Tune That Name (California Home Men's Club Quiz)

California Home Men’s Club Quiz
Tune That Name!
From: “Achieving Coincidence” March 2006
B.C., A.D.


Who is he? A large, right-handed batter (and right-handed thrower), he made an August debut in his debut season at the age of 22. In his first full season, he reached the 30 HR, 100 RBI, .500 SA marks that indicated promise of even greater things to come. He hit over 20 homers in 9 of his first 10 full seasons, with more RBI than Ks during 5 of his 6 full years.

He played in the first of his three All Star games (his team winning one, losing two), in his fourth season. In his fifth full season, he led the league for the only time in sacrifice flies, with 12. He tied for the major league lead in games played in his sixth season.

In his seventh season, he had the only three-homer game of his career (note: the homers were consecutive, on the road). In his tenth full season (as in his first full season), he led his team in HRs, RBI and SA.

He was a selection on the Sporting News’ major league All Star team, as an infielder. He became his team’s single-season home run record-holder (a title he later relinquished). For a short while, he wore #15 . . . .

At the age of 29, he had his only season of exactly 35 homers. He had 109 RBIs the only year he had exactly 65 extra base hits, but never won an RBI crown--one second place finish was his best showing in that category. He was part of his team’s first four-homer innings in club history and multiple three-homer innings. He reached double figures in HP but one time, but by age 35 he had his twelfth season of HR double figures (by that age, he had reached his career HR high).

Although not known for fielding or speed, he did have a 1.000 fielding average and a 100% SB percentage season during his stay in Chicago. He left Chicago for good after his sixteenth season. Sadly, he never got to play in a World Series during those years, although in his last year with his first franchise, he played for a future World Series’ winning manager, in his second full year at the helm. (He did play regularly with a Hall of Fame immortal with that first team.)

Although he did not play a majority of his career games at first base, his best OBP season came at that position.

Hint: At one point, following his most unproductive Chicago season to date, still no other player in baseball history with a last name beginning with a “T” had hit more than his 286 career homers!

Extra hint: He was born a Gemini, during the beleaguered administration of an unpopular, only once-elected president.

Penultimate hint: His full name contains 17 letters (5 for first, 6 for middle, 6 for last)

Final hint: He has the same name as another player who also exactly fits this entire description. (See “Didymas, “A Gnostic Gospel.”)

Answer: Frank Thomas! Question: Which one? Answer, too: Both!!