All-Star break, and was contending for the honor when the strike occurred. Pressed by the media to comment on his accomplishments—and his future—Thomas downplayed his own significance, telling the ''Atlanta Journal-Constitution'': "I'm not into being known as the best by fans or the media. I care how I'm perceived by my peers. I can settle for the label 'one of the best' because that means you're considered an elite player."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Strauss |first=Joe |date=1994-07-30 |title=The Big Hurt |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-the-big-hurt/180381293/ |access-date=2025-09-04 |work=The Atlanta Constitution |page=D7}}</ref>

Thomas would continue putting up significant well-rounded offensive numbers, always placing in the top finishers in all major offensive categories, though rarely leading in any one stat. In 1995, he hit .308 with 40 homers and 111 RBI; in 1996, he hit .349 with 40 home runs and 134 RBI, and became an All-Star for the fourth time while finishing eighth in MVP voting.<ref name="br" />

==== Later years (1997–2005) ====
From 1991 to 1997, Thomas finished in the top 10 of the MVP voting every year.<ref name="br" /> In {{Baseball year|1997}}, Thomas won the batting title and finished third in MVP voting.<ref name="br" /> However, due in part to personal strife off the field, his offensive production wavered during the next two seasons. Never a defensive standout at first base during the early part of his career, Thomas nonetheless preferred playing in the field to being a [[designated hitter]], saying that it kept him focused; the fact that he did generally hit better as a first baseman created a dilemma over the years for the White Sox as to whether to use him as a DH, which would reduce wear on his body but might cost some offensive production. By the late 1990s, minor injuries were tending to keep him unavailable for short periods, and 1997 was the last year in which he played more in the field than as a DH. Thomas rebounded with force in {{Baseball year|2000}} when he hit .328 with a career-high 43 homers and 143 RBI.<ref name="br" /> Thomas finished second in MVP voting that season, behind [[Jason Giambi]] of the [[Oakland Athletics]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 Awards Voting |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_2000.shtml |access-date=January 9, 2022 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Thomas also won the 2000 [[MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award|AL Comeback Player of the Year Award]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patrick |first=Dan |date=May 15, 2002 |title=No more doubting Thomas |url=https://espn.go.com/talent/danpatrick/s/2002/0513/1381952.html |access-date=January 1, 2025 |website=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> But this would not mean an end to the rocky path he would follow later in his career.

In 2001, after his father died, Thomas also announced during the same week that he would undergo season-ending surgery after an [[MRI]] revealed a triceps tear in his right arm. He was distraught from the combined impact of both personal and professional strife. "This is the worst week of my life," he said during a press conference in Chicago. "First I lose my father, then come back and find out I'm lost for the season." He only played in 20 games that year, batting just .221 with four home runs and 10 RBI.<ref>{{cite web|date=May 28, 2001|title=Chicago's Big Hurt|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-75248560.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310091440/http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-75248560.html|archive-date=March 10, 2008|access-date=August 29, 2010|website=[[Encyclopedia.com]]|publisher=}}</ref><ref name="br" /><!--  Commented out because image was deleted: [[File:thomas_frank0826.jpg|thumb|300px|Frank Thomas swinging during a game against the New York Yankees as a member of the White Sox]] -->

He rebounded from his injury and played in 148 games in 2002, but hit just .252, a career-low for a complete season, and would never again approach a .300 batting average. However, his power and ability to get on base and drive in runs were still in his offensive arsenal, and he finished the season with 28 home runs and 92 RBI.<ref name="br" /> Always a patient hitter, Thomas led the AL in walks four times.<ref name="br" /> Through the end of the 2006 season, he was second among all active players in walks and third in on-base percentage, and ranked among the top 20 lifetime in both categories.

Thomas had another solid season in 2003. He tied for second in the AL in home runs (42), and was in the league's top ten in walks, extra base hits, slugging average, and [[on-base plus slugging]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=2003 American League Batting Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2003-batting-leaders.shtml |access-date=January 9, 2022 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> as he led the major leagues in fly ball percentage (54.9%). In 2005, Thomas again suffered from injury, but hit 12 home runs in 105 at-bats over 35 games, demonstrating his continued power at the plate.<ref name="br" /> Adding together 2004 and 2005, he had fewer than 350 total at-bats because of injuries, but hit 30 home runs and drew 80 walks. As a member of the White Sox, Thomas and teammate [[Magglio Ordóñez]] tied a major league record for back-to-back homers, with six in one season.

