History of Frank Thomas in Timeline
Frank Thomas, "the Big Hurt," was a dominant MLB designated hitter and first baseman (1990-2008). Primarily with the Chicago White Sox, he achieved a rare feat of seven consecutive seasons (.300+ average, 100+ RBIs/runs/walks, 20+ home runs) from 1991-1997. A five-time All-Star, Thomas won the 1997 AL batting title (.347) and two AL MVP awards. He was part of the 2005 World Series-winning White Sox team, though injured. He is considered among the best right-handed hitters in baseball history.
3 hours ago : Frank Thomas Sues White Sox, Nike, and Fanatics Over Jersey Sales Rights.
Frank Thomas has filed a lawsuit against the White Sox, Nike, and Fanatics, alleging unauthorized use of his name and likeness on City Connect jerseys, seeking compensation and legal recourse.
1932: MVP Award for Jimmie Foxx
Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx wins MVP award in 1932.
1933: MVP Award for Jimmie Foxx
Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx wins MVP award in 1933.
1967: Last Triple Crown Winner Before 1994
In 1967, before Frank Thomas's near miss in 1994, the last player to achieve the Triple Crown was in 1967, highlighting how rare the accomplishment is.
May 27, 1968: Frank Thomas Born
On May 27, 1968, Frank Edward Thomas Jr., nicknamed "The Big Hurt," was born. He would later become a renowned baseball designated hitter and first baseman in MLB.
1972: First White Sox MVP
In 1972, Dick Allen won AL Most Valuable Player award, the first by a White Sox player before Frank Thomas.
1986: Did Not Get Drafted
In 1986, despite his aspirations, Frank Thomas was not selected in the amateur draft, which he found shocking and disappointing.
1986: Football Scholarship at Auburn University
In the autumn of 1986, Frank Thomas accepted a scholarship to play football at Auburn University, although his passion for baseball soon drew him to the school's baseball team.
1987: U.S. Pan American Team
In the summer of 1987, Frank Thomas played for the U.S. Pan American Team, earning a spot on the final roster but had to leave early due to football commitments.
1988: Cut from U.S. National Team
In 1988, Frank Thomas won consideration for the U.S. National Team preparing for the Summer Olympics but was ultimately cut from the final squad.
1988: Cape Cod Baseball League
In the summer of 1988, Frank Thomas played for the Orleans Cardinals in the Cape Cod Baseball League, showcasing his skills with notable home runs.
June 1989: Drafted by White Sox
In June 1989, The Chicago White Sox selected Frank Thomas with the seventh pick in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft.
1989: Drafted by White Sox
In 1989, Frank Thomas was drafted seventh overall by the White Sox in the MLB draft.
August 2, 1990: MLB Debut
On August 2, 1990, Frank Thomas made his major league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers, going 0-for-4 but recording an RBI.
1990: MLB Debut
In 1990, Frank Thomas began his MLB career, playing for three American League teams until 2008, predominantly with the Chicago White Sox.
1991: Start of Seven Consecutive Great Seasons
From 1991 to 1997, Frank Thomas achieved an unprecedented feat, having seven consecutive seasons with a batting average of at least .300, 100 RBIs, 100 runs scored, 100 walks, and 20 home runs.
1991: Consecutive Seasons of Excellence: 1991-1997
From 1991 to 1997, Frank Thomas achieved the distinction of being the only player in major league history to have seven consecutive seasons with a .300 average and at least 100 walks, 100 runs, 100 runs batted in, and 20 home runs.
1991: Top 10 MVP Voting
From 1991 to 1997, Frank Thomas consistently finished in the top 10 of the MVP voting, showcasing his sustained excellence.
1991: Finished Third in MVP Voting
In 1991, Frank Thomas finished third in MVP voting with a .318 batting average, 32 home runs, and 109 RBI. He also won the first of four Silver Slugger Awards.
1992: Appearance in Mr. Baseball in 1992
In 1992, Frank Thomas appeared in the film "Mr. Baseball" as Ricky Davis, a hot-prospect rookie.
