The Mount Rushmore of White Sox
By Rob Wash
Frank Thomas, DH/ First Baseman (1990-2005)
For the last spot on my Mountain of Sox greats 2014 Hall of Fame inductee Frank Thomas will take the role of Abe Lincoln. This is the most personal pick as I had to pleasure of growing up during his reign as heavy hitting Sox DH and first baseman.
Jul 27, 2014; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame inductee Frank Thomas make his acceptance speech 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 1990s, now known as the steroid era, was an exciting time in Major League Baseball with so many incredible power hitters (ahh it all makes sense now).
Even though the decade was tainted by cheaters like Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Sammy Sosa and so on, Big Frank was never one of them and continues to be a great example of what you can achieve with a little hard work and dedication.
It all started with The Big Hurt’s first full season with the Sox in 1991. Thomas hit .318 with 35 homers, 104 runs scored, 109 RBIs and an AL leading 138 walks.
He would finish third in the voting for MVP but would receive the Silver Slugger Award for the DH position. His next year was even better. Thomas batted .323 hitting 46 home runs, driving in 115 runs, and walking 122 times not to mention giving White Sox fans a reason to watch.
From 1993-1997 Thomas earned himself a trip to the All-Star game hitting 194 homers and batting .334 in that time period. He would win two MVP awards in consecutive years (’93-’94) and then a batting title in 1997.
Thomas went on a streak of seven straight 100 RBI, 100 walk, 20 homers and .300 BA from 1991 until 1997.
However in 2000, The Big Hurt would go on to post one more of those incredible seasons giving him eight in his 19-year career and a place with baseball royalty. There are only two other players to have ever had more of these seasons than Thomas. One being Babe Ruth with 12 and the other Lou Gehrig with nine. Thomas is tied with Ted Williams and Barry Bonds who both had eight in their careers.
At the end of the day Big Frank was, for the most part, guaranteed a spot on this Mount of Sox greatness and man does he deserve it. So now the question has to be asked, who would be on your Mount Soxmore?