August 30, 2010 in Sports

Big honor for The Big Hurt

• Print
• Email
• Share

Associated Press photo

Frank Thomas enjoyed a day in the sun Sunday in Chicago.
(Full-size photo)

The Chicago White Sox gave The Big Hurt a big honor on Sunday, retiring Frank Thomas’ number before their home game against the New York Yankees.

Thomas fought back tears during an emotional ceremony that included fireworks and several of his former teammates. He thanked the organization and the city, saying “you can only dream of something like this” as his voice cracked.

Among those on hand to see Thomas become the ninth White Sox player to have his number retired were Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk and former World Series MVP Jermaine Dye, who both played with him. They got big ovations along with Billy Pierce and Minnie Minoso.

The biggest reaction was for the honoree.

“It brought back a lot of memories, thinking about teammates and all the great times and bad times,” Thomas said. “It just got to me. Emotion caught up. I’m a very, very proud man today, and this was probably was the proudest day of my life.”

Thomas retired in February after a 19-year career in which the two-time A.L. MVP hit .301 with 521 homers and 1,704 RBIs.

Feller returns

Bob Feller is back watching his beloved Cleveland Indians, a bounce in his step as he is treated for leukemia.

The third-oldest living member of the Baseball Hall of Fame at age 91, Feller said Sunday that he’s “feeling better than I have in weeks,” following two days at Cleveland Clinic and a week of outpatient treatment.

“I just didn’t have my usual energy, so I went in for a checkup and they said my blood count was low,” Feller said. “I spent two days in the hospital and they gave me two quarts of blood. Then they gave me some pills, and I went back every day for a week. They injected three shots of chemo a day.

“I’ve got my energy back. I feel very good. I’ll go back for a checkup next month.”

Ramirez on way?

Manny Ramirez is expected to join the Chicago White Sox today, giving the fading playoff contenders a big boost during a key 10-game road trip.

A person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press on Sunday night that the White Sox were close to acquiring the slugger from the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was not clear whether the deal will involve a trade or a waiver transaction.

Clearing the bases

Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow will be shut down for the season following his next start. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said there is nothing physically wrong with Morrow, who is 10-6 with a 4.27 ERA in 25 starts. … Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Evan Meek was hit in his pitching hand by a line drive from Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun and left Sunday’s game, but X-rays were negative. … Livan Hernandez’s ability to mentor young pitchers, coupled with an unforeseen opening in the Washington rotation, has earned the 35-year-old right-hander a one-year contract extension from the Nationals.

No comments on this story so far. Add yours!