Chicago, IL (March 25, 2019) – NBC Sports Chicago - THE Home of the #AuthenticFan - has announced Chicago White Sox legend/1st Ballot Baseball Hall of Famer FRANK THOMAS (@TheBigHurt_35) will be joining the network as a game day studio analyst on “White Sox Pregame Live presented by Aurelio’s Pizza” & “Subaru White Sox Postgame Live” beginning this MLB season. In addition, “The Big Hurt” will also make occasional appearances on the network’s popular weeknight 7:00 PM CT game start lead-in program, “Baseball Night in Chicago.” The announcement was made by Kevin Cross, Senior Vice President/General Manager, NBC Sports Chicago.
Thomas’ first appearance as the network’s new White Sox studio analyst will take place on Opening Day (Thursday, March 28), as the White Sox travel to face the American League Central Division rival Kansas City Royals (NOTE: NBC Sports Chicago’s Opening Day coverage begins with a special, hour-long expanded edition of “White Sox Pregame Live” at 2:00 PM CT; live stream to authenticated subscribers available at NBCSportsChicago.com and via the “MyTeams by NBC Sports” app). Last week, NBC Sports Chicago announced 2005 White Sox World Series championship “Manager of the Year” Ozzie Guillen will also be joining the network’s “White Sox Pre/Postgame Live” team as an analyst beginning this season.
“I’m happy to be joining the team at NBC Sports Chicago and to be back covering the White Sox, a franchise with a bright future featuring some of the best young talent in the game today,” said Thomas.
“Frank Thomas is, without question, one of the greatest players in Chicago baseball history and we couldn’t be more thrilled he will be lending his insightful analysis as part of our expert White Sox coverage team all season long,” added Cross. “The addition of Frank once again showcases our year-round commitment in delivering the most comprehensive coverage of the White Sox to our vast and dedicated multi-platform audience.”
One of the greatest hitters in the history of the game, Thomas was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility (2014). His #35 jersey was also retired by the White Sox 2010. Thomas finished his stellar MLB career with a .301 batting average, 521 home runs, 1,704 RBI, 495 doubles, 1,494 runs scored and 1,667 walks in 2,322 games. He was also a member of the White Sox 2005 World Championship team, his final season with the club. Thomas won back-to-back American League MVP honors in 1993 & 1994 and finished second in MVP balloting in 2000. A five-time AL All-Star, Thomas is the White Sox franchise leader in numerous offensive categories, including home runs (448), doubles (447), RBI (1,465), runs scored (1,327), extra-base hits (906), walks (1,466), slugging percentage (.568) and on-base percentage (.427). Thomas is also just one of four players in baseball history (joining Mel Ott, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams) to have a .300 average with 500 home runs, 1,500 RBI, 1,000 runs scored and 1,500 walks in a career.