Lovin' It!

Frank Thomas hit three homers in today's game versus the Red Sox. He's got twenty-five on the year and has upped his RBI total to ninety-one. The homers pushed him past Mel Ott and into a tie for 18th on the all-time list with Ernie Banks and Eddie Matthews at 512.

Thomas will go down as one of the greatest percentage hitters in the history of the game. In any single season during his peak years from 1990-1997, Thomas never hit less than .308, reached base less than 42% of the time or slugged less than .529. His lifetime OPS+ ranks 19th all-time.

If I were to make a rough list of hitters who mixed high percentage results, with excellent body control in the batters box and an ability to out-think the pitcher, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Barry Bonds would top the list. Frank Thomas would be in the next group of players after those three greats.

The way Thomas shifts his weight in the batters box has always been a sight to behold. He's truly unique in how he uses his body to strike a baseball. A Charley Lau disciple, Thomas expertly shifts his body weight in such a manner that it allows him to hit balls 450 feet even when his arms appear to be moving disjointedly away from the rest of his body. While it's partly a testament to the great strength he possesses in his 6'5'' frame, it's also due to the excellent body control he exhibits in his hips and legs throughout his swing.

The next time you see Thomas hit watch his feet. They have the appearance of gliding towards the pitcher as he moves his bat down to meet the ball. There's a lightness about how he moves in the box that's made all the more amazing because of his size.

It's remarkable that some still question whether Thomas should be in the Hall of Fame. I think that number's gotten considerably lower this past year but some naysayers still persist.

I would've put the guy in if he'd retired five years ago.