==== 2005 World Series ====
{{main|2005 World Series}}
[[File:Frank Thomas 2005 ALDS first pitch.jpg|thumb|right|Frank Thomas throws out the ceremonial first pitch of the [[2005 American League Division Series|2005 ALDS]] between the White Sox and Red Sox.]]
In 2005, manager [[Ozzie Guillén]] led the White Sox to a [[2005 World Series|World Series]] victory, their first in 88 years. Thomas was not on the postseason roster of the Series-winning team due to injury, but the team honored his perennial contributions to the franchise during Game 1 of the [[2005 American League Division Series|Division Series]] against the [[2005 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]]. Thomas was chosen to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. "What a feeling," Thomas said. "Standing [ovation] all around the place. People really cheering me. I had tears in my eyes. To really know the fans cared that much about me—it was a great feeling. One of my proudest moments in the game."<ref name="autogenerated2">{{Cite news |last=Crasnick |first=Jerry |author-link=Jerry Crasnick |date=October 19, 2005 |title=Big Hurt is far from forgotten |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/playoffs2005/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2197536 |access-date=August 29, 2010 |work=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> Though Thomas was not on the postseason roster, he did earn a [[World Series ring]] for his contributions during the season.

==== Departure (2005) ====
Thomas established several White Sox batting records, including all-time leader in runs scored (1,327), home runs (448), doubles (447), RBI (1,465), extra-base hits (906), walks (1,466), total bases (3,949), slugging percentage (.568), and on-base percentage (.427). At the time he left the team, his 448 home runs were more than twice as many as any other individual player had hit for the White Sox in their 105-year history.

Despite his perennial offensive production and established fan base in Chicago, the White Sox elected to release Thomas in 2005. Thomas later expressed disappointment with how his 16-year tenure with the White Sox was ended, saying that chairman [[Jerry Reinsdorf]] did not call him to tell him he wasn't coming back. He also said that he and [[Kenny Williams (baseball)|Kenny Williams]] did not see eye-to-eye after Williams became [[general manager (baseball)|general manager]] following the 2000 season. At the time, Thomas was unhappy that his next-to-last deal with the White Sox contained a "diminished skills" clause. He said the White Sox should have traded him after the playoffs that season.

"I've got a lot of respect for Jerry Reinsdorf, I do. But I really thought, the relationship we had over the last 16 years, he would have picked up the phone to say, 'Big guy, we're moving forward. We're going somewhere different. We don't know your situation or what's going to happen.' I can live with that, I really can," Thomas said. "But treating me like some passing-by-player. I've got no respect for that." Thomas said he was not bitter or angry and had joined the A's with an open mind.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |last=Joyner |first=James |date=February 27, 2006 |title=White Sox GM: Frank Thomas an Idiot |url=http://sports.outsidethebeltway.com/2006/02/white-sox-gm-frank-thomas-an-idiot/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060623170000/http://sports.outsidethebeltway.com/2006/02/white-sox-gm-frank-thomas-an-idiot/ |archive-date=June 23, 2006 |access-date=August 29, 2010 |website=OTB Sports}}</ref>

=== Oakland Athletics (2006) ===
[[File:Frank Thomas (baseball).jpg|thumb|Thomas mid-swing on April 3, 2006]]
Thomas signed with the [[Oakland Athletics]] to a one-year, $500,000 deal with incentives on January 26, 2006.<ref>{{cite news|date=January 26, 2006|title=Former ChiSox slugger agrees to 1-year deal with A's|work=[[ESPN]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2305916|access-date=January 9, 2009}}</ref> The Athletics installed Thomas as their everyday DH. He started the season slowly, hitting .178 through May 20,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Frank Thomas 2006 Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=thomafr04&t=b&year=2006 |access-date=January 1, 2025 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> but ended the season as the team leader in home runs, RBI, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2006 Oakland Athletics Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2006.shtml |access-date=January 1, 2025 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He provided a powerful right-handed bat in the middle of the lineup for the division-leading Athletics. He had a stretch from September 5 to September 11 where he hit a home run in six straight games.<ref name=":1" />

On May 22, 2006, Thomas homered twice in his first game against his former team. Before Thomas came up to lead off the second inning, a musical montage played on the [[Jumbotron]] at [[U.S. Cellular Field]], paying tribute to Thomas's legacy with the White Sox. He was cheered in his introduction by the White Sox fans. Moments later, when he hit his first home run of the night to put his former team behind in the score 1–0, the Chicago crowd gave Thomas a standing ovation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 23, 2006|title=Thomas homers twice, but White Sox slip past A's in 10|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/260522104|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109093036/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/260522104|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 9, 2022|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=[[ESPN]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|language=en}}</ref>

