Skip to content

This Day in Baseball History

Mike Cassese / Reuters

2006 - Blue Jays ink the Big Hurt

Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi lands the impact bat he was in search for - signing veteran slugger Frank Thomas to a two-year, $18.12 million deal. 

"It was a chance to define the [DH] role with one guy, a pretty prolific guy too," Ricciardi tells the Associated Press. "It really, really makes our lineup pretty potent, and one of the best in the American League."

The 38-year-old comes to Toronto on the heels of a bounceback season with the Oakland Athletics, having hit .270/.381/.545 with 39 home runs and 114 RBIs. 

Thomas's first season with the Blue Jays came as advertised, with the Big Hurt slugging 26 home runs (including the 500th of his career) and driving in 95 while slashing .277/.377/.480. Despite the addition of Thomas, Toronto finishes third in the division, 13 games behind the Boston Red Sox. 

Less than a month into the 2008 season, manager John Gibbons cuts Thomas's playing time in favor of Matt Stairs - drawing the ire of the five-time All-Star. 

"I'm angry," Thomas tells the Washington Post prior to the game. "I know I can help this team. My career isn't going to end like this."

Thomas is released shortly after, signing a deal to return to Oakland four days later.

Birthdays

1944 - Tom Seaver
1964 - Mitch Williams
1966 - Jeff Nelson
1978 - Darnell McDonald
1983 - Nick Markakis
1983 - Trevor Crowe
1983 - Ryan Braun
1986 - Everth Cabrera
1988 - Shane Greene

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox