Frank Thomas Biography

Fast Facts

• Named the MVP of the SEC during his senior year of college
• Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in January of 2014 during his first year of eligibility
• Earned a football scholarship to Auburn University in 1986, where he quickly joined the school's baseball team as well
• Quote: "Not getting drafted out of high school was the worst moment of my life at that time because I knew that I was much better than pretty much half that draft․"
• Quote: "[Regarding the retirement of his jersey number by the White Sox] "Eighteen years in the game and 16 [in Chicago], it brought back a lot of memories․ I am a very proud man and this probably was the proudest day of my life․""
• Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the first round of the 1989 Draft
• Officially retired on February 12, 2010
• Earned the nickname "The Big Hurt" during the 1992 season
• Would routinely swing a piece of rebar while warming up in the on-deck circle
• His jersey number was retired by the Chicago White Sox, where he played a majority of his career, following his retirement
• Was the first Columbus, Ga․, native inducted into any of the professional sports halls of fame