I met the white Frank Thomas yesterday

[mintacular]

Well, I guess my Frank Thomas story isn't over yet...I was sure I wouldn't here back from him since I scribbled my address down on a tiny scrap of paper. But I did, and with lightening-fast speed!

I received a hand-written letter in the mail thanking me for paying $5 he charges for an auto--which he donates to a cancer organization in the area. He also gave me the address of a dealer named David Shore from Oregon (anyone know him?) who could help me fill my '52 set...

(BTW--I think I'm going to send him a couple more cards for my PC to get signed, and would be glad to send yours along with them for the $5 he charges for the charity, please pm if interested...)

Well, here's the additional card he sent me. He also wrote "The Original One" under his signature in my letter which I thought was neat.

[Jim VB]

Here's my favorite Frank Thomas story.


During the 1962 season, he played for the NY Mets. This was their inaugural season and they were the worst team in MLB history. Several times, early in the season, their centerfielder, Richie Ashburn, and their shortstop, Elio Chacon, collided while chasing pop-ups. After one particularly bad collision, Ashburn talks to a coach. He was told that Chacon spoke no English and did not understand when Ashburn yelled "I've got it!"

Ashburn, being a team leader, calls a players meeting the next day. They hash it out and decide that he will yell "Yo la tengo!" in the future.


The next game, there's another short pop. Ashburn comes charging in yelling "Yo la tengo!" Out of the corner of his eye he's watching Chacon, who immediately slams on the brakes and veers off. Ashburn then proceeds to get flattened by leftfielder Frank Thomas, and the ball drops.

Frank had skipped the team meeting, and spoke no Spanish.

As Thomas is helping Ashburn up he says to him, "What the hell is a yellow tango?"

[mintacular]

Funny story JimVB, thanks

[Rickyy]

Originally Posted by Jim VB

Here's my favorite Frank Thomas story.


During the 1962 season, he played for the NY Mets. This was their inaugural season and they were the worst team in MLB history. Several times, early in the season, their centerfielder, Richie Ashburn, and their shortstop, Elio Chacon, collided while chasing pop-ups. After one particularly bad collision, Ashburn talks to a coach. He was told that Chacon spoke no English and did not understand when Ashburn yelled "I've got it!"

Ashburn, being a team leader, calls a players meeting the next day. They hash it out and decide that he will yell "Yo la tengo!" in the future.


The next game, there's another short pop. Ashburn comes charging in yelling "Yo la tango!" Out of the corner of his eye he's watching Chacon, who immediately slams on the brakes and veers off. Ashburn then proceeds to get flattened by leftfielder Frank Thomas, and the ball drops.

Frank had skipped the team meeting, and spoke no Spanish.

As Thomas is helping Ashburn up he says to him, "What the hell is a yellow tango?"

That's a great story!

[4815162342]

Hilarious, Jim!

[doug.goodman]

That's the best story ever. Even my wife is laughing.

[pclpads]

[QUOTE=mintacular;804877]Well, I guess my Frank Thomas story isn't over yet...I was sure I wouldn't here back from him since I scribbled my address down on a tiny scrap of paper. But I did, and with lightening-fast speed!

I received a hand-written letter in the mail thanking me for paying $5 he charges for an auto--which he donates to a cancer organization in the area. He also gave me the address of a dealer named David Shore from Oregon (anyone know him?) who could help me fill my '52 set...

Pat - Dave Shore had a card shop in San Diego - "Baseball Cards Plus" - for several years. Sold it about ten years ago and moved to Bend, OR. Once up there he used to regularly run ads in SCD, where he'd sell you cards on approval: i.e., if you don't like it, send it back and don't pay. Quite an archaic concept today. He's a really good guy.