1993: Unanimous AL MVP Award
In 1993, Frank Thomas batted .317 with 41 homers and 128 RBI. Thomas collected all 28 votes from baseball writers for a unanimous AL Most Valuable Player award, leading the White Sox to their first AL West crown in 10 years.
November 27, 1994: Appearance in Married With Children on November 27, 1994
On November 27, 1994, during the 1994–95 MLB strike, Frank Thomas appeared as himself in an episode of "Married With Children".
1994: Second MVP Award
Frank Thomas repeated as MVP in the strike-shortened 1994 season, batting .353 and leading the league in slugging percentage and runs.
1994: Impact of Strike-Shortened Season in 1994
In 1994, Frank Thomas played only 113 games due to the strike-shortened season but continued to excel.
1994: Strike-Shortened Season
In 1994, a players' strike cut short the season, preventing Frank Thomas from potentially achieving the Triple Crown.
1995: Advocating for Drug Testing in 1995
As early as 1995, Frank Thomas was advocating for drug testing for professional baseball players.
1995: Significant Offensive Numbers
In 1995, Frank Thomas continued to put up significant offensive numbers, hitting .308 with 40 home runs and 111 RBI.
1995: Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball Video Game in 1995
In 1995, the video game "Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball" was developed by Acclaim Entertainment, and Premier Technologies created a pinball machine titled "Frank Thomas' Big Hurt."
September 15, 1996: First Three Home Run Game Against the Red Sox on September 15, 1996
September 15, 1996, Frank Thomas hit three home runs against the Red Sox in a White Sox loss.
1996: Fourth All-Star Selection
In 1996, Frank Thomas hit .349 with 40 home runs and 134 RBI, earning his fourth All-Star selection and finishing eighth in MVP voting.
1997: Consecutive Seasons of Excellence: 1991-1997
From 1991 to 1997, Frank Thomas achieved the distinction of being the only player in major league history to have seven consecutive seasons with a .300 average and at least 100 walks, 100 runs, 100 runs batted in, and 20 home runs.
1997: AL Batting Title
In 1997, Frank Thomas won the AL batting title with a .347 mark, adding to his already impressive career statistics.
1997: Batting Title and Third in MVP Voting
In 1997, Frank Thomas won the batting title and finished third in MVP voting, solidifying his reputation as an elite hitter.
1997: All-Star Baseball '97 Featuring Frank Thomas in 1997
In 1997, the video game "All-Star Baseball '97 Featuring Frank Thomas" was released.
2000: Last Postseason Games Since 2000
Due to having missed the 2005 playoffs with an injury, the 2006 postseason provided Thomas the opportunity to play in his first postseason games since 2000.
2000: Tension with Management in 2000
In 2000, Frank Thomas experienced tension with Kenny Williams after Williams became general manager, and Thomas was unhappy with the "diminished skills" clause in his contract.
2000: AL Comeback Player of the Year Award
In 2000, Frank Thomas rebounded with a strong season, hitting .328 with career highs in home runs and RBI, earning him the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award.
2000: Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame
In 2000, Frank Thomas was named a member of the inaugural class of the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame, recognizing his achievements in the league.
2001: Father's Death and Season-Ending Surgery
In 2001, Frank Thomas faced personal and professional strife with the death of his father and a season-ending triceps tear, leading to a difficult period in his career.
2002: Career-Low Batting Average
In 2002, Frank Thomas played in 148 games but hit only .252, marking a career-low batting average for a complete season.
2003: Solid Season in 2003
In 2003, Frank Thomas had a strong season, tying for second in the AL with 42 home runs. He was also among the league's top players in walks, extra-base hits, slugging average, and on-base plus slugging, and led the major leagues in fly ball percentage.
2004: Home Runs and Walks Amidst Injuries in 2004 and 2005
Between 2004 and 2005, despite injuries limiting his playing time to fewer than 350 at-bats, Frank Thomas hit 30 home runs and drew 80 walks.
2005: World Series Win
Despite being injured during the regular season, Frank Thomas won a World Series in 2005 with the Chicago White Sox.
2005: Missed Playoffs with Injury in 2005
Frank Thomas missed the 2005 playoffs due to injury.