Thomas rejuvenated his career playing with the Athletics, placing fifth in the American League with 39 home runs and eighth with 114 RBI.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2006 American League Batting Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2006-batting-leaders.shtml |access-date=January 1, 2025 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He also was key to the team's stretch drive to the playoffs: for the week ending September 10, he was the league's player of the week after hitting .462 with five homers and 13 RBI.<ref>{{cite web|date=September 11, 2006|title=Thomas named AL Player of the Week|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060911&content_id=1657416&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112034545/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060911&content_id=1657416&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|archive-date=November 12, 2007|access-date=August 29, 2010|work=[[MLB.com]]|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]}}</ref> The 2006 postseason provided Thomas the opportunity to play in his first postseason games since 2000 due to having missed the 2005 playoffs with an injury, when the Athletics clinched the American League West title, defeating the [[Seattle Mariners]] 12–3 on September 26.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Arnold|first=Kirby|date=September 26, 2006|title=A's wrap up division title with rout of M's|url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/as-wrap-up-division-title-with-rout-of-ms/|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=[[The Everett Herald]]|language=en-US}}</ref> During the A's first playoff game on October 3, Thomas hit two solo home runs, leading the A's to a 3–2 win over the Twins.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Urban|first=Mychael|date=October 3, 2006|title=Zito punches holes in Twins' lineup|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20061003&content_id=1696727&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319075256/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20061003&content_id=1696727&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak|archive-date=March 19, 2007|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=[[Oakland Athletics]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> His performance during the opening playoff game earned Thomas the distinction of being the oldest player to hit multiple home runs in a postseason game. He led the A's to an [[2006 American League Division Series|ALDS]] victory, going 5-for-10 with two home runs in the series. In the [[2006 American League Championship Series|2006 ALCS]], he went 0-for-13 in what turned out to be his last postseason appearance.<ref name="br" /> 

On October 7, 2006, Thomas finished behind [[Jim Thome]], his replacement as the White Sox's DH, in the voting for the AL [[MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award|Comeback Player of the Year Award]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Mark |date=October 7, 2006 |title=Nomar, Thome nab Comeback honors |url=http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061007&content_id=1703774&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017173613/http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061007&content_id=1703774&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws |archive-date=October 17, 2006 |access-date=January 1, 2025 |website=[[Chicago White Sox]] |publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> He was awarded the AL players' choice award for Comeback Player. He finished fourth in the vote for the MVP award.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thesier |first=Kelly |date=November 21, 2006 |title=Morneau upsets field in AL MVP race |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061121&content_id=1744779&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212081155/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061121&content_id=1744779&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |archive-date=February 12, 2007 |access-date=January 1, 2025 |website=[[Minnesota Twins]] |publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref>

===Toronto Blue Jays (2007–2008)===
[[File:Thomas Hitting.jpg|thumb|right|225px|Thomas batting during spring training in Dunedin, Florida]]
On November 16, 2006, Thomas signed a two-year, $18&nbsp;million contract with the [[Toronto Blue Jays]]. According to [[MLB.com]], Thomas was scheduled to make $9 million in each of the two seasons. The contract included an option for 2009 contingent on his reaching 1,050 plate appearances over the next two seasons or 525 plate appearances in the second year of the contract.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bastian |first=Jordan |date=November 17, 2006 |title=Big signing: Jays ink Thomas |url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061117&content_id=1742394&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112034646/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061117&content_id=1742394&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor%2F |archive-date=November 12, 2007 |access-date=January 9, 2009 |work=[[MLB.com]] |publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]}}</ref>

On June 17, 2007, Thomas hit his 496th career home run against the [[Washington Nationals]], giving him his 244th home run as a DH, breaking the record previously held by [[Edgar Martínez]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bastian|first=Jordan|date=June 17, 2007|title=Thomas' 496th homer sets DH mark|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070617&content_id=2032181&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320063011/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070617&content_id=2032181&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|archive-date=March 20, 2008|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=[[Toronto Blue Jays]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref>

On June 28, 2007, Thomas hit the 500th home run of his career, becoming the 21st major league player to do so. It was a three-run shot off Minnesota's [[Carlos Silva (baseball)|Carlos Silva]] (Thomas' 500th home run came on the same day [[Craig Biggio]] hit his [[3,000 hit club|3,000th career hit]]). Despite Thomas being a player for the visiting team in the game, the [[Metrodome]] scoreboard still paid notice to his achievement. He was later ejected from this same game.<ref>{{cite web|date=June 29, 2007|title=Thomas slugs 500, Biggio hits 3,000|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/thomas-slugs-500-biggio-hits-3-000-article-1.219701|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910014806/https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/thomas-slugs-500-biggio-hits-3-000-article-1.219701|archive-date=September 10, 2021|access-date=September 10, 2021|website=[[New York Daily News]]}}</ref>

On September 17, 2007, Thomas hit three home runs in his team's 6–1 win over the Red Sox. It was the second time in his career that Thomas hit three home runs in a game, the first time also having been against the Red Sox on September 15, 1996 in a White Sox loss.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 15, 1996 |title=September 15, 1996 Chicago White Sox at Boston Red Sox Play by Play and Box Score |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS199609150.shtml |access-date=August 29, 2010 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |publisher=[[Sports Reference]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=September 17, 2007 |title=September 17, 2007 Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays Box Score and Play by Play |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TOR200709170.shtml |access-date=August 29, 2010 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |publisher=[[Sports Reference]]}}</ref> [[Knuckleball]]er [[Tim Wakefield]] started both games for the Red Sox, and gave up five of the six home runs Thomas hit, including all three in the first game.

