Frank Thomas, a significant figure in the pre-game shows for Fox Sports for many years, has bid adieu to his role as a Major League Baseball (MLB) analyst for the network
Although his retirement from his role has not been officially announced, the absence of his name from the list of analysts for the upcoming season of MLB is a clear indicator of his departure.
Frank Thomas has been a crucial part of Fox Sports’ MLB studio team for nearly a decade. His contribution to the network’s coverage of the sport and his role in growing the popularity of baseball cannot be overlooked.
However, with the announcement of Derek Jeter’s arrival as a new MLB analyst for Fox Sports, it seems like the network has chosen to bid farewell to the legendary hitter of the White Sox.
Derek Jeter, the former New York Yankees player, will be joining Alex Rodriguez, his ex-teammate, as an analyst for Fox Sports. A-Rod expressed his excitement at the news of Jeter’s arrival, saying, “I never thought in my wildest dreams we would be reunited.”
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Table of Contents
Derek Jeter: Is He Replaced Frank Thomas (MLB Analyst)?
Frank Thomas’ departure from Fox Sports as an MLB analyst means that the network has chosen to go in a new direction with its coverage of baseball.1
Although Thomas’ contribution to the network has been immense, Fox Sports seems to be making room for fresh faces and new voices in its coverage of MLB.
Derek Jeter’s arrival as an analyst for Fox Sports is a clear indication of the network’s intention to diversify its coverage and bring in new perspectives.
Jeter’s experience as a former player and his success in the sport make him an ideal candidate for the role of an analyst.
Excited to join the @MLBONFOX family! https://t.co/yzeXOek00t
— Derek Jeter (@derekjeter) February 12, 2023
What can we expect from Derek Jeter as an MLB analyst?
Derek Jeter’s arrival as an MLB analyst for Fox Sports has generated a lot of excitement among fans of the sport.
With his experience as a former player and his in-depth knowledge of the sport, Jeter is expected to provide unique insights into the game.
Jeter’s debut as an analyst at the London Series is eagerly anticipated, and fans will be looking forward to hearing his analysis of the game.
With his natural charisma and his ability to connect with people, Jeter is expected to be a popular figure among fans of the sport.
Frank Thomas’ departure from Fox Sports marks the end of an era for the network’s coverage of MLB.
However, with the arrival of Derek Jeter, Fox Sports seems to be signaling its intention to take its coverage of the sport in a new direction.
Jeter’s arrival is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the network’s coverage, and his debut as an analyst is eagerly awaited.
As fans of the sport, we can expect to be treated to some insightful analysis from one of the most successful players in the history of baseball.
Derek Jeter: Bio
Derek Jeter, also known as Derek Sanderson, is a former American professional baseball player who is widely considered one of the greatest shortstops in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Born on June 26, 1974, in Pequannock, New Jersey, Jeter grew up with a passion for baseball and dreamed of playing for the New York Yankees.
Early Life
Jeter’s family relocated to Kalamazoo, Michigan when he was four years old. There, he attended Kalamazoo Central High School, where he played basketball and baseball.
Despite being an excellent basketball player, Jeter was determined to become a baseball player and pursued his dream relentlessly.
During his last two years of high school baseball, Jeter achieved outstanding results, hitting over .500 and striking out only once in his senior year.
He received several national sports honors, including the 1992 High School Player of the Year from the American High School Coaches Association, the 1992 Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year from Gatorade, and the 1992 USA Today High School Player of the Year from “USA Today.”
After graduation, Jeter was drafted by the New York Yankees as the sixth overall pick in the June 1992 draft. He briefly attended the University of Michigan, but his success in the Yankees’ farm system led him to focus entirely on his baseball career.
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Derek Jeter: Career
Major League
- Jeter made his Major League debut in 1995 against the Seattle Mariners after Yankees’ shortstop Tony Fernandez was placed on the injured list.2
- In his first full season in 1996, Jeter hit .314 with 10 home runs and was instrumental in the Yankees’ World Series victory against the Atlanta Braves. He was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 1996 for his outstanding performance.
- Over the next two decades, Jeter established himself as one of the most consistent and reliable players in MLB history.
- He won five Gold Glove Awards, was named to 14 All-Star teams, and received the Silver Slugger Award five times.
- In addition, Jeter was a key member of the Yankees team that won five World Series championships from 1996 to 2009.
- Jeter retired in 2014 with a career batting average of .310, 3,465 hits, 260 home runs, and 1,311 RBIs. He also holds the Yankees’ record for most hits, doubles, games played, stolen bases, and at-bats.
- In recognition of his contributions to the team, the Yankees retired Jeter’s uniform number 2 in 2017 and unveiled a plaque in his honor in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium.
- Derek Jeter is widely regarded as one of the greatest shortstops and baseball players of all time.
- His remarkable achievements on the field, including his five World Series championships, make him a true legend in Major League Baseball.
- Jeter’s dedication, hard work, and passion for the game continue to inspire young players and fans around the world.
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Frank Thomas: Bio
Frank Thomas, the first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the most feared hitters in the history of Major League Baseball, has now transitioned to the role of a studio analyst for FOX Sports.
In this role, Thomas appears at the desk for MLB WHIPAROUND and is part of FOX Sports’ pregame and postgame shows during the regular season and postseason, also contributing remotely at the All-Star Game and World Series.
With Thomas as an analyst, FOX Sports’ MLB studio show won back-to-back Emmy Awards for Outstanding Studio Show – Limited Run during the network’s coverage of the 2016 & 2017 postseason.
Early Life and Career
Born in Columbus, GA, Thomas displayed impressive size and athletic gifts at a young age, competing in baseball, basketball, and football during his youth.
Despite being a standout on the high school baseball team throughout his prep years, he wasn’t chosen in the 1986 MLB Draft and instead accepted a football scholarship to Auburn University as a tight end.
After playing one season for the Tigers football team, Thomas quickly gravitated toward the diamond where his immense talent was immediately apparent to players and coaches alike.
College Career
Thomas was written into the Auburn baseball lineup as a true freshman and went on to rewrite the program’s record books.
Following his junior season in 1989, he was selected by the Chicago White Sox with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the draft, leaving Auburn as a three-time All-Southeastern Conference selection, a consensus All-American and the school’s all-time leader in home runs, runs batted in, total bases, extra base hits, slugging percentage and on-base percentage, despite only participating for three years.
Frank Thomas: Career
Professional Career
Thomas wasted no time clubbing his way through the minors and onto the White Sox roster, needing only 181 games across three levels before making his Major League debut during the summer of 1990.3
Over the next two decades, he established himself as one of the deadliest hitters in the sport’s history, combining an exceptional batting eye and plate discipline with his prodigious power to produce a career statistics line that remains rivaled by only a select few.
Nicknamed “The Big Hurt” for his towering presence in the batter’s box and punishing swing, Thomas played 19 seasons (16 with Chicago, who retired his No. 35 in 2010), was voted to five All-Star games, won two American League Most Valuable Player awards, four Silver Sluggers and was a member of the White Sox 2005 World Series Championship team.
Retirement and Business Ventures
- A career .301 hitter with an elite .419 on-base percentage, Thomas amassed 521 home runs, 1,704 runs batted in, 2,468 hits and 1,667 walks (10th most all-time), and earned first-ballot induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., in the summer of 2014.
- Post-retirement, Thomas became a partner in a number of different businesses, including his self-titled beverage line Big Hurt Beer and the Big Hurt Brewhouse, a bar/restaurant in Berwyn, Ill., that he helped open in the fall of 2014.
- Frank Thomas’ journey from being a youth athlete to a baseball legend is an inspiration to many aspiring athletes. With his talent and dedication, he has achieved great success both on and off the field.
- His contribution to baseball as a player and now as an analyst is highly valued, and his businesses are a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit.
- We can only hope that he continues to inspire future generations of athletes to achieve greatness in their chosen fields.
Quick Facts
Stage Name | Frank Thomas |
Real Name | Frank Thomas |
Profession(s) | Baseball Player, |
Birthday | May 27, 1968 |
Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
Age | 54 years |
Gender | Male |
Birthplace | Columbus, United States |
Hometown | Columbus, Georgia, United States |
Nationality | American |
FAQ’s
Who is Frank Thomas?
Frank Thomas is a former professional baseball player who played as a first baseman and designated hitter in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 19 seasons. He played for the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and the Toronto Blue Jays.
What are Frank Thomas’ career highlights?
Frank Thomas had a highly successful career, with numerous accolades and achievements. He was a 5-time All-Star, 4-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and a 2-time American League MVP. He also won the AL batting title in 1997 and finished his career with a .301 batting average, 521 home runs, and 1,704 runs batted in.
When was Frank Thomas inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame?
Frank Thomas was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. He received 83.7% of the votes, surpassing the 75% required for induction. He was inducted alongside Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine.
What is Frank Thomas doing now?
Frank Thomas is now retired from baseball and works as a television analyst for Fox Sports. He has also been involved in several business ventures, including Big Hurt Beer and his own nutritional supplement line.
Where did Frank Thomas go to college?
Frank Thomas attended Auburn University, where he played college baseball for the Auburn Tigers. He was named SEC Player of the Year in 1989 and was drafted in the first round of the MLB draft that same year.