*Official* Matt Thornton Appreciation Thread

[voodoochile]

Guy was a solid reliever for several years with the team. It was time to part ways, but he did his job and had some horrible luck at times too.

Good luck in Boston, Matt.

[shingo10]

Had a stretch where he was darn near unhittable. Unfortunately the experiment of him as closer didn't go so well (some of it thanks to horrible defense...looking at you Juan Pierre) but these past few seasons he has been extremely frustrating to watch pitch.

Good luck in Boston Matt.

[Marqhead]

At his peak he was one of the best lefties in the game. I used to love watched him pitch as it always seemed effortless while hitting 97-98 on the gun. Lately he's frustrated the hell out of me, but he had a solid career as a White Sox.

[winstonage]

Originally Posted by Marqhead

At his peak he was one of the best lefties in the game. I used to love watched him pitch as it always seemed effortless while hitting 97-98 on the gun. Lately he's frustrated the hell out of me, but he had a solid career as a White Sox.

He should have been used as a LOOGY the last couple of years, can't get right handers out anymore.

[Soxman219]

That all-star game and the closer experiment hurt him, but when he was on, he was dominant.

[Brian26]

Originally Posted by voodoochile

Guy was a solid reliever for several years with the team. It was time to part ways, but he did his job and had some horrible luck at times too.

Good luck in Boston, Matt.

It is very rare for a reliever to stick around on the same team for seven years. He was a good pickup for Kenny. We got him for Borchard, right?

[WhiteSox5187]

Originally Posted by Soxman219

That all-star game and the closer experiment hurt him, but when he was on, he was dominant.

He hurt his elbow in 2010 and was never the same. But there was a period of time from like 2008 until he got hurt where he was one of the best middle relievers in the game.

[PaleHoser]

He was free and easy tossing 98, and a lot of fun to watch when he was on. Seven seasons pitching in relief with the same club. You just don't see that much anymore.

And let's not forget getting him from Seattle was one of Kenny Williams best trades.

Best of luck in Boston.

[Madvora]

Originally Posted by Brian26

It is very rare for a reliever to stick around on the same team for seven years. He was a good pickup for Kenny. We got him for Borchard, right?

The most lopsided trade I could think of. My memories of this guy will be positive. He was a damn good pitcher for us.

[Boondock Saint]

He was awesome until Brian McCann shredded him in the All-Star game.

But we got about five really good years out of a guy we got for Joe Borchard. So thanks for that.

[soxfanreggie]

Originally Posted by Brian26

It is very rare for a reliever to stick around on the same team for seven years. He was a good pickup for Kenny. We got him for Borchard, right?

You're right, we did get a lot out of him, especially at the beginning. Thank you Matt for all your contributions!

[soxnut1018]

It's rare for a bullpen pitcher to have a run of effectiveness for as long as Thornton did. When he was at his peak, he was the best lefty reliever in the game. And for what it's worth, he always seemed like a good guy.

[JB98]

Originally Posted by WhiteSox5187

He hurt his elbow in 2010 and was never the same. But there was a period of time from like 2008 until he got hurt where he was one of the best middle relievers in the game.

No question. He was solid for the Sox from the time of his acquisition until he got hurt in 2010. He's been in decline since, although he's still reasonably useful.

The Sox held on to him for a little too long, IMO, but overall, he was a good reliever for this team for a long time.

[SephClone89]

One of the best relievers in Sox history. Enough said.

[StillMissOzzie]

When he was on, he was great. When he was not, and when he was a closer, and much of this year, he was not. But as others have said, getting several good years from Thornton for Borchard was definitely a plus for the Sox. Good luck with the change of laundry, Matt. Out of the cellar and into the penthouse.

SMO