Could we have just witnessed the end of the Big Hurt?
Naga, Naga, Nagunna work here anymore. 
Frank Thomas was released by the Toronto Blue Jays today, leaving the 500 Home Run club member without a team.
And he wasn't happy about it.
“They do that after 16 games, after 60 at-bats. That’s bulls—. We all know what’s behind this. What else could be behind this but the money?”
“What the f— is that, with my track record, they know what I can do,” Thomas said. “I tried to be the nice guy, the gentleman. I’ve kept my mouth shut.
“But I know I can hit. One good week and I’d be back on top. I know I haven’t hit the ball that well but I’m not the only f—ing player. Look at (Gary) Sheffield with Detroit, (David) Ortiz with Boston. I know I can hit, that I can get on fire.”
For as great of an offensive weapon as Thomas has been in his career, he's also gotten quite surly with his old age. He might be more trouble to a team than good with his tempermental state. At this point in his career, he can't play anything but designated hitter, so that cuts the league in half in terms of where Thomas could catch on. Then you start thinking about American League teams, and most have pretty solid DH options. They're certainly not going to dial Thomas up to be a role player who gets a few at-bats per week; that was his gripe in the first place.
It might not be official, but in my mind; this is the end of one of the greatest hitters of our era.
2 comments:
I don't think he's that surly...he was a ray of sunshine his time with the Jays, and he's actually taken this pretty well despite his pride being wounded. Living legends being benched after 16 games don't usually take it too well.
Well I know that it was his demeanor that helped aid his exit from Chicago. I remember his exchange with Kenny Williams.
I thought it was in Oakland as well.
This is strange for me because I remember the 1992-1993 Big Hurt. He was doing things that had only been done in the game by Babe Ruth and Ted Williams. He was an unreal offensive player on some bad Chi Sox teams. He was giant and fun to marvel at. I hope I get to see him play again. I think he could hit until he was 50.
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