"I'm not going to get worked up..."
So I was channel surfing last night and came upon White Sox GM Ken Williams talking about Frank Thomas and the comments he made to a local South Chicago newspaper. I have to say, I don't think Williams left anything on the table. After reading several articles on the story, it seems like Thomas was bent out of shape on how he was escorted out of Chicago."The greatest hitter in White Sox history reiterated that point in his latest interview, touching on several subjects and adding that he and Williams didn't see eye-to-eye after Williams became GM following the 2000 season.
At the time, Thomas was unhappy that his next-to-last deal with the White Sox contained a "diminished skills" clause. He said the White Sox should have traded him after the playoffs that season.
He also repeated that had he known last fall the team wasn't going to bring him back — they later gave him a $3.5 million buyout — he wouldn't have participated in a couple of ceremonial functions during the postseason. "
Williams worked up about the issues that Thomas had said...stated..."He better stay out of White Sox business."If you want my two sense, I think the Sox kept Thomas around a couple years too long. I was happy to see them win the World Series, like any other White Sox fan. I was there when Thomas got the call up and I was at the Kingdome in 1990. He was a great baseball talent. I say this because of all the injuries in the past years have not made him into a productive hitter like years past. I think this is a guy that was upset when the team resigned Konerko and then traded away for Thome.
The organization pretty much did everything to tell the guy he was done. They let him throw a first pitch at a playoff game. Plus he got to speak at the celebration. Do you think they let other injuried guys, who have been on the self almost the entire season do that? I don't think so... Why should he complain at all? He got bought out for $3.5 million.
Williams had stayed tight lipped for long enough and I'm glad he spoke out. Players leave and bash their former teams. But this organization had treated Thomas as well as you can handle a big mouth, often injuried player.
Would it have been great if Thomas finished in Chicago, sure but I think Thomas had worn out his welcome long before he was released. I can't wait for these two teams to meet. Don't be surprise if Thomas pulls a Griffey and not play when Oakland comes into Chicago. If he does, don't be surprised if he gets a Freddy Garcia, or Mark Buehrle fast ball in the back!!!
posted by The Dude at 4:00 PM
2 Comments:
Prince Fielder aside, I'm not sure we are going to ever see another hitter the size of the Big Hurt in MLB. The dude had skills too, winning batting titles and was in the conversation for best player of the 90's when Junior Griffey edged out Barry Bonds in the year 2000.
That all being said, Thomas of the past few years is a putz. He constantly whines and frankly hasn't played up to his contract. Plus, he signed the friggin contract with the "diminishing skills clause" in the first place. He should bitch out his agent, not ChiSox GM Ken Williams.
I think the Pale Hose are a better team than last year. That doesn't mean I think they are going to win it all again, but they'll be in contention for the AL Central with the uber-consistent Twinkies and a much improved but still young Indian squad. I'd say they'll win 90-92 games and the Twins will win about the same, with Cleveland at about 87-89 wins. The ChiSox have the best starting pitching depth in MLB though, so they'll edge out Minnesota in the end.
It's unfortunate that a guy that received much love from the "southies" and numerous pay days, oh yeah and also a WS ring, feels he needs to sell out the team because the team opted to try and actually win in the present instead of giving a guy who is nothing more than a pinch hitter now a bloated contract...apparently he thought he was playing for the Knicks/Yankees...
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