Marathon Pundit: Frank Thomas hits 500th home run

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Frank Thomas, who spent most of his career with the Chicago White Sox, became the 21st Major League Baseball player to hit 500 home runs this afternoon.

Unlike many recent joiners of the 500 homer club, there is no steroid controversy surrounding "The Big Hurt."

But today was not perfect for Thomas. Not only did the Blue Jays lose to the host Minnesota Twins, but the slugger was later tossed out of the game for arguing balls and strikes.

Thomas was the best hitter I've seen in a White Sox uniform. Early in his career, he had a rare combination of power and average, and was a legitimate triple crown threat during most of the 1990s. Thomas won the American League batting title in 1997.

Frank will carry on a few more years, and then he'll have a date at Cooperstown--with a plaque wearing a White Sox cap being installed in his honor.

Thomas' old team is enjoying some rare 2007 good news, but finishing up four game sweep against the underrated Tampa Bay Devil Rays. It was their first four game sweep since 2005, the year the Sox won the World Series.

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