Frank Thomas HOF Discussion Thread

[rdivaldi]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jinx

It isn't fair, but it is the reality due to the era he played in.

True, but I wish the story would get out. A quick google search brings up the team's stance back in 2003, but I doubt that many writers will bother doing research.

[WhiteSox5187]

Originally Posted by rdivaldi

True, but I wish the story would get out. A quick google search brings up the team's stance back in 2003, but I doubt that many writers will bother doing research.

Every writer on MLB Network was saying that Frank would get in on the first ballot. The only guy who said he wouldn't was Mitch Williams, as covered earlier in the thread. Writers tend to have a long memory and I think they will remember Frank's early stance against steroids.

[TDog]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jinx

It isn't fair, but it is the reality due to the era he played in.

Or more accurately, the ignorance of Frank Thomas as a player, which is going to happen when people only look at numbers. He had these numbers, this is when he played so he is suspect. The numbers posted in the steroids era don't constitute Hall of Fame qualifications any more than Barry Bonds is beloved by fans as the all-time home run champ. And, sadly, players overshadowed by the performance-enhancers are forgotten.

Baseball writers are supposed to know better, but many of them don't even cover the games anymore. There was a columnist in Costra County, California (A's country, and, of course, the Oakland was ground zero for steroid use for a very long time) who wrote a column alleging that Frank Thomas was a 'roider. I think the whole diminished-sills thing was where he made his numbers-based argument. That was before Thomas signed with the A's.

I used to believe that Frank Thomas wouldn't get into the Hall of Fame n his first year of eligibility. Outside of Chicago and even among many White Sox fans, he was considered something of a whiner. He wasn't respected enough to win the MVP in 2000, which he deserved even before Jason Giambi's secret came out. And Thomas was considered a whiney DH to boot.

But I think Thomas is more respected now than when he finished his career, a bit later than he should have. At the end with Oakland, he didn't have much left. Fans do care about performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. They didn't when it was most prevalent, but that is because they really weren't aware of it. I think Thomas will stand out as the anti-'roider when he appears on the ballot. I think he will be appreciated for that and his accomplishments, what he meant for the game.

[comiskey2000]

Originally Posted by TDog

But I think Thomas is more respected now than when he finished his career, a bit later than he should have. At the end with Oakland, he didn't have much left. Fans do care about performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. They didn't when it was most prevalent, but that is because they really weren't aware of it. I think Thomas will stand out as the anti-'roider when he appears on the ballot. I think he will be appreciated for that and his accomplishments, what he meant for the game.

In 2006 with the A's, Frank hit 39 HR and 114 RBI. 4th in MVP. Not bad at all!

[SephClone89]

Originally Posted by comiskey2000

In 2006 with the A's, Frank hit 39 HR and 114 RBI. 4th in MVP. Not bad at all!

I think he's referring to his return to Oakland in '08.

[TDog]

Originally Posted by SephClone89

I think he's referring to his return to Oakland in '08.

Indeed I was. Thomas' second stint with the A's at the end of his career was the end that I was referring to.

[voodoochile]

If Frank doesn't make the HOF on the first ballot they should shut the ****er down.

I actually think he will be helped by the fact he was a clean player in a dirty era.

[Frater Perdurabo]

Originally Posted by voodoochile

If Frank doesn't make the HOF on the first ballot they should shut the ****er down.

I will burn with the fury of a thousand suns if Frank does not get inducted next year. Any writer who does not vote for him (or Maddux, for that matter) ought to have his/her eyeballs gouged with flaming pokers.

[spawn]

Originally Posted by voodoochile

If Frank doesn't make the HOF on the first ballot they should shut the ****er down.

I actually think he will be helped by the fact he was a clean player in a dirty era.

Roberto Alomar didn't get in his first year, and he is considered one of the best second basemen to ever play the game. Not saying it would be right, but I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't get in on the first ballot. HOF voting is a joke.

[DSpivack]

Originally Posted by voodoochile

If Frank doesn't make the HOF on the first ballot they should shut the ****er down.

I actually think he will be helped by the fact he was a clean player in a dirty era.

What might be problematic is that many voters are morons when it comes to the sport and don't accept that the DH was put into place 40 years ago. I can see that hurting Frank, as well as next year's class being a very crowded.

Also, the HOF is already a joke. Phil Rizzuto is a HOFer.

[LITTLE NELL]

Originally Posted by spawn

Roberto Alomar didn't get in his first year, and he is considered one of the best second basemen to ever play the game. Not saying it would be right, but I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't get in on the first ballot. HOF voting is a joke.

The spitting incident with the umpire probably hurt Alomar's chances of a first year election but you are right, the voting is a joke.

[mahagga73]

Originally Posted by DSpivack

What might be problematic is that many voters are morons when it comes to the sport and don't accept that the DH was put into place 40 years ago. I can see that hurting Frank, as well as next year's class being a very crowded.

Also, the HOF is already a joke. Phil Rizzuto is a HOFer.

I bet the local businesses are poed. The writers stupidity is going to cost them big this year.

[A. Cavatica]

There's a year for Frank and his agent to wage a PR campaign. Most people don't know his history with testing.

[rdivaldi]

Originally Posted by WhiteSox5187

Every writer on MLB Network was saying that Frank would get in on the first ballot. The only guy who said he wouldn't was Mitch Williams, as covered earlier in the thread. Writers tend to have a long memory and I think they will remember Frank's early stance against steroids.

I hope you're right because the man deserves to walk with the greats of the game.

Originally Posted by A. Cavatica

There's a year for Frank and his agent to wage a PR campaign. Most people don't know his history with testing.

This is exactly what concerns me. This is a story worth repeating.

[voodoochile]

Originally Posted by spawn

Roberto Alomar didn't get in his first year, and he is considered one of the best second basemen to ever play the game. Not saying it would be right, but I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't get in on the first ballot. HOF voting is a joke.

That's a travesty. A serious argument can be made that Alomar was the best 2B to ever play the game.