Frank Thomas and Steroids

[CubRock2]

Since I'm trashing a former Sox great, I figures this thought goes here.

 

No facts, just speculating. I want to be clear from the get-go. How many injuries has he had the last 6-8 years? How freaking massive is he? I know he always has, but you don't think that was a possibility while he was in Collged, during the McGwire/Canseco boom? Isn't his head massive, too, which is allegedly typical of abusers?

 

I'm not providing any rock-solid evidence here, but if "good" players like Pujols and Sweeney can be trashed around, why not the Big Wuss? He seems to have avoided this discussion all together, and Sox fans can't even contemplate the possibility. Has this thought passed through anyone elses mind?

[Geech]

He still has a ton of power, though. If he was juicing, he's done a hell of a job maintaining his gains.

[rocket]

has frank thomas ever been skinny, like bonds? i think he's just genetically big.

[Flames24Rulz]

He was a TE at Auburn. He's always been huge from what I've heard. Edited June 16, 2006 by Flames24Rulz

[Transmogrified Tiger]

This is the part where tree says that if we were able to tell who was on steroids by looking at them, then we wouldn't need testing.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

He was a TE at LSU. He's always been huge from what I've heard.

 

Auburn

[Flames24Rulz]

He was a TE at LSU. He's always been huge from what I've heard.

 

Auburn

 

Correct.

 

I better edit that before Vance sees that :oops:

[CubRock2]

This is the part where tree says that if we were able to tell who was on steroids by looking at them, then we wouldn't need testing.

 

But I'm not just looking at him. His production has dropped some recently, and he's been frequently hurt the last 6-8 years.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

He was a TE at Auburn. He's always been huge from what I've heard.

 

Here he is at Auburn. So he was a big boy in college. Not that this makes him either guilty or innocent, but thought I'd post it.

 

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j163/Niner74/FrankThomas.jpg

[rocket]

This is the part where tree says that if we were able to tell who was on steroids by looking at them, then we wouldn't need testing.

 

But I'm not just looking at him. His production has dropped some recently, and he's been frequently hurt the last 6-8 years.

 

he's 38 years old. and his body type is probably more prone to injuries.

[Brian]

This is the part where tree says that if we were able to tell who was on steroids by looking at them, then we wouldn't need testing.

 

But I'm not just looking at him. His production has dropped some recently, and he's been frequently hurt the last 6-8 years.

 

he's 38 years old. and his body type is probably more prone to injuries.

 

Exactly, guys that big (natural or un-natural) bodies break down alot easier then smaller guys.

 

He's definately getting to be close to the end. I was watching the A's game yesterday (A's are getting most of my focus now) and he just crushed one of the top of te wall at the Coloseum just missing a HR it was the 3rd inning and he only went to first and was PR for.

[Andy]

I've always found it odd how Frank Thomas is the only person that testified at the Congressional hearing who's basically completely escaped any speculation. Even Schill has been needled by some as a juicer (pun intended) but Thomas always slides under the "he was always big" defense. I'll never forget what a joke I thought it was that he wasn't actually going under the excuse of a foot injury that would be aggravated by flying. Ridiculous.

[BigSlick]

I just don't think he juiced.

 

Can't some people have some integrity?

[soapy]

Hasn't he been one of the more outspoken critics of steroids in the past? Not that it means he didn't do it, but I seem to remember him throwing a fit saying everyone was juicing (except him) back in the late 90's.

[CubinNY]

This is the part where tree says that if we were able to tell who was on steroids by looking at them, then we wouldn't need testing.

 

But I'm not just looking at him. His production has dropped some recently, and he's been frequently hurt the last 6-8 years.

 

He's also old. Big Frank has been one of the most outspoken critics of the steriod testing program in baseball (saying they needed to do more) and actually led a semi-revolt a couple years ago against the union.

 

I don't believe hs was on the juice.

[CubRock2]

slick and soapy - how many other players did we think had integrity? How many others have denied the use of steroids, gotten angry when accused, and said how bad it is publicly?

 

ndistops is right. He seems to be the only one who's escaped scrutiny. Not saying he did, but just questioning why he slipped by while everyone else at the hearing has been accused.

[RationalSoxFan]

He's escaped scrutiny because he never had a ridiculous power spike like most other juicers. I don't know if he did or didn't, but he seems to be breaking down due to age. His injuries have been in his leg, and that is typical of a man his frame. Putting that much pressure on an injured area will undoubtedly lead to further injury.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Frank Thomas was 5'11", 205 lbs when he was born.

[CubsInNC]

Frank Thomas was 5'11", 205 lbs when he was born.

 

And his mom... oh that poor woman. she was recovering in the hospital for 13 days after he was born.

[soapy]

slick and soapy - how many other players did we think had integrity? How many others have denied the use of steroids, gotten angry when accused, and said how bad it is publicly?

 

But the only thing you're really pointing too is that he's injured. He's 38 years old. He's been big his entire career and didn't really have a big jump at any one point in time. Besides, when he's healthy, his power numbers are still there.

 

I don't know if he's ever juiced, but I don't really see any evidence that he has either. On the other hand, I see a few things that seem to contradict steroid use (outspoken advocate for testing, continued power, and no real jump in power or size).

[RynoRules]

Frank Thomas was 5'11", 205 lbs when he was born.

 

Let's hope it was a c-section then.

 

Frank didn't juice, IMO. All Natural Beast.

[soccer10k]

Wasn't McGwire always a bigger guy also?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Wasn't McGwire always a bigger guy also?

 

He was big, but he became colossal.

 

http://www.homeruncards.com/imagesrc/mcgwire87tp.jpghttp://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/MM_MaY_2.15.jpg

[Balsa]

If anything, Thomas has always been against steriods because of the fact he lost an MVP award to Giambi, who coincidentally, was using steriods.

 

Thomas was freakishly big when he first started in the early 90s. Sort of like the Fridge in 1985.

[BigbadB]

I would side with the Big Skirt on this one. A TE in college is a big boy to begin with, especially a big football school like Auburn.

 

As far as the injuries, I would imagine guys who played any significant amount of football might see their bodies break down as they age.

 

The older you get, the harder it is to stay in tip top shape. Bo Jackson was out of baseball and football at a pretty young age. Brian Jordan should have retired at the beginning of 2006, or maybe even before that.