Met Frank Thomas when I was about six years old, right after we got bounced out of the playoffs by the Mariners. He was injured at the time, and he had me touch his arm for good luck. He also tried to convince me that he was actually Carlos Lee, lol. He really made the effort to turn that brief meeting into a special memory for me. Also loved hearing the Hawk on these old broadcasts.
I don't think Frank Thomas gets enough credit as to how amazing of a hitter he actually was. Being able to hit for over 500 homers, career average above .300 and have almost 2500 career hits. When you actually think about those numbers it is absolutely mind boggling haha
His obp numbers were absolutely absurd as well. His LOWEST obp through his age 29 season was 429. He walked over 100 times a year, hit tanks, and hit for avg. For some reason he has the reputation of just a dude who hit a lot of homers but he's one of the best and most complete hitters ever. He could do everything, discipline, power, and bat to ball skills.
No other player has more than three straight seasons of .300 BA, 100 H's, 100 RBI, 100 R's, 100 BB's, 20 HR's...and Frank did it SEVEN straight years. Not to mention in the early 90s Big Hurt was #1 on the Beckett Hot List for 34 straight months! If all this is "not enough credit" I don't know what is...
Cubs fan, but I have nothing bad to say about Frank Thomas. He played the game the right way. I have nothing but respect for The Big Hurt. He was that good.💜
This is why baseball has been ruined...the greats find their own way, now it is hammered out of them in little league...every great hitter had their own stance and timing, now nearly all the swings are the same.
One of the best things about him is he was so dang hard to strike out. I’m a life-long Cubs fan EXCEPT during the Frank Thomas years on the south side. My favourite ball player to this day.
His cameo in "Married...with Children" is great. He spins the headline and asks for a break. Director says, "no". Frank grabs a bat and slams it on his hand and goes, "Can I take a break now?" Director immediately says, "Absolutely!" Frank says, "Thanks! Now where's Saberhagen with my lasagna!?"
Honestly, to me, his swing looks like the bat weighs 50 lbs, and as if he struggled to complete the swing. He even moved his body forward to the point his backfoot came off the ground. But just my opinion.
Frank Thomas was the truth. Not nearly enough people give him credit for being potentially the greatest hitter of his era. Look at his numbers and Bonds's numbers prior to the steroids and they were damned near identical.
If you watch any White Sox highlights you'll probably here that 99% of the time for every home run over the years. Some hate it but it doesn't bother me much I think excitement is great for commentary.
@@h.m.j.a.206 I remember back in the day I had a Sox game on and I bet my homie $20 that if a White Sox player hit a home run that the announcer would do that. I guess he thought it sounded so absurd that he took the bet lol Easiest $20 I've ever made.
@@ShackCrewInc310 Scully is a legend that's voice will be remembered forever whether you like the Dodgers or not. Scully is one of the real voices of baseball.
Amazing stats, first ballot hall of fame, called for ped testing and stayed clean. Power, average, MVP and contributed some big numbers in limited time in 2005 due to injury. (Championship year.) Was a linebacker at Auburn, and has a statue there. Beloved by home and away fans, as you can tell by the comments. Especially from Cubs fans, and division rivals. One of the most talented players I've ever seen.
You know the balls are juiced today. A man that size crushing the ball and it staying in the park and seldom going upper deck. If he were playing now he’d give exit velocity new meaning and definition.
For those 8 consecutive years (and several after), Thomas was DEADLY. A more dangerous hitter could not be found (he ended up on base, one way or another, about 50% of the time - how do you pitch to that?). The Hawk and Wimpy = no comparison. Marv Albert of baseball.
I can only take so many of their "You can put it on the booooard, YES" crap. I guess that was the announcer's trademark, or at least he was trying to make it his trademark? Like George Costanza asking to be called T-bone; you gotta let things develop naturally. "Holy Cow" was natural. I really miss the days of Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey Jr, Albert Belle, Juan Gonzalez, Mike Piazza, Kirby Puckett, etc. Once Mcguire, Sosa, and Bonds started the homerun record chase things were just different. Exciting at the time, but one dimensional in retrospect.
Growing up a kid in the 90s, it was Frank Thomas and Ken Griffey Jr. who were my Baseball heroes. The Big Hurt was so damned good.
Totally agree, and yea Frank was a monster. Lol you remember the Big Hurt and Ken Griffey jr video games?
Exactly. Ken & Frank were the BEST-
Thought it was bs when people accused them of roids
Don’t forget Jeff Bagwell.
💯
Met Frank Thomas when I was about six years old, right after we got bounced out of the playoffs by the Mariners. He was injured at the time, and he had me touch his arm for good luck. He also tried to convince me that he was actually Carlos Lee, lol. He really made the effort to turn that brief meeting into a special memory for me. Also loved hearing the Hawk on these old broadcasts.
Frank Thomas is pure greatness.
No hgh or steroids. 521 all natural homeruns. All the while never swinging for homeruns. Batting avg 301. Great eye Drew alot of walks.
My all time favorite White Sox player
What about nugenix?
@@tedhampton9498 he’s on the total t 😂
Sometimes I wonder if Big Hurt had used steroids the numbers he would have put up. Maybe even better than the Bonds 73 homerun season.
