Sports

Frank Thomas Enters Hall: Does This Mean Good Guys Finish 1st?

The Chicago White Sox slugger made it into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, something players with better stats but who are tainted by accusations of steroid use haven't been able to do.

Written by Editor Joe Vince

Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Wednesday, in his first year of eligibility. 

The honor holds an extra distinction given that Thomas played during an era tainted by the rampant suspected—and verified—use of performance-enhancing drugs. Throughout his 19-season career, the Big Hurt says he was a "100-percent clean player" and didn't take PEDs, a decision that some say probably hurt his overall statistics.

READ: Check Out the Huffington Post Story for More Details

"I think, realistically, all the media knew that I was the one guy that lost the most in this whole thing with the PED era," Thomas said after learning he'd been elected to the hall. " I'm so happy I did this the right way because it meant a lot to me."

And it apparently, it meant something to the Baseball Writers of America who vote on who gets into the hall. Thomas was chosen on 83.7 percent of the ballots for his first. For comparison, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, in their second year of eligibility, didn't receive the required 75 percent needed to for induction. In fact, they received less votes this year than their first.

YOUR TURN: What do you think of Frank Thomas' induction? Does it send the right message about how fans should look at the steroid era? Share your thoughts in the comments section.


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