During spring training in {{Baseball year|2008}}, Thomas expressed his confidence about his team's chances for the upcoming season. Thomas hit his first home run of the season against the Red Sox on April 5, in a 10–2 Blue Jays win.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 5, 2008|title=Eighth-inning outburst lifts Jays to 7th straight win over Red Sox|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/280405114|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221213530/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/280405114|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 21, 2021|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=[[ESPN]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|language=en}}</ref> The following day, with the bases loaded and a 2–2 tie, Thomas hit a [[grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] off Red Sox reliever [[Manny Delcarmen]], leading the Jays to a 7–4 victory.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bastian|first=Jordan|date=April 6, 2008|title=Jays feeling grand after sweeping Sox|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080406&content_id=2497538&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409005912/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080406&content_id=2497538&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|archive-date=April 9, 2008|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=[[Toronto Blue Jays]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> On April 19, before a game against the [[Detroit Tigers]], manager [[John Gibbons]] benched Thomas. Thomas expressed his frustration about the decision, and vowed that his career would "not end like this".<ref>{{cite news|date=April 20, 2008|title=Blue Jays' Thomas Angered by Benching|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/19/AR2008041901675.html|access-date=May 2, 2010}}</ref> On April 20, 2008, the Blue Jays released Thomas.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bastian|first=Jordan|date=April 20, 2008|title=Jays, Thomas mutually part ways|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080420&content_id=2558510&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423223900/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080420&content_id=2558510&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|archive-date=April 23, 2008|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=[[Toronto Blue Jays]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=John |date=April 20, 2008 |title=Toronto Blue Jays: Frank Thomas Out, Barry Bonds In? |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/18741-Toronto-Blue-Jays-Frank-Thomas-Out-Barry-Bonds-In--200408 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422184745/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/18741-Toronto-Blue-Jays-Frank-Thomas-Out-Barry-Bonds-In--200408 |archive-date=April 22, 2008 |access-date=August 29, 2010 |website=[[Bleacher Report]] |publisher=}}</ref>

===Return to Oakland (2008)===
Four days later after his release from Toronto, the Athletics and Thomas agreed to terms for his return.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=April 24, 2008 |title=A's bring back Frank Thomas |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2008/04/24/as-bring-back-frank-thomas/ |access-date=January 9, 2022 |website=[[The Mercury News]] |language=en-US |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> In his final game with the Athletics on August 29, he went 2-for-4.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 29, 2008 |title=Minnesota Twins at Oakland Athletics Box Score, August 29, 2008 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK200808290.shtml |access-date=January 9, 2022 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> After playing 55 games with Oakland due to time on the disabled list, Thomas hit five more home runs to bring his career total to 521, while posting a .263 batting average.<ref>{{cite web |last=Addcox |first=Jayson |date=August 31, 2008 |title=A's place Thomas on disabled list |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080830&content_id=3392645&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919161144/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080830&content_id=3392645&vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak |archive-date=September 19, 2008 |access-date=January 1, 2025 |website=[[Oakland Athletics]] |publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref><ref name="br" /> On October 31, 2008, he became a free agent.

===Retirement with Chicago===
{{MLBBioRet
|Align  = right
|Image  = SoxRetired35.png
|Name   = Frank Thomas
|Number = 35
|Team   = Chicago White Sox
|Year   = 2010
|}}
After not playing in the 2009 season, Thomas signed a one-day contract with the White Sox on February 12, 2010, and announced his retirement. During the same press conference, the White Sox, for whom he played the first 16 seasons of his career, announced that they would retire his No.&nbsp;35 on August 29.<ref>{{cite web|last=Merkin|first=Scott|date=February 11, 2010|title=Big Hurt decides to call it a career|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100211&content_id=8063648&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214062142/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100211&content_id=8063648&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|archive-date=February 14, 2010|access-date=August 29, 2010|work=[[MLB.com]]|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]}}</ref>
[[File:Frank Thomas and Hawk Harrelson.jpg|thumb|right|225px| Frank Thomas Day at U.S. Cellular Field on August 29, 2010]]

Thomas is the only player in major league history to have seven consecutive seasons of a .300 average and at least 100 walks, 100 runs, 100 runs batted in, and 20 home runs (1991–1997).<ref name="library"/> The only other player to have more than five consecutive seasons accomplishing this feat was [[Ted Williams]], with six.<ref name="library"/> This accomplishment is even more remarkable considering that Thomas played only 113 games in the strike-shortened 1994 season.