How do you know he didn't take anything? Did he tell you that?
Hearing all the voices of my childhood. What a great time to be a kid.
The Hawk and Wimpy are legends
One of the greatest of all time!!! 🖤🤍
I don't think Frank Thomas gets enough credit as to how amazing of a hitter he actually was. Being able to hit for over 500 homers, career average above .300 and have almost 2500 career hits. When you actually think about those numbers it is absolutely mind boggling haha
A hall fame guy should actually play in the field most of his career
His obp numbers were absolutely absurd as well. His LOWEST obp through his age 29 season was 429. He walked over 100 times a year, hit tanks, and hit for avg.
For some reason he has the reputation of just a dude who hit a lot of homers but he's one of the best and most complete hitters ever. He could do everything, discipline, power, and bat to ball skills.
No other player has more than three straight seasons of .300 BA, 100 H's, 100 RBI, 100 R's, 100 BB's, 20 HR's...and Frank did it SEVEN straight years. Not to mention in the early 90s Big Hurt was #1 on the Beckett Hot List for 34 straight months! If all this is "not enough credit" I don't know what is...
The Big Hurt. One of my favorite players to watch when I was growing up.
Love this guy. His eye at the plate was one of the best.
You know it’s a bomb just off the sound the ball makes when hit.
Cubs fan, but I have nothing bad to say about Frank Thomas. He played the game the right way. I have nothing but respect for The Big Hurt. He was that good.💜
Frank Thomas Was Albert Pujols Before Albert Pujols Came Into The League In 2001
Frank he was the greatest chigago white Sox no question about that's Hall Fame
He is still so underrated
You’d never teach anyone to hit like Frank Thomas, and yet it’s beautiful to watch to him hit.
This is why baseball has been ruined...the greats find their own way, now it is hammered out of them in little league...every great hitter had their own stance and timing, now nearly all the swings are the same.
Always was a big fan of Frank, growing up. Cool guy too
He is cool. Still lives in the Chicago area.
One of the best things about him is he was so dang hard to strike out. I’m a life-long Cubs fan EXCEPT during the Frank Thomas years on the south side. My favourite ball player to this day.
South side 🎉
First career homer off of fellow Hall of Famer Jack Morris.
Amazing.
Chicago sports legend
One of the best White Sox players in my lifetime. Maybe THE best.
the big hurt goes deep on the big unit !!!
I once saw him hit a home run the opposite way at Fenway Park. He's so strong.
hearing Farmer brings back so many good feels. RIP
Growing up on the south side of Chicago he is the reason I became a Sox fan
His cameo in "Married...with Children" is great. He spins the headline and asks for a break. Director says, "no". Frank grabs a bat and slams it on his hand and goes, "Can I take a break now?" Director immediately says, "Absolutely!" Frank says, "Thanks! Now where's Saberhagen with my lasagna!?"
Just absolutely crazy power. It never felt like he had to put much effort into his swing and the ball would still fly 450 feet.
Honestly, to me, his swing looks like the bat weighs 50 lbs, and as if he struggled to complete the swing. He even moved his body forward to the point his backfoot came off the ground. But just my opinion.
Just a machine an outstanding young ball player
Never seen a ball hits that hard!
Being a Cub fan I just love the “we got wood!” t-shirt @ 2:12. HA
I'm from Chicago he's my favorite player of all time. Hes one of the few players who can hit a Homer on a ball in the opposite batter box
Living in Chicago I had the thrills of watching the BIG HURT 💪
One of my favorite players no doubt
Frank Thomas was the truth. Not nearly enough people give him credit for being potentially the greatest hitter of his era. Look at his numbers and Bonds's numbers prior to the steroids and they were damned near identical.
Some want the praise, others don’t
The big man had some fast hands
Who the hell can hit a home run with a broken bat??? TOTAL RESPECT!!!!
It's pretty rare but I have seen clips of other players hitting them like Bryce Harper, Mark Teixeira, Andrew Jones and Barry Bonds.
Barry Bonds doesn’t count.
So underrated
I got Frank The big hurt Thomas’s autograph when he was playing for the Auburn Tigers in the spring of 1985. War Eagle
4:08 . The Best ,The Most Articulate !,The One, The Only !!!!!
John Miller !!!
Thank you Sir
That’s the Charley Lau theory of hitting right there.
Greatest of all time!!
As a Tigers fan i still just love this dude
Just got a new Frank Thomas White Sox jersey. Can’t wait to show it off.
Cracks me up half his big shots his back leg is off the ground😂
He not only hit HR but he went deep like over 500ft easily!!
He’d knock em out the park and the opposing catcher would congratulate him at home base. That’s the best feeling in the world.
I miss the old ball parks.
No hgh or steroids for the big hurt.. just good ol’ fashioned nugenix
You can put it on the board! I never heard this before shit is great. I’m a Dodger
If you watch any White Sox highlights you'll probably here that 99% of the time for every home run over the years. Some hate it but it doesn't bother me much I think excitement is great for commentary.
