It's been a while since Frank Thomas has had any form of postseason success. He had a terrible divisional series performance in 2000, and he was out for the White Sox's entire championship run in 2005.
Thomas isn't a choker -- he
tried to carry the whole damn team in 1993 against Toronto, but since Hall of Fame voters
struggle to remember how dominant he was in the '90s, it's in his best interest to offer a refresher course.
So far, so good.
The
last time the Sox truly beat Johan Santana, Frank, Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Lee were in the lineup. For whatever reason -- and that reason is probably because he's one of the greatest hitters of all time -- Frank has had no problem with Santana, and today was no different.
The Big Hurt went 3-for-4 with two homers -- and both were crucial to the cause, as the A's took the opener against Minnesota 3-2.
I'm not sure if I'm rooting for Oakland yet, because I enjoy the idea of Kenny Williams having a World Series ring while Billy Beane doesn't. It's the opposite result of how they were portrayed in Moneyball, with Beane being the genius and Kenny the dolt.
Nevertheless, if Frank keeps hitting like this, I don't think I'll have much of a choice, because they're going to keep winning.
Go get 'em, Frank.