Anthony Souffle / Chicago TribuneRecently elected Hall of Famer Frank Thomas signs a baseball for David Potter of Bridgeport at SoxFest.
Nam Y. Huh, Associated PressFrank Thomas gives a thumbs-up as he looks at his retired No. 35.
Chris Sweda, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas stands beside Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn as the former White Sox great is honored before a game at U.S. Cellular Field.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFormer White Sox players Billy Pierce and Carlton Fisk unveil a likeness of Frank Thomas on the outfield wall.
Curtis Compton / MCTFrank Thomas wipes away tears as he is overcome by emotion during his speech.
CHARLES CHERNEY, CHICAGO TRIBUNEWhite Sox manager Jerry Manual chats with Frank Thomas at spring training.
Ed Wagner, Chicago TribuneWhite Sox slugger Frank Thomas.
Gregory Fisher, USA Today Sports2014 Hall of Fame inductees Tom Glavine, Frank Thomas and Greg Maddux pose with their plaques.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas chats with White Sox OF Carlos Quentin before a Sox-Cubs game at U.S. Cellular Field.
Phil Velasquez / Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas at U.S. Cellular Field after being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame earlier in the day.
John J. Kim / Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas is introduced at the opening ceremony during SoxFest at the Palmer House Hilton.
Phil Velasquez, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas hits a fly ball to right, driving in a run.
CHARLES REX ARBOGAST, Associated PressFrank Thomas talks with reporters.
Chris Walker, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas with the World Series trophy.
Dennis Wierzbicki, USA Today SportsFrank Thomas prior to a game against the Blue Jays at U.S Cellular Field.
Jonathan Daniel, Getty ImagesFrank Thomas throws a ceremonial first pitch to former player Carlton Fisk.
CHARLES CHERNEY, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas does a knee high drill with help from Ray Durham during workout at practice.
PHIL VELASQUEZ, CHICAGO TRIBUNEFrank Thomas clowns around with the 3rd base camerman near the White Sox dugout.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas is joined by his family and other White Sox players following his ceremony.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas speaks at a ceremony honoring him and retiring his No. 35.
Phil Velasquez / Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas with his daughter Ashley at U.S. Cellular Field after being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame earlier in the day.
E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas at the groundbreaking ceremony at his Big Hurt Brewhouse, a microbrewery and sports bar and grill in a historic bank building in Berwyn.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas' statue at U.S. Cellular Field.
Timothy Hiatt / Getty Images for GenworthFrank Thomas poses for pictures at the Genworth #LetsTalk booth at the Taste of Chicago.
Jeff Chiu, Associated PressGiants' Barry Bonds sits with Toronto's Frank Thomas during batting practice.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas embraces White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.
NUCCIO DINUZZO, CHICAGO TRIBUNEFrank Thomas visits with his dogs Bubba and Barbie on Dog Day at Comiskey Park.
JOHN SMIERCIAK, CHICAGO TRIBUNEThe White Sox celebrate in locker room after winning the AL Central title: Magglio Ordonez and Frank Thomas whoop it up.
Phil Velasquez, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas poses with his family: son Sterling, wife Megan, son Frank, daughters Sydney and Sloan.
Rob Kim / Getty ImagesHall of Fame Electees Greg Maddux, Frank Thomas and Tom Glavine visit at The Empire State Building.
JOHN SMIERCIAK, CHICAGO TRIBUNEFrank Thomas and Kelly Wunsch wave to fans after the Sox clinched the AL Central.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas' statue at U.S. Cellular Field.
E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas at the opening of his Big Hurt Brewhouse, a microbrewery and sports bar and grill in a historic bank building in Berwyn.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas waves after addressing the crowd following his ceremony.
Gregory Fisher / USA Today SportsHall of Fame Inductee Frank Thomas arrives with his wife at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Chicago TribuneWhite Sox slugger Frank Thomas scores during a game with Toronto.
Phil Velasquez, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas' family after he retired.
Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas acknowledges the standing ovation during the first inning as he returns to U.S. Cellular with Oakland.
CHARLES CHERNEY, CHICAGO TRIBUNEFrank Thomas signs autographs before the 1999 home opener against Kansas City.
CHARLES CHERNEY, CHICAGO TRIBUNEFrank Thomas charges the mound after getting hit by Royals pitcher Miguel Asencio.
Phil Velasquez, Chicago TribuneWhite Sox slugger Frank Thomas officially retired at U.S. Cellular Field.
Phil Velasquez, Chicago TribuneWhite Sox slugger and future Hall of Famer Frank Thomas officially retired.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas becomes emotional before he addresses the crowd.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas' statue at U.S. Cellular Field.
Phil Velasquez, Chicago TribuneNew Cubs hitting coach Von Joshua with former White Sox slugger Frank Thomas at the Crosstown Classic.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas acknowledges the crowd after an unveiling of gifts by chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.
Jim McIsaac, Getty ImagesFrank Thomas poses for a photograph with his Hall of Fame plaque with Baseball Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson, Hall of Fame chairperson Jane Forbes Clark and MLB commissioner Bud Selig at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York.
Bonnie Trafelet, Chicago TribuneFrank Thomas hits a line drive to left field.
Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune"The Big Hurt" hit 448 home runs in a Sox uniform, most in team history. Thomas drove in 100 or more runs 10 times for the Sox, including a career-high 143 in 2000. He batted .320 or better five times, leading the league at .347 in 1997. Thomas won back-to-back MVP awards in 1993-'94 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. He batted .353 with a .593 OBP in the '93 playoffs.
Jim McIsaac / Getty ImagesFrank Thomas gestures to his family during his speech at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York.
Stacey Wescott, Chicago TribuneOzzie Guillen answers questions from his former player and current sports commentator Frank Thomas. Tomorrow is opening day when the Sox face the Indians.
Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune
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Recently elected Hall of Famer Frank Thomas signs a baseball for David Potter of Bridgeport at SoxFest.
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By Phil Thompson | plthompson@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Frank Thomas’ Hall of Fame career was about as stainless as they come. Pete Rose, on the other hand, is a baseball pariah, at least officially.
So pairing the White Sox great with the man with the ban could make for interesting television when they co-host “Hurt & Hustle,” a postgame special that premieres after the Royals-Indians game Saturday on FS1. We’re guessing the ’80s-style graphics used in the title screen is intentional, although Rose is most associated with the ’70s and Thomas is a product of the ’90s. (Split the difference?)
In a teaser, Thomas jokes to Rose about putting up posters of themselves from their playing days on the set. “We can poke fun at each other’s awards and stuff like that,” Thomas says.
Rose brushes back, “Your awards don’t count, they were American League awards.”
In the show, Thomas and Rose preview the baseball playoffs, interview Jose Canseco and give hot takes on sports and pop culture.
Twitter @_phil_thompson
