Thomas 21st player to join 500-home run club

min0 lee · 06-28-2007, 04:43 PM

He could have easily had more.

ESPN - Big Hurt gets road ovation for hitting No. 500 - MLB

Associated Press

Quote:

MINNEAPOLIS -- Frank Thomas hit his 500th home run Thursday, routinely putting his head down as he rounded the bases while joining one of baseball's most elite clubs.

Thomas became the 21st major leaguer to reach the career mark, a milestone that has usually meant an eventual spot in the Hall of Fame.

Toronto's designated hitter hit a three-run shot in the first inning, connecting against Minnesota's Carlos Silva and sending a 1-2 pitch an estimated 396 feet into the left-field stands.

Todd Eisenlohr, sitting in the fifth row and wearing a jersey of Twins player Jason Bartlett, caught the ball in his glove.

"I lost it in the roof as it was coming down," Eisenlohr said. He said he traded the souvenir ball for an autographed ball, bat and jersey.

The Metrodome crowd gave Thomas a standing ovation.
The two-time American League MVP took his home run trot and then pointed toward the suites down the right-field line when he crossed the plate as Toronto players spilled out of the dugout to congratulate him.

That Thomas did it in the Metrodome was fitting. He hit his first career home run at the ballpark against Gary Wayne while with the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 28, 1990. Thomas has 16 homers overall at the stadium.

The 39-year-old Thomas is in his first season with the Blue Jays. He played last year in Oakland.

Next on Thomas' ascent on the career home run list are Eddie Murray (504), Mel Ott (511) and Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews (512 each). Also within reach of 500 this year are Alex Rodriguez, Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez.

Thomas entered Thursday with four home runs in his previous 10 games. He has 13 this season. This was his second lifetime homer off Silva.

The Big Hurt has hit 50 career homers against the Twins, his most against any team and the most by an active player against Minnesota. Rocky Colavito hit 52 against the Twins and Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson each hit 51.

The seventh overall pick by the White Sox in 1989, Thomas spent 16 years in Chicago and established many franchise bests, including 448 home runs, 1,465 RBIs and 3,949 total bases. His .427 on-base percentage and .568 slugging percentage are also franchise bests.

But an injured ankle limited Thomas to 108 games in his final two seasons and led to a falling-out with the team.

After joining Oakland as a free agent, Thomas hit 39 home runs and drove in 114 runs last year in helping the A's reach the AL championship series. He signed with the Blue Jays as a free agent on Nov. 17, 2006.

**IainDaniel** · 06-29-2007, 04:11 AM

Yeah I missed it

Why couldn't he hit it one of the last four games?

Pretty cool that his 1st career homerun was hit in Minny and his 500th.

Then he got the boot for arguing balls and strikes LOL

**IainDaniel** · 06-29-2007, 04:33 AM

Big night last night. Craig Biggio also hit career hit #3000

shiznit2169 · 06-29-2007, 10:37 AM

Thomas must be the 1st player to get his 500th HR and then get thrown out in the same game. He argued over a call that was CLEARLY a strike. It was right down the middle of the plate!

Malley · 06-29-2007, 10:39 AM

So the question: Does he go into the hall now?

oaktownboy · 06-29-2007, 11:16 AM

too bad he had to leave Oakland

soxmuscle · 06-29-2007, 11:16 AM

You got to love that despite hitting his 500th which is a remarkable personal feat, he was still jawing and doing all he could to get his team a W.

Malley · 06-29-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double D

So the question: Does he go into the hall now?

So.....

Triple Threat · 06-29-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double D

So the question: Does he go into the hall now?

I would say yes. In addition to his HRs, his lifetime average is over .300.

Malley · 06-29-2007, 11:22 AM

That is true. So does the same go for Fred McGriff? His lifetime average is around .285.

**IainDaniel** · 06-29-2007, 12:14 PM

Thomas. Yes! If he keeps hitting like he is, he won't have a .300 career average by the end of the season.

McGriff, No! not in the 500 club. .284 BA.

Malley · 06-29-2007, 12:19 PM

Hes got like 490! I think that gets him into the hall!

**IainDaniel** · 06-29-2007, 12:21 PM

nope. I don't think he should get in on homeruns alone.

.284 BA is not Hall worthy.

Malley · 06-29-2007, 12:22 PM

What about 490 and the world knows hes clean!

soxmuscle · 06-29-2007, 12:23 PM

Frank Thomas is in the Hall, I think.

Malley · 06-29-2007, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxmuscle

Frank Thomas is in the Hall, I think.

I agree.....simply because him and junior were baseball in the mid 90's.

**IainDaniel** · 06-29-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double D

What about 490 and the world knows hes clean!

We don't know anyone is clean from this era.

490 is great. But one stat shouldn't make a hall of famer.

Malley · 06-29-2007, 12:29 PM

Yes they should simply because a leadoff hitter doesnt hit for power, but if he has a career average for 15 years of 320 he makes the hall, and thats because he knew his roll. His roll is hit for average, McGriff's is to hit for power.

soxmuscle · 06-29-2007, 12:33 PM

The Crime Dog fights crime, he doesn't commit them. He didn't take steroids.

**IainDaniel** · 06-29-2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double D

Yes they should simply because a leadoff hitter doesnt hit for power, but if he has a career average for 15 years of 320 he makes the hall, and thats because he knew his roll. His roll is hit for average, McGriff's is to hit for power.

That is fine. I think the Hall is too lenient on who gets in. I don't think players with one stat hall worthy should be inducted.

He was a good player. I loved him with the Jays. Good steal from the Yanks.