There are only six other players in history who have both hit more home runs and have a higher career batting average than Thomas: [[Ted Williams]], [[Hank Aaron]], [[Jimmie Foxx]], [[Babe Ruth]], [[Manny Ramirez]], and [[Willie Mays]].<ref>{{cite web|title=All-Time Totals|url=https://www.mlb.com/stats/all-time-totals|access-date=August 7, 2014|work=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref>

==Stance against performance-enhancing drugs==
Early in his career, Thomas, by his own admission, used [[amphetamines|greenies]] to deal with the difficulties of traveling. Thomas implied that he stopped using them after the [[collective bargaining agreement]] between the union and the league regulated teams' travel schedules.<ref name="PED Hall">{{cite magazine|date=January 28, 2017|title=Thomas: Include Bonds, Clemens in Hall if PED users get in|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/01/28/ap-bba-white-sox-convention|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date=January 29, 2021}}</ref>

However, as early as {{Baseball year|1995}}, Thomas was advocating drug testing for professional baseball players.<ref>{{cite news |title=Steroids in Baseball? Say it Ain't So, Bud |newspaper=[[Sporting News]] |date=July 24, 1995 |page=26}}</ref> After hitting his 500th career home run in 2007, Thomas stated, "It means a lot to me because I did it the right way," alluding to [[Barry Bonds]]'s then-ongoing pursuit of [[Hank Aaron]]'s career home run record.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last=Kieser|first=Joe|date=June 28, 2007|title=Thomas Launches No. 500 at Metrodome|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070628&content_id=2054182&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630132648/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070628&content_id=2054182&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|archive-date=June 30, 2007|access-date=August 29, 2010|work=[[MLB.com]]|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]}}</ref> Thomas was, then, the only active baseball player to be interviewed during the preparation of the [[Mitchell Report (baseball)|Mitchell Report]]. He did so voluntarily.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bastian |first=Jordan |date=February 18, 2008 |title=Thomas has no regrets about talking |url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080218&content_id=2378090&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316043438/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080218&content_id=2378090&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor |archive-date=March 16, 2008 |access-date=January 1, 2025 |website=[[Toronto Blue Jays]] |publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref>

Thomas has been critical of the election of certain players to the Hall of Fame who, he has said, "we all know" used performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).<ref name="PED Hall" /> Thomas said he was "not happy" about the 2017 election of [[Jeff Bagwell]] and [[Iván Rodríguez]] who, he said, "it's no secret" used PEDs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Skrbina |first1=Paul |title=Frank Thomas 'not happy' Pudge is in Hall of Fame |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/01/30/frank-thomas-hall-fame/97239932/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]] |date=January 30, 2017}}</ref>

In a 2018 interview with the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'', Thomas complained that his "career was stepped on" by competitors who used PEDs and "was the most hurt" of any players in that era.<ref>{{cite news |last=Greenberg |first=Steve |title=White Sox HOFer Frank Thomas on steroids in baseball: 'My career was stepped on' |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/7/14/18361638/white-sox-hofer-frank-thomas-on-steroids-in-baseball-my-career-was-stepped-on |access-date=January 29, 2021 |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=July 14, 2018}}</ref>

==Playing accomplishments==
[[File:Thomas banner.jpg|thumb|Banner at Rogers Centre displaying Thomas' home run count]]
*Five-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1993]]–[[1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1997]])
*Four-time [[Silver Slugger Award]] winner (1991, 1993–1994, 2000)
*On June 28, 2007, Thomas became the 21st player in major league history to hit at least 500 home runs, after he hit a first-inning home run at the [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome]].<ref name=":0" />
*Thomas is on a short list of players who have hit 500 home runs while maintaining a career .300 batting average (joining Hall-of-Famers: [[Babe Ruth]], [[Jimmie Foxx]], [[Mel Ott]], [[Ted Williams]], [[Willie Mays]], [[Hank Aaron]], and later joined by [[Manny Ramírez]] and [[Miguel Cabrera]]).
*Thomas is one of six players to hit 500 career home runs and accrue at least 1,600 walks. The others are: Ruth, Ott, [[Mickey Mantle]], Williams, and [[Barry Bonds]].
*Thomas was the first player in major league history to win two Silver Slugger Awards each at two different positions (1993–94 at first base; 1991 and 2000 as designated hitter).
*He was only the 11th player in history to win consecutive Most Valuable Player Awards, and the first American League player to do so since [[Roger Maris]] in 1960 and 1961.
*He was the third player, following Aaron and [[Eddie Murray]], to collect 500 career home runs and 120 career [[sacrifice fly|sacrifice flies]]. [[Albert Pujols]] later matched this feat.
*His 138 walks in the 1991 season was not only the most accrued in a season by any American League player in the 1990s, it was the most for a season by any AL player since 1969, when [[Harmon Killebrew]] walked 145 times.
*Thomas' .729 slugging average for the shortened 1994 season was the highest season mark for an AL player since Williams' .731 slugging average in 1957. Only [[Mark McGwire]]'s .730 in 1996 has been higher since then.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yearly League Leaders & Records for Slugging % |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/slugging_perc_leagues.shtml |access-date=2025-09-04 |website=Baseball Reference}}</ref>
*In the shortened 1994 season, Thomas achieved an on-base percentage of .494, which was also the highest season mark for an AL player since Williams' .528 on-base percentage in 1957. No AL player has topped this since.
*Retired as the all-time leader in home runs by a designated hitter (269); [[David Ortiz]] later broke his record.
*He is the only player in major league history to hit over 100 sacrifice flies and not collect a single [[sacrifice bunt]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Historical Player Stats|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp?c_id=mlb#elem=%5bobject+Object%5d&tab_level=child&click_text=Sortable+Player+hitting&game_type=%27R%27&season=&season_type=ALL&league_code=%27MLB%27&sectionType=sp&statType=hitting&page=1&ts=1389635946901&split=&playerType=ALL&timeframe=&sortColumn=sf&sortOrder=%27desc%27&extended=1|access-date=August 29, 2010|work=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> as well as the only player with over 10,000 plate appearances and no sacrifice bunts.
*The White Sox retired his uniform No. 35 during an on-field ceremony on "Frank Thomas Day", August 29, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last=Winston|first=Lisa|date=February 12, 2010|title=White Sox to retire Big Hurt's No. 35|url=http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100212&content_id=8066750&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216062637/http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100212&content_id=8066750&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws|archive-date=February 16, 2010|access-date=August 29, 2010|work=[[Chicago White Sox]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref>

