Full Court Press

I've resigned to the fact that Frank's time with the Sox is over, because I knew it was coming for a couple of years. We know that Frank still had some quality years left in him, so I actually felt vindicated for Frank knowing that he could still play. The guy caught so many bad breaks the last couple of years, and everyone's been picking on him while he struggles back to form, although even he acknowledges he'll never be the Big Hurt again. Only in our memories. So let him hit 2 more home runs for the rest of this series... as long as the Sox still win!

I got my wish. Frank has a great game and the White Sox still win. I hope it happens the whole series.

Amen J.D. Couldn't have asked for a better game. I'm glad the old Frank showed up...even if it was just for a night. I'm also glad he took the high road when it came to Ken Williams. Unfortunately, Kenny is still sniping and acting like a 7 year old. He's a very savvy GM, but he needs to shut up about Frank...especially when Frank stopped talking months ago. Act like an executive and not some jilted exgirlfriend.

I couldn't agree with you more Dave. Frank brought back memories of all his years in a Sox uniform as The Big Hurt. For one night he re-affirmed his place in Sox history as the greatest player ever. We'll see him in Cooperstown with a Sox cap on just like it should be. Thanks for all the memories Frank

I agree with you all. It was great to see Frank have success against us AND we still won the game. I have always been a Big Hurt fan and never understood the ungliness that surrounded Frank. 16 years is a long time and Frank knows very few players have played at his high of level AND stayed with the same team their whole career. I think it was his wish and when he didn't get it he was understandbly upset. KW's reaction, was in a word - SAD. GMs should be well above that sort of yakkity yak. With that said, I wonder what Frank did internally to be so disliked. It seems like so many ex Sox are working in the organization, what did Frank do to get banished? It's weird if you ask me, but hopefully after time passes we will see him back on the South side as a hitting coach or something.

I was proud of the way the fans reacted to Frank's return. It just goes to show, the perception of the fans is the only one that counts. The thrill of watching Frank play got us through the lean years when the Sox couldn't win. Kenny Williams is an executive and a good one, but he needs to understand what Frank has meant to Sox fans in this city and get over himself. Bottom line, executives come and go but Frank Thomas will always be a White Sox player in the hearts of the fans.

it reminds me of Fisk. kicked out by the organiztion, but after a couple years brought back as a hero.

Too-Shay! Ditto! and I agree with all said.

Actually, Kenny Williams is the one who looks like the "idiot", as he continues with his immature antics. He stooped to a low level when he attacked Frank Thomas personally. Frank was righteously indignant over the way they ended his tenure with the Sox. I mean, a message on the voicemail saying something to the effect that "you're fired"? This is what he deserves after 16 years with the organization? C'ommon! How many of us would have liked that? Jerry Reinsdorf is also responsible in this whole fiasco, letting Williams do his dirty work. Reinsdorf should have personally called Frank to let him know that they were letting him go. Both Reinsdorf and Williams should have publically apologized to Frank for the way the whole thing was handled. Instead, this whole thing has exposed the Whitesox as a classless organization. They may have the trophy, but they have lost respect from many for the way they treated Thomas, the best player in their history. There is a right way and a wrong way to treat people. Williams and Reinsdorf chose the wrong way, and their foolish arrogance was evident.

Wow! It seems the REAL disconnect is between the media and how they reported Frank's relationship with Chicago.

If you listen to them, the fans HATED Big Frank and is glad he's gone.

It didn't look like that on Monday, nor the other games.

The thing that bothers me is that all the "Frank-haters" label him as selfish and whinny for wanting more money several years ago. Hello people! He is the greatest player in the history of Southside baseball! Two (should have been three) time MVP, and never earned anything close to what he deserved. Concerned with personal glory? Darn right, and who ever bought a Sox ticket in the 90's hoping to see Frank advance a runner? I love Frank Thomas and miss him dearly.

Granted all of the hall of famers that played for Reinstorf at times could be a challenge. But, Look at how Fisk, Pippen, Thomas and even Jordan- All left under less than graceful terms. It would seem the bottom line is when your salary demand is higher than your talent or the team is going young you are gone regardless of the past. Is this what the fans/customers want? Is it just win baby or do we want to keep our aging stars to the end?

I agree with you St. Louis. The WhiteSox is a classless bunch, especially the brainless, thickheaded, and moronic Kenny Williams. For years, Frank Thomas was the only reason why anyone would go to a WhiteSox game. How quickly they forget!

I always liked Frank and have several pieces of memorabilia signed by him, but I think the Sox did do alot to honor him last year. Reinsdorf has always been good to him & he even said he was like a father. Yes some players left with hard feelings but they came back, as Frank will, and look how many former players are now involved in the organization. I do think
Kenny W. is taking things personal when he should understand that Frank was upset because he just didn't want to leave.

