One of the greatest to ever wear a White Sox uniform has been honored yet again. This time, however, it comes from his alma mater.
Hall of Fame first baseman Frank Thomas officially had his statue unveiled outside of Auburn University’s Plainsman Park. The finished product comes nearly a year after Auburn’s Board of Trustees voted to approve the commemoration outside of their baseball stadium.
“I just want to say, I’m so humbled and grateful, and thankful, for this distinct honor,” Thomas said prior to the unveiling. “I’m bragging here — but having two statues at two stadiums recognizing my college and pro career means the world to me. It just blows me away. I never imagined any of this when I started chasing my dream at Auburn University.”
Thomas, now 54, had a college career that was just as prolific as his professional one. The dual-sport athlete was named a three-time All-SEC selection during his Auburn baseball career and a consensus All-American as a junior in 1989. To this day, he remains the University’s only player to capture the team’s Triple Crown honor twice, doing so during his final two seasons. Before he was drafted by the White Sox in 1989, “The Big Hurt” finished with a .382/.514/.725 (228-for-597) slash, 49 home runs, 205 RBI, and a 1.239 OPS.
Thomas shocked nobody and went on to become one of the MLB’s most prolific power hitters over the two decades that followed. When all was said and done, the Hall of Famer hit .301/.419/.555 with 521 home runs, 1,704 RBI, five All-Star Game selections, four Silver Slugger Awards, and nine Top 10 finishes in the AL MVP voting, including his back-to-back wins in 1993 and 1994.
“This day means everything to me,” Thomas said during the ceremony. “This is where it all started for me. Walking through that tunnel, it was surreal. This journey started as a football player and ended up being a Hall of Fame baseball player. Just never know this was going to happen, but God has a plan for everyone, and I’m so proud of what has happened in my life and career.
To see more from the ceremony and unveiling, check out the videos below!
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Featured Photo: © Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK
