The White Sox put themselves in a tough spot on Sunday by angering one of their all-time greats.
Hall of Famer Frank Thomas took issue with a post from the team on X that highlighted several “momentous firsts for the White Sox organization” in celebration of Black History Month. After not being prominently featured among other franchise pioneers, Thomas voiced his frustration in a reply.
“I guess the Black player who made you rich over there and holds all your records is forgettable! Don’t worry, I’m taking receipts!”
Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35/X)
The pair of graphics in question highlighted milestones ranging from Minnie Minoso breaking the team’s color barrier in 1951 to Will Venable becoming the organization’s third African American manager last year. While Thomas was not featured visually, he was briefly mentioned in a caption referencing Dick Allen‘s MVP in 1972.
“1972 – Dick Allen becomes the first Black player in White Sox history to win A.L. MVP honors. Frank Thomas joined Allen as MVP in 1993-94.”
That acknowledgement was not enough, as an upset Thomas later responded angrily to a fan who attempted to offer words of encouragement.
Thomas, 54, was one of the most prolific power hitters in MLB history during a career that spanned nearly two decades. He played 16 of his 19 Major League seasons for the White Sox, winning back-to-back AL MVP awards in 1993 and 1994. Thomas would record nine Top 10 finishes in the AL MVP voting, earn five All-Star Game selections, and capture four Silver Slugger Awards in a tenure that had no shortage of accolades.
Once his time in Chicago ended, Thomas played 137 games for the Athletics (2006, 2008) and 171 games for the Blue Jays (2007-08). Notably, Toronto included Thomas in its own Black History Month graphic that was posted a day earlier, making the White Sox’s omission that much more noticeable.
Thomas sat out the 2009 season before signing a one-day contract to retire as a White Sox in 2010. The franchise retired his jersey number the same year, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014 with 83.7 percent of the vote. When all was said and done, the Auburn product finished his career slashing .301/.419/.555 with 521 home runs and 1,704 RBI, cementing his place among the game’s all-time greats.
At face value, Thomas’ reaction to a broad, celebratory post might have felt excessive to some. However, the team’s decision not to prominently feature one of the most iconic players in franchise history, despite ample opportunities to do so, comes across as a significant oversight, even if unintentional. The incident has since sparked national backlash, with much of the fanbase rallying behind The Big Hurt.
The White Sox have not directly responded to Thomas’ comments or removed the post from their social platforms. According to Bruce Levine, the organization plans to continue promoting Black History Month content throughout February, with an increased emphasis on Thomas.
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Featured Photo: White Sox/Twitter