@@h.m.j.a.206 I remember back in the day I had a Sox game on and I bet my homie $20 that if a White Sox player hit a home run that the announcer would do that. I guess he thought it sounded so absurd that he took the bet lol Easiest $20 I've ever made.
@@h.m.j.a.206 I love it brotha. I had scully all these years not complaining. But I appreciate his calls
@@Craig-in1un Easy money 💰 lol I would've done the same especially if I knew every call for every at bat after watching for a while.
@@ShackCrewInc310 Scully is a legend that's voice will be remembered forever whether you like the Dodgers or not. Scully is one of the real voices of baseball.
He is somewhat underrated due to the streriod era and his ego but man he was special.
Most understand guy in Mlb history
Underrated is what I meant to type, darn phone
No worries I knew what you meant lol happens to me all the time
@@h.m.j.a.206 The BIG Hurt, a shame he doesn't get the recognition he deserves
My high school teammate right there. He could do it all with the bat. Power, with average, great eye at plate
Nice! Classmates with a legend I wish I could say that
Columbus High School, Columbus Ga
@@coveultimatefishing8937 and coach Bobby Howard who is at pacelli now
@@coveultimatefishing8937 my step brother is on hall of fame wall there as well with the great big hurt
Insane how even late in his career he could be well behind a change or breaking ball and it was still like "lol, ok bai"
Amazing stats, first ballot hall of fame, called for ped testing and stayed clean. Power, average, MVP and contributed some big numbers in limited time in 2005 due to injury. (Championship year.) Was a linebacker at Auburn, and has a statue there. Beloved by home and away fans, as you can tell by the comments. Especially from Cubs fans, and division rivals. One of the most talented players I've ever seen.
Like lightning too w that step
Should have sent Thomas for the inside the park
Grand slam straightaway centre over Griffey, so cool.
1st mlb hit was on WGN-TV Channel 9 in 1990 at County Stadium
Career 974 OPS. 18th best all time. Incredible.
I have this dude's rookie card in MINT condition and it's worth at least a crisp dollar bill ! Thanks Frank !
you can put it on the booooard yeees!
3:50 that's what they call an "ambush" these days. That was off of the Big Unit.
That allstar game hr sounded like a gunshot
You know the balls are juiced today. A man that size crushing the ball and it staying in the park and seldom going upper deck. If he were playing now he’d give exit velocity new meaning and definition.
That crack sound was so violent!!!!
Broken bat
Fly ball
It’s gone.
Nuff said
Griffey is definitely the player of the 90s but in the early 90s Frank was #1 on the Beckett Hot List for 34 straight months!
As R-Truth said "You're a big, Big, BIG, man-"
One of the ways you know someone is truly great is when he comes to bat and no one gets up to get food or use the bathroom.
For those 8 consecutive years (and several after), Thomas was DEADLY. A more dangerous hitter could not be found (he ended up on base, one way or another, about 50% of the time - how do you pitch to that?). The Hawk and Wimpy = no comparison. Marv Albert of baseball.
Best player in Chicago history
You can tell Frank Thomas had one of the quickest pitch Lock-on's in MLB History.
He was the Ted Williams of our time during his first 7 or 8 years ..
the sound the poor bat made when he crushed one!!
The Big Hurt!!!
He also hit good pitching better than anyone. The only other player from his era that comes close is Albert Belle.
Ever heard of Tony gwynn
Mo Vaughan
The only reason I watched this is because my baseball coach calls me frank for frank Thomas
He’s all upper body too!
Frank Thomas Barry larkin jose canseco mark mcgwire all time favorite players!!
Anybody notice how slender Colon is at 4:20?
I think that was his Rookie year but could be wrong
1:40 base hit goes on a highlight reel??
Clutch game tying hit
"She'll like it too"
Oh he really got a piece j a j
Somebody tell me, was it true that Frank Thomas used to block for Bo Jackson at Auburn University?
😂
Wish he would have played for the Yankees
And she’ll like it too
i prefer his swing over Griffeys
#blackdiamondpresscomix🏁2k22 the 1 reason i like the white Sox! Jr.jr🤫
You can put it on the boooooard Frank.
The big hert
Damn these pitches look sooooo slow
Remember the heat 2
90s miguel cabrera
If the alkebuzar killer in reverse did for boxing
Remember not a curse
This would be so much better if we didn't have to hear Hawk Harrelson's annoying calls with it
Cry more
325 your mine🚘
Didnt even know the sox didnt wear black and white stripes
I can only take so many of their "You can put it on the booooard, YES" crap. I guess that was the announcer's trademark, or at least he was trying to make it his trademark? Like George Costanza asking to be called T-bone; you gotta let things develop naturally. "Holy Cow" was natural. I really miss the days of Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey Jr, Albert Belle, Juan Gonzalez, Mike Piazza, Kirby Puckett, etc. Once Mcguire, Sosa, and Bonds started the homerun record chase things were just different. Exciting at the time, but one dimensional in retrospect.
I love Frank the Tank Thomas but his swing mechanics were ugly af lol it worked for him so it’s a great example of “do you if it works” 😂
The White Sox had the BEST announcers. . . Enthusiasm etc. These announcers today are trash.
#JeffFrye, Thomas is not hitting off his front foot.