Frank Thomas gives emotional Hall of Fame speech

Jul 27, 2014; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson presents inductee Frank Thomas with his Hall of Fame plaque during the class of 2014 national baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

The largest man on the stage, the man with iconic nickname “The Big Hurt,” Frank Thomas gave the most emotional speech of the day when enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Jul 26, 2014; Cooperstown, NY, USA;

display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Thomas thanked many folks who were important in his life and career including managers, teammates, friends, folks within the White Sox organization, doctors, fans and of course his family.

There were many others Thomas thanked as well, including the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays, but we all know he’ll always be a White Sox player first and foremost.

I loved the emotion Thomas has with his speech, and the stories he told. Maybe that is one of the reasons why all of us followed Thomas for so many years as a player. Thomas said he “wears his heart on his sleeve.”

Thomas is the greatest player to ever wear a White Sox uniform, and he was deserving of the honor. He won two MVP awards for his play in 1993 and 1994.

“The Big Hurt” finished with 448 home runs in 16 seasons with the White Sox, and 521 career home runs in 19 total seasons in MLB, including his stops with the Athletics and Blue Jays.

Thomas also finished with a career batting average of .301.

Share your favorite memories of Thomas with us.

Congratulations to “The Big Hurt.”

Also enshrined into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday were managers Bobby Cox, Tony La Russa, Joe Torre and players Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine.