As last season wound down, I mentioned in this column that I strongly believed that Ken Griffey, Jr. deserved to win the 2005 Comeback Player of the Year Award. I have strong feelings about this award again this year. In fact, I think that in the American League the choice for the recipient of the Comeback Player of the Year Award is a no-brainer. Hands down, this year’s award should go to “The Big Hurt,” Frank Thomas. Let’s take a trip back in time to see why I would make such a bold statement. After a standout career at Auburn, Thomas was drafted with the seventh pick in the first round of the 1989 draft by the Chicago White Sox. Thomas played only a year in the minors and came up to the Big Show in 1990. It didn’t take him long to serve notice that he was an offensive force to be reckoned with.

Standing 6’5” and weighing in at 260 pounds, The Big Hurt was an imposing figure at the plate. In 1991, his second year in the Major Leagues, Thomas had a breakout season. Batting third in the Sox’ lineup, Thomas hit .318 while belting 32 homers and driving in 103 runs. Opposing pitchers soon learned that Thomas was no one-year wonder.

After hitting over .300 again in 1992, Thomas won his first Most Valuable Player Award in 1993, along with his second Silver Slugger Award. He again garnered MVP honors in 1994, along with his third Silver Slugger.

In 1996, Thomas reached his prime, hitting .349, bashing out 40 homeruns, and driving in 134 runs. In 1997, The Big Hurt continued his offensive barrage, hitting .347, with 35 homers and 125 RBIs.

Thomas didn’t slow down after turning 30. In 2000, the slugger again earned a Silver Slugger Award, putting up impressive numbers. Thomas hit .328 with 43 homers and 143 runs batted in.

By 2002, age and injury began to catch up with Thomas but he still performed better than most players. In 2003 he hit only .267, but still managed 42 taters and 103 RBIs.

In short, Frank Thomas was an offensive machine.

Early on in the 2004 campaign, Thomas re-injured his already bad back and, in May, broke a bone in his foot. He saw only limited action for the rest of the season and many openly questioned whether the White Sox, notorious for treating players unfairly, would bring Thomas back in 2005.

Chicago ownership and General Manager Kenny Williams invited Thomas to spring training, but activated a “Diminished Ability” clause in his contract, paying Thomas only a fraction of what the team owed him.

Needless to say, the Big Hurt was not a happy camper.

Still, Thomas showed up for spring training last year and performed well. Still, the injury bug lay just around the corner. Thomas broke his ankle in April and didn’t get back into the line up until July. Once back, he hit 12 homers in just 17 games, before going back on the Disabled List with his bad ankle. The Big Hurt missed the Chicago pennant chase and World Series victory.

As the 2006 season progressed, it became apparent that Thomas was back in full force. Use mostly as a designated hitter, The Big Hurt began to put up impressive numbers once again. As of last week, Thomas had 38 homers and 107 RBIs. Did I mention that Oakland is going to the playoffs? Did I mention that the White Sox aren’t?

Take that Kenny Williams!

Will Thomas receive the award he so richly deserves? Stay tuned.