2005: Limited Play Due To Injury
In 2005, Frank Thomas' final season in Chicago, he was limited to 34 games due to injuries, preventing him from participating in the White Sox's World Series win that year.
2005: Release from the White Sox in 2005
In 2005, despite his offensive production and popularity, the White Sox released Frank Thomas, leading to his disappointment due to a perceived lack of communication from chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.
2005: White Sox Honored Thomas During World Series
In 2005, despite not being on the postseason roster due to injury, Frank Thomas was honored by the White Sox during Game 1 of the Division Series against the Boston Red Sox and threw out the ceremonial first pitch, after the White Sox won the World Series, their first in 88 years.
2005: Injury and Home Runs in 2005
In 2005, despite suffering from injury, Frank Thomas demonstrated his continued power by hitting 12 home runs in 105 at-bats over 35 games.
January 26, 2006: Signed with the Oakland Athletics in 2006
On January 26, 2006, Frank Thomas signed a one-year, $500,000 deal with the Oakland Athletics, where he became their everyday designated hitter.
October 7, 2006: AL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2006
On October 7, 2006, Frank Thomas finished behind Jim Thome in the voting for the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award but was awarded the AL players' choice award for Comeback Player and finished fourth in the vote for the MVP award.
November 16, 2006: Signed with the Toronto Blue Jays on November 16, 2006
On November 16, 2006, Frank Thomas signed a two-year, $18 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
2006: Ranked Among Top Players in Walks and On-Base Percentage
By the end of the 2006 season, Frank Thomas was second among all active players in walks and third in on-base percentage, highlighting his consistent ability to get on base.
2006: Rejuvenated Career with the Athletics in 2006
In 2006, Frank Thomas rejuvenated his career with the Athletics, finishing fifth in the American League with 39 home runs and eighth with 114 RBI. He was also named player of the week ending September 10 and hit two solo home runs in the A's first playoff game on October 3.
June 17, 2007: DH Home Run Record in 2007
On June 17, 2007, Frank Thomas hit his 496th career home run, his 244th as a DH, breaking the record previously held by Edgar Martínez.
June 28, 2007: 500th Career Home Run on June 28, 2007
On June 28, 2007, Frank Thomas hit his 500th career home run against Carlos Silva of the Minnesota Twins, becoming the 21st major league player to reach this milestone. He was later ejected from the game.
September 2, 2007: "Frank Thomas Kid's Pillow" Promotion on September 2, 2007
In response to criticism of his promotional ad, the Blue Jays scheduled a "Frank Thomas Kid's Pillow" promotion for September 2, 2007.
September 17, 2007: Three Home Runs Against the Red Sox on September 17, 2007
On September 17, 2007, Frank Thomas hit three home runs in a 6–1 win over the Red Sox. This was the second time in his career hitting three home runs in a game, with the first time also against the Red Sox.
2007: Alluding to Barry Bonds' Record Pursuit in 2007
After hitting his 500th career home run in 2007, Frank 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.
2007: TBS Analyst during 2007 MLB Playoffs
During the 2007 MLB playoffs, Frank Thomas appeared as a guest analyst for TBS's coverage.
2007: Blue Jays Pillow Fight Ad in 2007
In 2007, Frank Thomas appeared in a Blue Jays promotional advertisement involving a pillow fight with children, which drew criticism from the Television Bureau of Canada, leading to a disclaimer being added to the ad.
2007: Mitchell Report Interview
In 2007, Frank Thomas was the only active player who agreed to be interviewed for the Mitchell Report, highlighting his commitment to integrity in baseball.
April 20, 2008: Release from the Blue Jays on April 20, 2008
On April 20, 2008, Frank Thomas was released by the Toronto Blue Jays after expressing frustration about being benched.
October 31, 2008: Free Agency in 2008
On October 31, 2008, Frank Thomas became a free agent after playing his final game with the Athletics on August 29, ending the season with 521 career home runs and a .263 batting average.
2008: Final Season
Frank Thomas played until 2008, marking his final season in Major League Baseball.
2009: Did not play in 2009
After not playing in the 2009 season, Frank Thomas retired from baseball.
2009: Contract Option for 2009
Frank Thomas' contract with the Toronto Blue Jays included an option for 2009, contingent on reaching 1,050 plate appearances over the next two seasons or 525 plate appearances in the second year of the contract.
February 12, 2010: Retirement Announcement on February 12, 2010
On February 12, 2010, Frank Thomas signed a one-day contract with the White Sox and announced his retirement, with the team also announcing that they would retire his No. 35 on August 29.
2010: Retirement
Frank Thomas signed a one-day contract with the White Sox in 2010 and then announced his retirement from professional baseball.
2010: NBC Sports Chicago Analyst Since 2010
Since 2010, Frank Thomas has occasionally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago as a studio analyst during their Chicago White Sox broadcasts and other sports talk shows.
May 2011: Inducted into Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
In May 2011, Frank Thomas was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, honoring his athletic achievements in the state.
July 31, 2011: Statue Unveiling on July 31, 2011
On July 31, 2011, the White Sox unveiled a life-size bronze statue of Frank Thomas on the outfield concourse at U.S. Cellular Field.
2011: Started Big Hurt Beer
In 2011, Frank Thomas started his own craft beer company, Big Hurt Beer.
2011: Statue Unveiled
In 2011, a statue of Frank Thomas was unveiled at U.S. Cellular Field, commemorating his achievements and legacy with the White Sox.
2012: Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams Game in 2012
In 2012, Frank Thomas participated in the Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams game in Columbus, Ohio, batting cleanup and helping the Legends team win.
2013: Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams Game in 2013
In 2013, Frank Thomas participated in the Pepsi MAX Field of Dreams game in Rochester, New York.
July 27, 2014: Hall of Fame Induction on July 27, 2014
On July 27, 2014, Frank Thomas was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the White Sox, having been elected in his initial year of eligibility with 83.7% of the vote. He was the first player inducted into the Hall of Fame who played more games as a designated hitter than as a position player.
2014: Fox Sports Analyst in 2014
In 2014, Frank Thomas joined Fox Sports as a studio analyst for MLB on Fox.
2014: Hall of Fame Induction
In 2014, Frank Thomas was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, marking a significant milestone in his career and legacy.
2015: Spokesman for Nugenix
Since 2015, Frank Thomas has been a spokesman for testosterone supplement Nugenix.
July 2016: Inclusion in The Pinball Arcade in July 2016
In late July 2016, Frank Thomas' Big Hurt pinball machine was added to the pinball video game "The Pinball Arcade".
November 2016: Big Hurt Brewhouse Closed
In November 2016, Frank Thomas's brewpub, Big Hurt Brewhouse, located in Berwyn, Illinois, closed.
June 24, 2017: Mark Buehrle's Retirement Ceremony Speech on June 24, 2017
On June 24, 2017, Frank Thomas gave a speech during Mark Buehrle's White Sox #56 retirement ceremony.
2017: Criticism of Hall of Fame Elections in 2017
In 2017, Frank Thomas criticized the election of certain players to the Hall of Fame who he believed used performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), expressing unhappiness about the election of Jeff Bagwell and Iván Rodríguez.
2017: First project released under Liger Enterprises
In 2017, the first project released under the Liger Enterprises label co-founded by Frank Thomas and Ron Spaulding, was Kenny Lattimore's album, Vulnerable.
February 2018: 35 Sports Bar and Grill Closed
In February 2018, the establishment previously known as Big Hurt Brewhouse and reopened as 35 Sports Bar and Grill, closed for good.
2018: Named spokesperson for Guaranteed Rate
In 2018, Frank Thomas was named the spokesperson for Guaranteed Rate, a mortgage lender based in Chicago.
2020: Analyst role until 2020
Frank Thomas worked as a substitute color analyst for the Chicago White Sox on NBC Sports Chicago and WGN broadcasts until WGN ceased broadcasting the White Sox in 2020.
September 30, 2021: Purchased controlling interest in Go The Distance Baseball
On September 30, 2021, Frank Thomas purchased a controlling interest in Go The Distance Baseball, the company that owned the Field of Dreams in Iowa.
April 2023: Departure from Fox Sports in April 2023
In April 2023, Fox Sports announced that Frank Thomas was being replaced by Derek Jeter as a studio analyst.
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