==Retirement==

===Honors===
The White Sox announced that they would honor Thomas with a life-size bronze statue. It was unveiled on July 31, 2011, on the outfield concourse at [[U.S. Cellular Field]]. It is the eighth statue on the outfield concourse.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2011 |title='Big Hurt' Frank Thomas Gets Statue At U.S. Cellular |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/big-hurt-frank-thomas-gets-statue-at-u-s-cellular/ |access-date=January 1, 2025 |website=[[CBS News]] |language=en-US |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

Thomas was elected to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|National Baseball Hall of Fame]] in 2014 with 83.7% of the [[Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 2014#BBWAA election|vote]] in his initial year of eligibility, and was inducted as a member of the White Sox on July 27, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bloom|first=Barry|date=January 8, 2014|title=Maddux, Glavine, Thomas elected to Hall of Fame|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/greg-maddux-tom-glavine-frank-thomas-elected-to-hall-of-fame?ymd=20140108&content_id=66395522&vkey=news_mlb|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108231747/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/greg-maddux-tom-glavine-frank-thomas-elected-to-baseball-hall-of-fame?ymd=20140108&content_id=66395522&vkey=news_mlb|archive-date=January 8, 2014|access-date=January 9, 2014|work=[[MLB.com]]|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]}}</ref> He was the first player inducted into the Hall of Fame who played more games as a designated hitter than as a position player.

===Appearances in the media===
[[File:Frank Thomas.JPG|thumb|right|Thomas posing with [[Angelo Dundee]], former trainer of [[Muhammad Ali]], at Knology Field in [[Dunedin, Florida]]]]
Thomas appeared in the 1992 film ''[[Mr. Baseball]]'' as a hot-prospect rookie wearing #68 named Ricky Davis who forces [[Tom Selleck]]'s character off the [[New York Yankees|Yankees]] roster.

During the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|1994–95 MLB strike]], Thomas and a handful of other players appeared as themselves in the November 27, 1994, episode of ''[[Married With Children]]'' (Season 9, Episode 11).

In 1995, a video game titled ''[[Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball]]'' was developed by [[Acclaim Entertainment]] and released for various platforms, with ''[[All-Star Baseball '97 Featuring Frank Thomas]]'' following in 1997. Also in 1995, Premier Technologies created a [[pinball]] machine (marketed under the [[Gottlieb]] trade name) titled ''[[Frank Thomas' Big Hurt]]'';<ref>{{cite web|title=Internet Pinball Machine Database: Premier 'Big Hurt'|url=http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?gid=3591&puid=14026|access-date=August 29, 2010|website=Internet Pinball Machine Database|publisher=}}</ref> Thomas made an appearance in the documentary ''The History of Pinball'' in which he discusses the similarities between playing baseball and pinball. ''Frank Thomas' Big Hurt'' was later added to pinball video game ''[[The Pinball Arcade]]'' in late July 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lindsey |first1=Mike |date=July 29, 2016 |title=Frank Thomas' Big Hurt Just Released! |url=http://store.steampowered.com/news/externalpost/steam_community_announcements/252584317727089702 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |website=[[FarSight Studios]] |via=[[Steam (service)|Steam]]}}</ref>

In 2007, he appeared in a promotional advertisement for the Blue Jays, in which he engages in a [[pillow fight]] with children. This ad drew the criticism of the Television Bureau of Canada, who requested a "Dramatization. Do not try this at home." disclaimer be placed on the ad. A similar warning was placed on teammate [[A. J. Burnett]]'s commercial.<ref>{{Cite news |last=MacLeod |first=Robert |date=2007-04-03 |title=Critics decry Jays ad, Thomas |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/baseball/article/critics-decry-jays-ad-thomas-1233346.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250904115615/https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/baseball/article/critics-decry-jays-ad-thomas-1233346.php |archive-date=September 4, 2025 |access-date=2025-09-04 |work= |language=en-CA |agency=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> In response, the Blue Jays scheduled a "Frank Thomas Kid's Pillow" promotion for September 2, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 Promotional Schedule – Toronto Blue Jays|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/schedule/promotions.jsp?c_id=tor&y=2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819165311/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/schedule/promotions.jsp?c_id=tor&y=2007|archive-date=August 19, 2007|access-date=August 29, 2010|work=[[Toronto Blue Jays]]|publisher=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref>

