Frank Thomas hits #500

[SouthSideRyan]

 

 

I am usually not one to defend Ripken so dont take this wrong. I kind of think that reporters are closer to the situation than we are and probably strongly suspect more than they are allowed to report. For instance I know the people on my line who do drugs. I am there supervisor and may have a better feel for human nature or maybe its my past abuse, I dont know. I do know the ones who do drugs though. I am guessing that there are some reporters who kind of know who is doing what.

 

I kind of think that reporters are idiots and don't have a clue about much of anything.

[NewUserName]

 

 

I am usually not one to defend Ripken so dont take this wrong. I kind of think that reporters are closer to the situation than we are and probably strongly suspect more than they are allowed to report. For instance I know the people on my line who do drugs. I am there supervisor and may have a better feel for human nature or maybe its my past abuse, I dont know. I do know the ones who do drugs though. I am guessing that there are some reporters who kind of know who is doing what.

 

I kind of think that reporters are idiots and don't have a clue about much of anything.

 

I dont disagree when it comes to general baseball knowledge. What I am saying is they are closer to the individuals than we are. They probably have a better idea what players are doing. This is why Ripken was always reported as being a great guy and Eddie Murray as being a wanker. I also think they kind of know who is doing and who isnt. This is why I think some players get the rep and some dont.

[bhogg]

I can't see anything that suggests Thomas is anything other than a first ballot hall of famer.

 

I hate the DH, but the man can / could rake.

Edited June 29, 2007 by bhogg

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Frank has a career line of 303/425/562 with a career OPS+ of 158.

 

He had ten seasons where his OPS+ was above 150. In his peak seasons of 1990-1997, his lowest OPS+ was 174.

 

He was a 5X AS, holds two MVP awards, ranked in the top five in MVP voting four other times, led the league in OBP four times (finishing in the top five four other times), and led league in slugging once (finishing in the top five six other times).

 

Even with a DH discount, Thomas is a no doubt, first ballot, you'd have to be brain dead not to vote for him candidate.

[Omar]

Frank Thomas really gained my respect when he signed with the A's last year for $500K. It proved that he plays for the love of the game, not the money.

 

And whaddya know? He has an amazing 2006. .270/.381/.545 & an OPS+ of 141... 39 HR and 141 RBI. 4th in MVP.

 

What a bargain, Billy Beane.

[bhogg]

From the time I was 7 until I was 15 I wore number 23 -- Ryno's number.

 

In the spring / summer of '92 I opted for #35 simply because of Big Frank. I continued wearing #35 in high school basketball because of him -- weird, I know.

[SouthSideRyan]

 

 

I am usually not one to defend Ripken so dont take this wrong. I kind of think that reporters are closer to the situation than we are and probably strongly suspect more than they are allowed to report. For instance I know the people on my line who do drugs. I am there supervisor and may have a better feel for human nature or maybe its my past abuse, I dont know. I do know the ones who do drugs though. I am guessing that there are some reporters who kind of know who is doing what.

 

I kind of think that reporters are idiots and don't have a clue about much of anything.

 

I dont disagree when it comes to general baseball knowledge. What I am saying is they are closer to the individuals than we are. They probably have a better idea what players are doing. This is why Ripken was always reported as being a great guy and Eddie Murray as being a wanker. I also think they kind of know who is doing and who isnt. This is why I think some players get the rep and some dont.

 

Eddie Murray was reported as a wanker because he wouldn't give the reporters good copy. Ripken would. Reporters are kind to the guys that are kind to them and unkind to those that don't give them a story.

[bhogg]

I could be wrong, but I bet all major leaguers are wankers.

[TB_11]

Proving how good Frank Thomas was, here's his first eight years OPS, compared to current player who some Cardinals fans think is the best hitter since Ted Williams:

 

Frank Thomas OPS+

1990: 177 (240 PAs)

1991: 180

1992: 174

1993: 177

1994: 212

1995: 178

1996: 178

1997: 181

 

Albert Pujols OPS+

2001: 158

2002: 155

2003: 189

2004: 175

2005: 167

2006: 180

 

A completely underrated, but well deserving, first ballot Hall of Famer.

[tkenm356]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=behrens/060925

 

Good article from last season on Frank Thomas. Regardless if it's Page 2, it's still a good article, and I think it dictates just how clearly it should be that Thomas is a first ballot HOF'er

[soccer10k]

 

 

I am usually not one to defend Ripken so dont take this wrong. I kind of think that reporters are closer to the situation than we are and probably strongly suspect more than they are allowed to report. For instance I know the people on my line who do drugs. I am there supervisor and may have a better feel for human nature or maybe its my past abuse, I dont know. I do know the ones who do drugs though. I am guessing that there are some reporters who kind of know who is doing what.

 

I kind of think that reporters are idiots and don't have a clue about much of anything.

 

I dont disagree when it comes to general baseball knowledge. What I am saying is they are closer to the individuals than we are. They probably have a better idea what players are doing. This is why Ripken was always reported as being a great guy and Eddie Murray as being a wanker. I also think they kind of know who is doing and who isnt. This is why I think some players get the rep and some dont.

 

Eddie Murray was reported as a wanker because he wouldn't give the reporters good copy. Ripken would. Reporters are kind to the guys that are kind to them and unkind to those that don't give them a story.

 

Offense has (jokingly) been taken to your first post. :wink:

 

As for your second post, you hit it right on the head. If you are nice to a reporter, they're more likely to write good things about you or turn a potentially negative story into a positive. But if you're a dick, they aren't going to do you any favors. It's human nature.

[soccer10k]

There is no doubt in my mind that Frank Thomas is a HOFer and should get in on the firs ballot. It's not so much about whether his size changed or not but rather his consistency as a hitter. Right off the bat he was a very good hitter. He had a 1.006 OPS in his first full season.