Frank Thomas inducted into the Hall of Fame

Thomas was introduced by a video featuring White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson, who coined the nickname The Big Hurt. “He was a line drive hitter, but they just didn’t come down.“Then, Commissioner Bud Selig and Hall curator Jane Forbes Clark introduced Thomas before he gave his speech.

Thomas, choked up from the beginning, said he was “humbled,” “honored,” and “speechless” to be inducted.

He thanked his father, Frank Thomas, Sr., saying he knew he was “watching and smiling from heaven.” Continuing to thank his parents, Thomas recollected his journey to the Hall: “We’re a long way from Columbus, Georgia.” He thanked his wife, Megan, as well: “When I met you, life was throwing me a curveball, one I could not hit ... You put pep in my step and made me believe in love again.”

He thanked coaches, teammates, and many members of the White Sox organization. He singled out Hawk Harrelson for nicknaming him The Big Hurt, saying it “changed his life forever.” Thomas made a valiant effort to name as many people as possible, often apologizing for the length of his list.

Thomas remembered Walt Hrniak, his favorite hitting coach, telling him: “Anyone can be good, Frank, but the special ones want to be great,” and “Keep your effing head down and finish, Frank.” Thomas thanked Hrniak, saying: “Without you, I know I wouldn’t be here in Cooperstown.”

He thanked every coach, manager, player, clubhouse guy, executive, doctor, that he came into contact with from college to his last year with the A’s. Literally every single person he ever played with or for. Everyone that helped him become one of the greatest hitters of all time. It may have seemed tedious to some, but as MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds noted, it’s important to those people to hear their names.

In closing, he said: “There is no shortcut to success. Hard work. Dedication. Commitment. Stay true to who you are.”