Tired of critics, Thomas enjoys fresh start with A's, By: Dave Newhouse

OAKLAND — Seven hours before launching a three-run double that sealed a series victory over the New York Yankees last week, Frank Thomas sat before his Oakland A's locker and revealed some deep hurt inside The Big Hurt.

Thomas is a mammoth of a man at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, but even though his 38th birthday is a month away, he has the sensitivity of an 8-year-old who has been sent to his room, accused unfairly.

One would think that 15 big-league seasons, two American League Most Valuable Player awards, five All-Star Game selections, and Hall of Fame promise would make Thomas unflinching to attacks on his character.

But because he views himself as a nice man with genuine feelings for others, even infrequent attacks upset him, challenging his charming manner, his infectious smile, and his unassuming composure.

This onetime superstar with the Chicago White Sox, who's an important new addition to the A's, touched on his image and other issues, including steroids, in a 20-minute break from his rigorous pregame preparation.

Q. Do you enjoy the nickname, The Big Hurt?

A. That's OK. It stuck. It's a double-edged sword because some peoplethink I'm some big, bad guy. The bottom line is when I'm out there on the field to make something, I'd like people to think that I'm one of the most determined hitters they've ever seen. But I'm also the most misunderstood ballplayer ever.

Ever? What makes you think that?

A. I just think people have never understood me. That's why I'm really happy to be out of Chicago. Because year in and year out the last seven years, people took it upon themselves to start controversy with me. And I'm not a controversial person.

Q. How exactly have you've been misrepresented?

A. I guess my name was big news, and people want big news. They don't want to talk about 25 players in the locker room. They want to talk about the guy who goes out night in and night out and makes things happen. And it's easy to use my name in stories, and that's what happened to me in Chicago.

Q. Are you saying that you felt victimized?

A. I'm not perfect. No one is. I've probably made two or three critical comments in a 16-year career, but not that critical. But for years, people will pick on those things and say, "He's like this" or "He's like that." It really sucks. I hate to use that word, but I tell people all the time, "I've done everything positive in my life to try and be a role model, but some things you can't control."

Q. Do you feel this will all pass one day?

A. I will get by that because I know I've never done anything wrong to anybody. I care about people. I always have. I always will. That will erase everything.

Q. Just how badly were you stung by White Sox general manager Kenny Williams' accusation that you were a bad clubhouse influence?

A. I think it was foul, out of line. We definitely didn't see eye-to-eye. We didn't like each other. The bottom line is he should have kept it in house and kept behind closed doors. For him to say that nobody missed me, nobody wanted me around, that was a total lie. Maybe he felt that way, but I have some very close friends over there. They couldn't answer to him because he's the boss.

Q. How should people judge your character?

A. I'm not a bad person, and I've never been a bad person really. I've always conducted myself as a quiet guy. Some people think that quiet in a player is standoffish. I've always been focused on doing my thing. I've always helped guys. but I've always tried not doing too much in the locker room, because

you want guys to be comfortable. I'm sorry if people don't understand that, but I've always been a naturally shy guy.

Q. Now you have a new home, with new expectations for you and the A's. What one improvement must the A's make to reach the World Series?

A. I think all the ingredients are here. Guys 1 through 25 got to play at a high level and really come together. The kids in this locker room want a championship.

Q. You've been outspoken about steroids in baseball. What would you like to see happen with the current investigation?

A. Either get something solved quickly or just throw it out. Because the bottom line is we found out there were guys on it. You can't go back in the past, you can't change things. It's time to move on. It was a black eye for the game. It happened. The best thing we can do now for the game is move forward.

Q. If current players are incriminated for steroids, would you favor their banishment from the game?

A. That's not up to me to decide. The bottom line is guys aren't on it any more because they're testing. Back then, there was no policing and no policy. Guys got away with things, but they won't get away with things now.

Q. For those who cheated and are caught, should there be asterisks by their records?

A. I just don't know what they're going to do it to. They don't know who was on it, what hitters or what pitchers.

Q. Pitchers?

A. It wasn't a one-way street. The game was not policed.

Q. What kept you away from steroids?

A. Because I was raised right, and I was coached right. I've always worked my butt off. Everything I've done in the game — you'll see me before the game, you'll see me after the game, in that weight room working my butt off.

Q. What is the easiest part of hitting?

A. Not guessing right, but expecting the perfect pitch and getting it.

Q. What's the most difficult part?

A. Not really knowing what pitchers are going to throw, and you have to react. The bottom line is pitchers always have the advantage. They have three or four pitches they can throw at any time, and you have to be prepared.

Q. Playing in only 108 games the last two years because of stress fractures in your left ankle, have you lost anything physically?

A. I don't think so. My thing now is that I've been through a lot of situations, and it's how I react in certain situations. I've grown a lot and learned how to handle those situations.

Q. Dale Murphy also has two league MVPs, but tailed off late in his career and hasn't yet been voted into the Hall of Fame. Have you done enough at this stage to be elected into Cooperstown?

A. I think so. I did one thing that nobody has ever done — That's seven years, 30 home runs, 100 walks, 100 runs scored, 100 RBIs. If that's not a Hall of Fame stat, what is?

Q. The average baseball salary now is nearly $2.9 million. There are 400 ballplayer millionaires. Are they all worth it?

A. That's just the game we play. It's been great financially. Like I tell people: No one gets excited when they see these actors and actresses making $15 million-$20 million per film. We play a 162-game schedule. There's a lot of money generated. You're basically being paid for what you're bringing in.