Malley · 06-29-2007, 12:46 PM

I loved him with the Bravos.....

**IainDaniel** · 06-29-2007, 01:21 PM

Bravos? Oh god are you a Braves fan?!?!?!

Malley · 06-29-2007, 01:23 PM

I liked em when they had Chipper, Gant, and McGriff. While chipper is still there the others werent. I also liked Smoltz, Avery, Glavine, and Maddux. Now that was a staff! And Wohlers as their closer.....they were good!

**IainDaniel** · 06-29-2007, 01:25 PM

Almost as good as the Jays

Now that was a team

Malley · 06-29-2007, 01:30 PM

Didnt the Jays beat em that year? Wasnt it Carter with a walk off homer?

**IainDaniel** · 06-29-2007, 01:34 PM

The Walk-off was against the Phillies in '93. Basically ended the Career of Mitch Williams who was meant to be a great closer.

**IainDaniel** · 06-29-2007, 01:35 PM

Jays beat atlanta in 92.

06-29-2007, 04:11 AM	#2
IainDaniel My Role Model Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 15,623	Yeah I missed it Why couldn't he hit it one of the last four games? Pretty cool that his 1st career homerun was hit in Minny and his 500th. Then he got the boot for arguing balls and strikes LOL Last edited by IainDaniel : 06-29-2007 at 04:39 AM.
	Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

06-29-2007, 10:37 AM	#4
shiznit2169 flawless Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,076 Photos: 1	Thomas must be the 1st player to get his 500th HR and then get thrown out in the same game. He argued over a call that was CLEARLY a strike. It was right down the middle of the plate!
	My Journal

06-29-2007, 10:39 AM	#5
Malley Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,008	So the question: Does he go into the hall now?
	www.crossfit.com

06-29-2007, 11:16 AM	#6
oaktownboy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: smog and fog Posts: 4,387	too bad he had to leave Oakland
	Chuck Norris once lost his keys and couldn't remember where he put them. So he tortured himself for half an hour until he gave up their location.

06-29-2007, 11:16 AM	#7
soxmuscle do work son Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: I will eat your face Posts: 8,286 Photos: 10	You got to love that despite hitting his 500th which is a remarkable personal feat, he was still jawing and doing all he could to get his team a W.
	Age: 20 \| Height: 5'7" \| Weight: 150 lbs \| Penis: 12 inches

06-29-2007, 04:33 AM	#3
IainDaniel My Role Model Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 15,623	Big night last night. Craig Biggio also hit career hit #3000
	Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

06-29-2007, 11:22 AM	#10
Malley Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,008	That is true. So does the same go for Fred McGriff? His lifetime average is around .285.
	www.crossfit.com

06-29-2007, 12:14 PM	#11
IainDaniel My Role Model Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 15,623	Thomas. Yes! If he keeps hitting like he is, he won't have a .300 career average by the end of the season. McGriff, No! not in the 500 club. .284 BA.
	Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

06-29-2007, 12:19 PM	#12
Malley Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,008	Hes got like 490! I think that gets him into the hall!
	www.crossfit.com

06-29-2007, 12:21 PM	#13
IainDaniel My Role Model Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 15,623	nope. I don't think he should get in on homeruns alone. .284 BA is not Hall worthy.
	Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

06-29-2007, 12:22 PM	#14
Malley Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,008	What about 490 and the world knows hes clean!
	www.crossfit.com

06-29-2007, 12:23 PM	#15
soxmuscle do work son Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: I will eat your face Posts: 8,286 Photos: 10	Frank Thomas is in the Hall, I think.
	Age: 20 \| Height: 5'7" \| Weight: 150 lbs \| Penis: 12 inches

06-29-2007, 12:29 PM	#18
Malley Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,008	Yes they should simply because a leadoff hitter doesnt hit for power, but if he has a career average for 15 years of 320 he makes the hall, and thats because he knew his roll. His roll is hit for average, McGriff's is to hit for power.
	www.crossfit.com

06-29-2007, 12:33 PM	#19
soxmuscle do work son Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: I will eat your face Posts: 8,286 Photos: 10	The Crime Dog fights crime, he doesn't commit them. He didn't take steroids.
	Age: 20 \| Height: 5'7" \| Weight: 150 lbs \| Penis: 12 inches

06-29-2007, 12:46 PM	#21
Malley Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,008	I loved him with the Bravos.....
	www.crossfit.com

06-29-2007, 01:21 PM	#22
IainDaniel My Role Model Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 15,623	Bravos? Oh god are you a Braves fan?!?!?!
	Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

06-29-2007, 01:23 PM	#23
Malley Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,008	I liked em when they had Chipper, Gant, and McGriff. While chipper is still there the others werent. I also liked Smoltz, Avery, Glavine, and Maddux. Now that was a staff! And Wohlers as their closer.....they were good!
	www.crossfit.com

06-29-2007, 01:25 PM	#24
IainDaniel My Role Model Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 15,623	Almost as good as the Jays Now that was a team
	Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

06-29-2007, 01:30 PM	#25
Malley Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,008	Didnt the Jays beat em that year? Wasnt it Carter with a walk off homer?
	www.crossfit.com

06-29-2007, 01:34 PM	#26
IainDaniel My Role Model Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 15,623	The Walk-off was against the Phillies in '93. Basically ended the Career of Mitch Williams who was meant to be a great closer.
	Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

06-29-2007, 01:35 PM	#27
IainDaniel My Role Model Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 15,623	Jays beat atlanta in 92.
	Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

06-29-2007, 01:38 PM	#28
Malley Senior Member Elite Member