"Big Hurt" to work Cubs-White Sox games for CSN
Posted by Ed Sherman 6/9/2009 on Chicago Business
Frank Thomas is coming back to Chicago.
Not as a hitter, although the White Sox could use every bit of help they can get these days. Rather, "The Big Hurt" will return as a special analyst for the upcoming White Sox-Cubs games.
Mr. Thomas will work the extended pre-game and post-game reports for Comcast Sports Net's coverage of 5 of the 6 games; Fox has the Saturday afternoon games at U.S. Cellular Field.
A representative for Mr. Thomas recently contacted Charlie Schumacher, CSN's senior news director, saying that the former Sox slugger was interested in doing some work for the network. The Crosstown series was a natural starting point. Mr. Thomas will work live from the ballpark for the pregame shows and either at the ballpark or in studio for the post-game shows.
It remains to be seen if Mr. Thomas will do more work for CSN beyond the Cub-Sox games. Bill Melton has been a fixture as CSN's studio analyst for the Sox.
This isn't Mr. Thomas' first plunge into being an analyst. Previously, he worked in the studio for TNT's coverage of the 2007 playoffs.
He didn't receive glowing reviews, as he looked stiff and uncertain. To be fair to Mr. Thomas, most active players (he still was with Toronto) often struggle when they get thrown so quickly on the big stage.
It should be different for Mr. Thomas at CSN. This is the town where he became a huge star. That should provide him with more a comfort zone, allowing his true personality to emerge. Remember Mr. Thomas always has been an engaging interview.
Also, the move signals Mr. Thomas' re-entry into the White Sox orbit. Let us not forget Mr. Thomas ugly departure from the team after 2005. The war of words prompted General Manager Kenny Williams to launch one of the all-time tirades against him.
The situation has cooled since then. When Mr. Thomas visited Chicago in an opponent's uniform, the Sox gave him a nice scoreboard tribute.
With the Sox being a part owner of CSN, the team had to sign off on Mr. Thomas coming in as a special analyst. It is an important step in what will eventually see the team retiring No. 35 and erecting a statue in his honor.
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