Years ago, then-White Sox hitting instructor Walt Hriniak put the idea of a batting title in Frank Thomas’ head. It has grown into his Holy Grail.
Thomas unofficially completed the quest for his first American League title Sunday, going 3 for 3 as the White Sox lost 5-2 to the Boston Red Sox. By completing the season’s final road trip with a .352 batting average, he has turned this week’s homestand into a six-game victory lap.
If there is any surprise about Thomas’ most recent achievement, it comes when people are reminded that this will be his first batting title. It seems to his peers as if he is a perennial champion.
Boston designated hitter Reggie Jefferson, a part of the batting race when there was one, was asked Sunday if he tipped his cap to Thomas.
“Every year, man,” Jefferson said. “He’s the best hitter in the game, without a doubt. Anybody who likes batting can’t help but be a Frank Thomas fan.”
Despite Thomas’ first multihit game since Sept. 10, the White Sox couldn’t sweep the three-game series. They ended the road trip 4-2 and dropped to 77-78 overall. Their tragic number has dropped to two against the first-place Cleveland Indians, who must lose seven of their last eight games to give the Sox the chance to tie for an American Central title.
After going 8 for 23 on the trip to Milwaukee, Kansas City and Boston, Thomas enters the final week with a 21-point lead over runners-up Manny Ramirez, David Justice and Edgar Martinez, who are hitting .331.
“I just think it’s really special for me, a guy my size who hits a lot of home runs, to win it,” Thomas said. “To win it with my (lack of) speed, it means a lot to me.”
