Box Score Bank: The Big Hurt

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When the Red Sox and White Sox meet, I can't help but think about Frank Thomas.

After all, he's the best player in White Sox history. He's one of the best hitters in Major League history. He's without a doubt the largest human I've ever seen set foot on a baseball field.

Do you remember the first time you saw Frank Thomas emerge the visitor's dugout at Fenway? He was baseball's Shaq. And a lot more fun to root for (unless you were a member of the Chicago media).

For today's Box Score Bank, I wanted to track down the first time Frank Thomas played against the Sox. So, let's set our sights (and this site) for

September 13, 1990

The Gulf War was barely one month old. Felix Doubrount was only two years old. Pretty Women was No. 1 at the box office. Love and Affection by Nelson was No. 1 song on the Billboard charts

And over at Cominskey Park, 22-year-old Frank Thomas was going 2-2, with three walks in his first ever game against the Red Sox.

Final Score: White Sox 9, Red Sox 6

Tom Bolton got the start for Boston and gave up seven runs over 3.1 innings, before giving way to the legendary trio of Daryl Irvine, Wes Gardner and Eric Hetzel. Alex Fernandez went seven strong for Chicago; Ken Patterson got the save. But enough about the pitchers. Can we talk about these line-ups?

For the Sox, you had the Killer B's of Boggs, Burks, Brunansky and Pena (The Backstop), not to mention Mike Greenwell, Phil Plantier, Jody Reed and Sweet Luis Riviera. For the other Sox, you had Carlton Fisk, Sammy Sosa, Robin Ventura, Ozzie Guillen and the late, great Ivan Calderon's perm! And of course, Frank Thomas.

Hurt played only 60 games that first season, but still hit .330 with seven home runs. Over the next seven years, he made seven All-Star teams, won two MVPS, never hit below .308 and averaged 35 homers and 117 RBI a year.

Thanks for all the memories, Frank.

This one's for you

Rich can be reached at rlevine@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Rich on Twitter at http:twitter.comrich_levine

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