(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — White Sox legend Frank Thomas reminded his followers on social media that he wasn’t dead on Friday, after a mix-up on a national news segment indicated the Hall of Fame baseball player had passed.
It happened during an “In Memoriam” segment on Fox News, which included videos of Thomas playing and speaking at a podium with the caption: "Frank Thomas; 1968 – 2023."
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m very sorry my ex-employer, Fox, would be this irresponsible on national TV this morning,” the former first baseman wrote on social media. “Yes, I’m alive and doing well.”
Fox was attempting to pay respect to Frank Joseph Thomas, who was a professional outfielder and third baseman between 1951 and 1966 for several teams, including the Chicago Cubs. He died in January 2023 at the age of 93.
Much like the White Sox’s Frank Thomas, Frank Joseph Thomas was a productive hitter. He was a three-time All-Star, and his 34-home-run season for the New York Mets in 1962 remained the team’s single-season record until 1975.
The similarities don’t end there. Chicago’s Frank Thomas was nicknamed “the Big Hurt,” while the nickname for Frank Joseph Thomas was “the Big Donkey” — a reference to his larger than average size.
“The Big Hurt” told his social media followers that the error “blows my mind.”
Chicago’s Frank Thomas is 55 years old.
The network issued an on-air correction and apologized for the error.
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