Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin
I’m gonna be that guy: I saw Frank Thomas before he was “The Big Hurt.” It was 1990, I was a freshman at Boston University, and saw the Red Sox clinch the division by beating the White Sox. There was a huge Chicago player on deck, and I later looked up that it was Thomas. So, that’s my first take on watching the guy who had the most balletic swing ever from the right side — it was a combination of incredible body control, leverage, and … power. Here are 12 times that he made pitchers wince at every swing.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus, we'll send you other unbelievable stories from baseball's past.
Frank’s First MVP Season: 1993 Slugfest for the Ages
In 1993, Frank Thomas, who had 32 homers in ’91 and then a more pedestrian 24 in ’92, truly became “The Big Hurt.’ He bulldozed through American League pitching, clubbing 41 home runs and driving in 128 runs. Thomas had served notice that he’d arrived.
Back-to-Back MVP: How 1994 Cemented The Big Hurt’s Legacy
Even a strike-shortened season couldn’t stop Frank in 1994. With 38 homers and an eye-popping .353 average, he snagged his second straight MVP. Remember, he’d have had a month and a half to build on those numbers. He was worthy.
The 40 Home Run Club
Thomas came back refreshed after the player’s strike and showed absolutely no sign of rust. He mashed 40 long balls in both 1995 and ’96, showing that he was still ranking high on the list of hitters.
500 Career Home Runs: Frank Joins the Immortals in Minneapolis
On June 28, 2007, playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, Frank’s 500th career home run soared into the stands at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The polite Twins had the scoreboard flashing No. 500 to commemorate the occasion. Maybe they didn’t want the Big Hurt mad at them.
Most Walks in a Season—Frank’s 138 Free Passes in 1995
Pitchers got wise (or scared) in 1995, handing Frank a White Sox franchise-record 138 walks. While it wasn’t at the level of Barry Bonds in 2004, it was still a measure of respect on the pitcher’s end. They figured it would be easier to deal with Paul Konerko or any other hitter who came after Thomas.
Frank’s Four Silver Sluggers: A Testament to His Hitting Prowess
Frank Thomas wasn’t just powerful; he was a consistently elite hitter, earning four Silver Slugger Awards (1991, 1993, 1994, 2000). It showed that he was a complete package as a hitter.
Three-Homer Game in Chicago: The Day Frank Made Sox History
On August 15, 1996, at Comiskey Park, Frank Thomas launched three bombs against the Boston Red Sox. What made it even more impressive was that his third blast moved him past Carlton Fisk as the Pale Hose’s all-time home run leader, a distinction that he still holds today.
White Sox Franchise RBI Leader—A Record That Still Stands
From the old Comiskey to the “new” park, Frank racked up 1,465 RBIs in a White Sox uniform. This shows that he was intensely focused whenever runners were on base and could deal an even bigger hurt on a pitcher’s ERA.
Crowned AL Batting King: The 1997 Race That Left Pitchers Trembling
In 1997, Frank didn’t just chase the batting title—he captured it, hitting a scorching .347 to lead the American League. Pitchers tried everything—junk, heat, prayers—but he just kept hitting all season long.
When the Big Hurt Hit a Massive Homer Off the Big Unit
No, this isn’t an accidental Randy Johnson slide. It’s the face of a man who has to stand on the mound while Thomas rounds the bases after hitting an opposite-field blast in the first inning. The Big Hurt feared no pitcher, not even the Big Unit.
MVP Honors: Dominance from First Base and DH
Frank Thomas’s MVP awards in 1993 and 1994 were historic, showcasing his immense value whether at first base or as a designated hitter. He proved a player whose primary weapon was his bat could be the most valuable in the league, regardless of whether he was on the field or in the dugout in between at-bats.
“How Did He Hit THAT?”
The Big Hurt was a master at doing things that 99.9999999% of other hitters (other than Ichiro) could even come close to. Look at this photo, for example. That’s his back leg in the air, which means he should be off-balance at contact. Nope. He hit it out. There was also a clip of him breaking his bat as he hit the ball. The vast majority of other hitters would have that result in a weak grounder to short. Not Big Frank. He hit it over the fence. Even the opposing manager had to chuckle at that one as the batboy picked up the larger bat shard that rolled toward their dugout.