Recently, I asked him some questions about his career. These questions were asked, and answered, over the phone. However, Mr. Thomas did let me tape his answers. That tape is saved in the nBo Baseball archive.

Frank Thomas (the Original 1951 to 1966) Autographed Color 8x10 Pirates $12 (Plus $5 shipping for one, two or three)
Inscriptions: Add $3
Email Joe if your interested

Joe's Question #1:
In 1958 you finished fourth in the NL MVP voting. You were second in Home Runs with 35, second in RBI with 109, and fifth in Total Bases with 297. What was that season like for you?

Mr. Thomas's answer:
It was probably the best season I had in the Major Leagues. I just got off to a great start. What I like most about that particular year, I was voted into the All-Star game by my peers. That's when the players all voted. So I relish that very much.

Joe's Question #2:
What are some of the most memorable moments of your baseball career?

Mr. Thomas's answer:
I can remember one day on my birthday in San Francisco, when I came up to bat three times with the bases loaded. Had a chance to drive in something like 15 runs and ended up driving in seven. I missed two Home Runs with the bases loaded. Just at the last minute the ball went foul.

Then also in 1962 when I hit six Home Runs in three consecutive games when I was with the Mets. And also in 1958 when I hit three Home Runs in one game in Cincinnati.

And probably the greatest moment I can think of would be, which no other player in Major League baseball had ever done, I was the first player to hit the fourth Home Run in succession in one inning. That was when I was with Milwaukee. That happened July 8th, 1961 in Cincinnati. When Mathews hit the first one off Jim Maloney, Aaron hit the second one off Maloney. They brought in Marshall Bridges to pitch to Joe Adcock and he hit one. Then I hit the fourth one off of Marshall Bridges. First time it was ever done in Major League baseball. It's been done twice since by two teams in the American League.

Joe's Question #3:
What other players influenced you the most during your career?

Mr. Thomas's answer:
That would be hard to say. I really never was influenced by any player. Even when I was growing up I never had any hero's per say. All I wanted to do was just play baseball and do the best that I could.

But the greatest player that I ever played against has to be Willie Mays. If I could emulate myself to that type of a player, that would be something that would be well worth while.

Joe's Question #4:
What are some of the things that you are most proud of from your baseball career?

Mr. Thomas's answer:
I'm proud of the fact that I answered everyone of my fan mail. By myself, personally, hand written. I still do that today, even though I'm out of baseball 35 years. I feel when you do something like that, I always felt that if a fan sat down and had the courtesy to write a letter to me, I had the courtesy to answer him back.

I never answered my mail when I was home, in my home park. Because I felt that I wanted to spend time with my kids. But, I answered all my mail when I went on the road.