Last year, the National Baseball Hall of Fame paid tribute to Dr. Frank Jobe, a surgeon who extended the careers of dozens of pitchers who underwent his “Tommy John” elbow-repair surgery. Jobe died this past March, but that doesn't mean physicians didn't get recognized at this year's ceremonies held July 27.
In his 17-minute speech, White Sox slugger Frank Thomas thanked 138 people, including his family, his high-school, college and major league coaches, his teammates, his agent, announcer Ken “Hawk” Harrelson who Thomas said changed his life when he nicknamed him “The Big Hurt,” and several more. He later joked he had to cut about 50 names to keep his speech from running overtime, but he made sure to make time to thank the team of medical specialists who kept him on his often-injured feet.
“I want to have a special thanks to all my doctors, I couldn't include all of you today, but a few of you, I'd like to say, thanks again,” Thomas said.