Let's not forget that Frank was clean while putting up these gawdy numbers, by all accounts. Even his detractors have been willing to admit that he's a guy no one has whispered about when it comes to steroids. I find it ironic now that Thomas had a pretty rough ride during his tenure here, while Sosa was heaped with adulation and love. History will be much more kind to Frank's legacy than Sosa's. The re-writing of their histories is already beginning, it seems to me.

Someone mentioned Reinsdorf and if you ask me he's the source. Is it coincidence that both the Bulls and Sox have treated our greatest players ever in a shabby way? He obviously defers to his GMs, regardless of their mistakes. I admire loyalty, but it is a civic embarrasment that Michael Jordon isn't a Chicago staple and face of the Bulls franchise. I say the same about Thomas. For me, he was the Sox. Him Baines, Ozzie, Cora. That was a great assemblage of likable players and its a travisty that Thomas is not here among them.

What is Kenny Williams problem? Why does he seem to have such a big chip on his shoulder when it comes to Frank? Maybe he's jealous of the fact that he wasn't half the player that Frank Thomas was.

As for Jerry Reinsdorf, he's a proud and stubborn control-freak who will never admit that he's wrong. Observe carefully, and you'll realize that Reinsdorf is only loyal to people who are willing to be his puppets. Michael Jordan and Frank Thomas are Chicago's icons and will never be anyone's puppets. Therefore, it's doubtful if they will ever be involved in a
Reinsdorf-owned team in any meaningful way.

Some of the criticism of Reinsdorf maybe just, but the fact is in this sports challenged town he is by far the best owner & in terms of championships the most successful & most of his ballplayers seem to like him. Even Frank this week said "Jerry is like a father to me."

Jerry Reinsdorf's silence throughout this whole shameful debacle speaks volume about his passive-aggressive style of letting someone else be the fall guy. Even though Ken Williams' disturbing public outburst was unbecoming of a GM, Reinsdorf has done nothing to put a lid on this guy nor to improve the public's perception of the WhiteSox. Lets not forget that it was Reindorf who essentially forced Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson out of Chicago by being "loyal" to one of his cronies, Jerry Krause.

I am so glad the fans are seeing Kenny williams for what he is a childish person.I never blamed Frank Thomas for the controversy even though he could have responded at times a little better.I always felt Williams had a chip on HIS shoulder not Frank!He (williams) appears to be playing some sort of he said ,she said type of game (very mature)Im glad he had a good return to Chicago but like others im glad the Sox won.I wish Frank the best of luck as I wish the SOX the same.

Living in Missouri and going to KC to see my favorite team The Sox now for 51 years and Frank couldn't have been more gracious ,smiling and saying hello to my wife who thinks he is a great person, "so nice" and would come over by the dugout and sign authographs.
Frank has fans all over the Major league cities.

I will slways be a fan of Frank. I think the Sox really bent over backward to make him a part of the championship run. Could they have handled his departure better? No doubt!
Kenny W. should have taken the high road. That said Kenny W. is an excellent general manager who brought us a championship and is always trying to improve the team. I'm glad we have him & I'm also glad that Frank is starting to hit. GO SOX!

It is gratifying to see that there are actually thinking Sox fans out there who appreciate what Frank did for this team through the years, and how much crap he withstood with Jerry's idiotic moves during the 90s that cost this team at least 2 division titles AND 2 more shots at the World Series. Frank deserved better managers, better teammates, better upper management during his prime years, AND, he certainly deserved more than a voice mail "you're gone" from Williams. The adolescent excuses from Kenny since then take away from a brilliant season, and it just goes to show you that no matter what the GM and the owners do, the players still make it happen, and Frank has ALWAYS made things happen on the field, period!

I am a 54-year old South Sider now living in Charlotte, NC. I have been a Frank Thomas supporter from his first days with the club. I, too, knew his time in Chicago had run its course, but that doesn't mean I liked it or the way he was thrown under the bus by Williams and Reinsdorf... My greatest sports thrill of all time was seeing the White Sox take it all last year. The only think that tempered my joy was that Frank was injured and couldn't take full part in it. I know how much the title meant to him, and how much he meant to us Sox fans. I'm glad to see him do well in Oakland. Thome is a great addition to this year's team, and I'm glad he is here, but I SURE MISS FRANK!

Chicago's loss is our gain in Oakland! The big hurt instantly became my favorite Athletic! I've been following the Big Hurt since he started MLB in the early nineties and had a poster of him when I was only about 12. I hope he stays with the A's for a couple more years. Why not go for 20 years in the MLB?