Frank Thomas (thomafr03)
From BR Bullpen
- Note: This page links to Frank Thomas, the major league outfielder who played from 1951 to 1966. For the longtime first baseman with the Chicago White Sox in the 1990s and 2000s, click here.
Frank Joseph Thomas
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 3", Weight 205 lb.
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[edit] Biographical Information
Frank Thomas was a slugger and three-time All Star who hit 286 home runs in his career. His best season was 1958 when he was second in the league in home runs, and fourth in the MVP voting.
People tend to call him "the first Frank Thomas" or "the white Frank Thomas" to distinguish him from the other player of the same name who is a current star.
Thomas played on two of the worst teams in major-league history. Thomas had 21 at bats while playing in the outfield for the 1952 Pittsburgh Pirates, which finished 42-112. Thomas spent eight seasons in Pittsburgh, losing over 100 games three times. In 1959, one season removed from Thomas' first on a winning team, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. After stints with the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Braves, Thomas was traded to the 1962 New York Mets. He played outfield, third and first for the Mets, which finished 40-120.
After 16 seasons in the majors, Thomas had played on seven teams that lost more than 100 games and 10 teams that lost more than 90. He was a member of five teams that finished with a better than .500 record, but spent an entire season with only one of those teams -- the 1958 Pittsburgh Pirates.
According to the similarity scores method, the most similar player to Thomas - as a hitter - was Bobby Thomson.
He was nicknamed "the donkey" by fellow players for his less-than-stellar people skills. He made the last putout at the Polo Grounds when it was the venue for the New York Giants, on September 29, 1957.
According to Bill James's win shares, he was the worst fielding third baseman ever - at least among those among the top 300 in innings played at third. In 1964, he got in an on-field fight with teammate Dick Allen before a game. This would be the first of many controversies centering around Allen.
[edit] Famous Last
Made last putout at the Polo Grounds when it was the venue for the New York Giants, 29 September 1957.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 3-time NL All-Star (1954, 1955 & 1958)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 9 (1953-1958 & 1960-1962)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 3 (1953, 1958 & 1962)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 2 (1953 & 1958)
