In a three-game series against the Royals late last season, Frank Thomas was walked four times, one of them-in the first inning of Game 2-intentional.
In their earlier three games this year, Thomas was 4 for 11 with three doubles, a homer-and three more walks.
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If situations suggest, expect more of the same, Kansas City manager Hal McRae said Tuesday. Thomas’ lifetime average against the Royals: .349.
“I don’t want Frank to beat me,” McRae said. “Why get beat by the same guy all the time? Nobody likes that.”
But Julio Franco . . .
“I’m not going to shy away from walking Frank because Franco has two more RBIs than he has,” McRae said. “Maybe Franco will chase a bad pitch. That’s always a possibility. You know Thomas is not going to chase one.”
Worth it: Thomas, taking a tip from another in-demand star, is now charging clubhouse insiders $1 each for autographs. (Fans aren’t affected.) Proceeds, which Thomas will match dollar for dollar, will go to charity. Just a way to help make the increasing hassle tolerable, Thomas said. “Ken Griffey’s been doing it for a year now,” said Thomas, “so why not? It’s all for charity.” Charity will do well.
And here’s why: Thomas started the night with a .505 on-base percentage and a .777 slugging percentage. Only two players have finished a season over .500 and .700: Babe Ruth (five times) and Ted Williams (twice).