White Sox legend Frank Thomas hasn’t minced words when it comes to his relationship with the White Sox in the past, and on Sunday, he let his frustration out.
The White Sox put out a social media graphic celebrating “momentous firsts” to commemorate the start of Black History Month. The graphic included moments like Ken Williams and Jerry Manuel becoming the first Black general manager/manager combo in MLB history.
There was one glaring — and frankly, irresponsible — omission: Thomas, a two-time MVP and best hitter in franchise history, was not on the list and voiced his displeasure.
“I Guess the black player who made you rich over there and holds all your records is forgettable!” he wrote on X. “Don’t worry, I’m taking Receipts!”
Thomas is only mentioned as a footnote in a small blurb about Dick Allen becoming the first Black player in Sox history to win AL MVP. The “momentous firsts” graphic includes Will Venable becoming the third Black manager in White Sox history.
Conversely, Thomas was included on the Toronto Blue Jays’ Black History Month post after playing 171 games for the organization.
A rift between the Sox and Thomas isn’t unusual. When Thomas left the Sox after the 2005 season, he clashed publicly with Williams and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. Williams responded emphatically through the media.
“He’s an idiot; he’s selfish,” Williams told reporters. “That’s why we don’t miss him. We don’t miss him, by the way. If you go out there and ask any one of my players or staff members, we don’t miss him. We don’t miss his attitude. We don’t miss the whining. We don’t miss it. Good riddance. See you later.”
Thomas and the Sox seemed to have reconciled when the organization retired his number in 2010, but this inexcusable error seems to have stirred up feelings between Thomas and the organization he spent 16 of his 19 seasons with.
His name is littered throughout the club’s record books. Thomas is the franchise leader in home runs (448), RBIs (1,465), runs scored (1,327), doubles (447), walks (1,466), on-base percentage (.427) and slugging percentage (.568).
Thomas sued the Sox in 2006, alleging that the team doctors had misdiagnosed a fractured bone in his foot as a bruise and cleared him to play. Thomas and the doctors agreed to settle the medical negligence lawsuit in 2011.
In 2015, Thomas was at the 10-year anniversary celebration for the 2005 World Series win, though he wasn’t at the 20-year reunion in 2025. Thomas’ last appearance at Rate Field was throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Rate Field in 2024.
As Thomas’ post exploded, with many Sox fans voicing their support, it remained up on the team’s official X account. Alienating the best hitter in franchise history is not the way the Sox wanted to start Black History Month.