In 2012, Thomas participated in the Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams game in Columbus, Ohio. He batted cleanup and helped the Legends team win the ballgame.<ref>{{cite web|last=Meisel|first=Zack|date=May 12, 2012|title=Legends win Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams game|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120512&content_id=31092790&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515212721/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120512&content_id=31092790&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|archive-date=May 15, 2012|access-date=January 13, 2014|work=[[MLB.com]]|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]}}</ref> In 2013, he participated in the Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams game in Rochester, New York.<ref>{{cite web|last=Casella|first=Paul|date=May 18, 2013|title=Legends, fans mix at Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams Game|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47934626&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109182157/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47934626&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|archive-date=January 9, 2014|access-date=January 13, 2014|work=[[MLB.com]]|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]}}</ref>

On June 24, 2017, Thomas gave a speech during [[Mark Buehrle]]'s White Sox #56 retirement ceremony about Buehrle's career and his time being his teammate.

===Broadcasting career===
[[File:Hall of Famers Frank Thomas and John Smoltz chat (22424734169).jpg|thumb|Frank Thomas with fellow ''[[MLB on Fox]]'' analyst and [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Famer]] [[John Smoltz]] before Game 4 of the [[2015 World Series]]]]
Thomas appeared as a guest analyst during [[TBS (TV network)|TBS]]'s coverage of the [[2007 MLB playoffs]].

Since 2010, Thomas has irregularly appeared on [[NBC Sports Chicago]] as a [[studio analyst]] during their pre-game and post-game [[Chicago White Sox]] broadcasts as well as on other sports talk shows on the channel. He is also a substitute [[color analyst]] for the Chicago White Sox NBC Sports Chicago broadcasts and [[WGN-TV|WGN]] broadcasts (until the channel ceased broadcasting the White Sox in 2020), filling in for [[Steve Stone (baseball)|Steve Stone]] on occasion.

In 2014, Thomas joined [[Fox Sports]] as a studio analyst for ''[[MLB on Fox]]''. In April 2023, Fox Sports announced that Thomas was being replaced by [[Derek Jeter]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=McDaniel |first=Mike |date=April 1, 2023 |title=Frank Thomas Out at Fox After Hire of Derek Jeter, per Report |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/04/01/frank-thomas-out-fox-broadcast-derek-jeter-hire-report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401191400/https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/04/01/frank-thomas-out-fox-broadcast-derek-jeter-hire-report |archive-date=April 1, 2023 |access-date=May 18, 2023 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</ref>

In June 2023, Thomas joined [[Apple TV+]]'s ''[[Friday Night Baseball]]'' coverage as an occasional interviewer and color commentator.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Farkas |first=Brady |date=June 8, 2023 |title=Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas Has New Broadcasting Job with Apple TV |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/baseball-hall-of-famer-frank-thomas-has-new-broadcasting-job-with-apple-tv |access-date=July 12, 2023 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</ref>

===Business===
Thomas is CEO and founder of W2W Records, a record label based in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]. He also co-founded the record label Liger Enterprises with former [[Priority Records]] executive Ron Spaulding. The first project released under the company was [[Kenny Lattimore]]'s 2017 album, ''Vulnerable''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Company - Liger Enterprises|url=http://www.ligerenterprises.com/company|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114115227/http://www.ligerenterprises.com/company|archive-date=January 14, 2018|access-date=January 14, 2018|website=Liger Enterprises}}</ref>

Thomas started his own [[craft beer]], Big Hurt Beer, in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ecker|first=Danny|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130429/BLOGS04/130429796/frank-thomas-getting-serious-about-big-hurt-beer|url-access=subscription|title=Frank Thomas getting 'serious' about Big Hurt Beer|date=April 29, 2013|website=[[Crain's Chicago Business]]|access-date=April 3, 2023}}</ref> 

In November 2014, Thomas opened a brewpub, Big Hurt Brewhouse, in the Chicago suburb of [[Berwyn, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Frost |first=Peter |date=November 3, 2014 |title=Frank Thomas' Big Hurt Brewhouse opens in Berwyn |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20141103/BLOGS09/141109979/frank-thomas-big-hurt-brewhouse-opens-in-berwyn |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 3, 2023 |website=[[Crain's Chicago Business]]}}</ref> The establishment closed in November 2016 but reopened the next year under the new name 35 Sports Bar and Grill.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bomkamp|first=Samantha|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-frank-thomas-35-sports-bar-opens-20171002-story.html|title=Frank Thomas' new sports bar, 35, opens in Berwyn at site of shuttered Big Hurt Brewhouse|date=October 2, 2017|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=April 3, 2023}}</ref> It closed for good in February 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barrows |first=Aimee |date=July 24, 2018 |title=El Nuevo Vallarta Sports Bar and Grill brings new life to Berwyn's historic bank building |url=https://www.shawlocal.com/2018/07/24/el-nuevo-vallarta-sports-bar-and-grill-brings-new-life-to-berwyns-historic-bank-building/ai88d7f/ |access-date=April 3, 2023 |work=[[Shaw Media (United States)|Shaw Local News]]}}</ref>

In 2018, Thomas was named spokesperson for [[Guaranteed Rate]], a Chicago-based mortgage lender, who also owned the naming rights to the White Sox home stadium, [[Guaranteed Rate Field]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Frank Thomas |url=https://www.guaranteedrate.com/frank-thomas |website=[[Rate (company)|Guaranteed Rate]]}}</ref>

On September 30, 2021, Go The Distance Baseball announced in a press release that Thomas purchased a controlling interest in the company, which owned the [[Field of Dreams (Dubuque County, Iowa)|Field of Dreams]] in Iowa.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Southard|first=Dargan|date=September 30, 2021|title=Hall of Famer Frank Thomas' group buys controlling interest in 'Field of Dreams' movie site|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2021/09/30/field-of-dreams-frank-thomas-group-buys-controlling-interest/5930399001/|access-date=January 9, 2022|website=[[USA Today]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

Thomas has been a spokesman for [[testosterone]] supplement Nugenix since 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=David |date=July 27, 2022 |title=Frank Thomas on Baseball, Keeping Fit Over 40, and That 'SNL' Nugenix Skit |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/sports/frank-thomas-on-baseball-keeping-fit-and-nugenix-mens-journal |access-date=October 26, 2023 |website=[[Men's Journal]] |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
{{div col}}
*[[DHL Hometown Heroes]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball home run records]]
*[[500 home run club]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career total bases leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball runs batted in records]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball batting champions]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball annual runs scored leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Frank Thomas (AL baseball player)}}
{{Baseballstats|mlb=123245|espn=2370|br=t/thomafr04|fangraphs=255}}
*{{C-SPAN|1013730}}
*{{IMDb name|id=0858827|name=Frank Thomas}}
*{{NYTtopic|people/t/frank_thomas|Frank Thomas}}
*{{YouTube|fOoAy20zSPg&mode|The Blue Jays honor Frank Thomas for his 500th home run}}

{{Navboxes|list1=
{{s-start|header={{s-ach}}}}
{{succession box|before=[[Robin Ventura]] <br> [[Edgar Martínez]] <br> [[Rafael Palmeiro]] <br> [[Joe Carter]] <br> [[Albert Belle]] <br> [[Albert Belle]] <br> [[Alex Rodriguez]] <br> [[Ken Griffey Jr.]]|title=[[Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award|American League Player of the Month]]|years=August 1991 <br> September 1992 <br> August 1993 <br> May 1994 <br> July 1994 <br> April 1996 <br> September 1996 <br> May 1997|after=[[Cal Ripken Jr.]] <br> [[John Olerud]] <br> [[Chris Hoiles]] <br> [[Albert Belle]] <br> [[Manny Ramírez]] <br> [[Mo Vaughn]] <br> [[Ken Griffey Jr.]] <br> [[Jeff King (baseball)|Jeff King]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{1989 College Baseball All-Americans}}
{{1989 MLB Draft}}
{{Chicago White Sox 1st round}}
{{Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award}}
{{AL DH Silver Slugger Award}}
{{AL MVPs}}
{{AL batting title}}
{{AL Comeback Players of the Year}}
{{AL 1B Silver Slugger Award}}
{{Home Run Derby champions}}
{{The Sporting News MLB Player of the Year Award}}
{{500 home run club}}
{{Chicago White Sox HOF}}
{{Chicago White Sox retired numbers}}
{{2014 Baseball HOF}}
{{Baseball Hall of Fame members}}
{{Major League Baseball on TBS}}
{{Major League Baseball on Fox}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Frank}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:African-American baseball players]]
[[Category:All-American college baseball players]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada]]
[[Category:American League All-Stars]]
[[Category:American League batting champions]]
[[Category:American League Most Valuable Player Award winners]]
[[Category:Auburn Tigers baseball players]]
[[Category:Auburn Tigers football players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Columbus, Georgia]]
[[Category:Birmingham Barons players]]
[[Category:Charlotte Knights players]]
[[Category:Chicago White Sox announcers]]
[[Category:Chicago White Sox players]]
[[Category:Fox Sports 1 people]]
[[Category:Gulf Coast White Sox players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players with retired numbers]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball first basemen]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball designated hitters]]
[[Category:National Baseball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Oakland Athletics players]]
[[Category:Orleans Firebirds players]]
[[Category:People from DuPage County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Sarasota White Sox players]]
[[Category:Silver Slugger Award winners]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Chicago]]
[[Category:Toronto Blue Jays players]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]