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Sunday, July 06, 2008

Ex-Sox Frank Thomas hopes for retired ‘35’

Just as Dick Kenworthy feels he’s uhh, worthy...ok, guess not.

And that brings us to Frank Thomas, the greatest hitter in White Sox history, who had a running media battle with the Sox when he was dumped after the 2005 season. But Thomas says now he would like to see his No. 35 be painted on the outfield wall near Fisk’s.

“Of course I would,” he said. “All the shenanigans that have gone on, that’s over in my mind. When you played 16 years like I did, saying goodbye is always going to be tough. I realize that now.

“I’m not a kid now; I’m 40 years old. So I respect and understand what went on. But you can’t take away what happened here for 16 years. This town made me, this organization made me. So there’s no disrespect at all.”

Thomas, now with the A’s, leads the Sox all-time in doubles, home runs, runs and walks. He said if he goes into the Hall of Fame, it will be in a White Sox hat. He says he and Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf “are fine and there’s no problem.”

“For me, I was upset that year [I left],” he said. “It’s over. You move on.”

Repoz Posted: July 06, 2008 at 08:18 AM | 8 comment(s)
  Related News: GeneralChi White Sox

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   1. Does Aaron Hill Have To Smack A Pitch? Posted: July 06, 2008 at 10:35 AM (#2845345)
If they retired Harold Baines' number, they sure as hell better retire Frank Thomas' number.
   2. Aspiring One-Armed Economist (6 - 4 - 3) Posted: July 06, 2008 at 10:39 AM (#2845349)
I didn't even realize that this was up for discussion.
   3. Jeff K. Posted: July 06, 2008 at 11:54 AM (#2845388)
I didn't even realize that this was up for discussion.

I would hope (and assume) that, assuming he's still around, Kenny Williams is big enough to push this regardless of how the whole thing ended. Even if he didn't really want to, I've not seen indications that he is brain damaged, which he would have to be to try to get in the way of it.
   4. hscs Posted: July 06, 2008 at 12:09 PM (#2845401)
I would hope (and assume) that, assuming he's still around, Kenny Williams is big enough to push this regardless of how the whole thing ended.

Yeah, it's safe to say everything will be fine. I hope they build a statue of Kenny chasing Frank around the spring training parking lot to commemorate the era.
   5. asinwreck Posted: July 06, 2008 at 01:26 PM (#2845478)
Reinsdorf will no doubt have a Frank Thomas Night when the big guy retires, and the number will be retired then. I would be shocked if anyone got that number in the interim.

If I recall correctly, Ozzie Guillen himself noted (when Kenny and Frank were attacking each other) that he and Fisk had acrimonious splits with the Sox when they were released. Ozzie remarked that the bad feelings had blown over for him, and they eventually would with Frank.

I can see Frank Thomas joining the White Sox Speakers' Bureau after his playing days are over. I would love to see him become a hitting instructor as there's anecdotal evidence that he helped make his teammates (specifically Uribe in his first season with the Sox) better hitters.
   6. asinwreck Posted: July 06, 2008 at 01:38 PM (#2845485)
Scott Merkin was just on the pre-game and said that when he spoke to Reinsdorf last year about Thomas that Thomas would "get his statue, get his number retired when his playing days are over." Sounds like a non-controversy, even if Kenny holds a grudge.
   7. Jeff K. Posted: July 06, 2008 at 01:44 PM (#2845491)
Scott Merkin was just on the pre-game and said that when he spoke to Reinsdorf last year about Thomas that Thomas would "get his statue, get his number retired when his playing days are over." Sounds like a non-controversy, even if Kenny holds a grudge.

Well, it could be that they recognize they have to do it, and they're going to do that, but that's it and then they're done with him for good. I'm not saying that's what it means, but I don't think that statement necessarily rules it out.
   8. Jimmy P Posted: July 06, 2008 at 03:42 PM (#2845718)
I would hope (and assume) that, assuming he's still around, Kenny Williams is big enough to push this regardless of how the whole thing ended. Even if he didn't really want to, I've not seen indications that he is brain damaged, which he would have to be to try to get in the way of it.

It'll be retired eventually, it's just how long and how much do they piss Frank off. They sure as hell pissed Fisk off after he retired.
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