Frank Thomas: MVP runner-up in 2000

Apr 1, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox veteran Frank Thomas prior to a game against the Kansas City Royals at US Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Frank Thomas will officially be enshrined into the Hall of Fame this Sunday, and since we are looking back at some of the greatest moments and seasons, let’s continue “Big Hurt Week” with a look at the 2000 season.

The new millennium began off pretty well for the White Sox. They finished the season with the AL Central championship with an overall mark of 95-67 and saw Thomas have one of his best seasons in baseball.

Thomas was the runner-up for the Most Valuable Player award in the American League in ’00, but he did win what was his final Silver Slugger award, the fourth of his career.

For Thomas in ’00, he hit for a .328 batting average in 159 games played. That season, Thomas also had an on-base percentage of .436 and a .625 slugging percentage.

In 582 at-bats, “The Big Hurt” tallied 143 RBIs and scored 115 runs in 191 hits (44 doubles, 43 home runs). Thomas also walked 112 times and even stole a base.

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Currently, no member of the White Sox is on pace to get to those type of numbers this season, and though the BBWAA voted Jason Giambi as the AL MVP in ’00. I’ll always believe Thomas was more deserving of the honor.

Anyway, this week is about Thomas, and he’s getting the ultimate honor this weekend as he’ll be one of the rare MLB players to earn a spot in the Hall.

This was the only season where Thomas finished as the runner-up for the MVP, but he did finish in third on two occasions in ’91 and ’97.

Thomas won the MVP in ’93 and ’94.

The year 2000 was a great way for Thomas to begin his 10th full season in the Majors, and it was a big reason he eventually became not only the greatest player to wear a White Sox uniform, but a first-ballot Hall of Famer.