[Frank wanted some ideas to write for his blog, so I asked him some questions about his personal card collecting habits. His answers are below.]

 

How did you start collecting baseball cards?

 

I started collecting when I was a youngster.  I used to flip the cards I wanted or needed for my sets. I also used the duplicates to trade with friends.  I have completed Topps sets from 1953 to 2007. I also have some duplicate sets.

 

A few years ago, you lost almost your entire collection in a fire - would you like to tell your readers little bit about it?

 

I kept my sets on the top shelf in the garage. They were in big boxes wrapped with paper.  All of the paper went up in flames and destroyed all of the cards. Once the fans knew about the fire by someone writing an article in Sports Collectors Digest, I started getting calls and cards from all around the country.  An organization named OBC (Old Baseball Cards) made me an honorary member.  It is this organization and those all of you fans, such as the ones that have stood in line waiting for my signature are the ones who have really helped me rebuild my sets. [To see some of the cards Frank still needs, visit his want list page. Also note, his collection is now kept in a much more safe and secure location.]

 

I know you only collect Topps sets, why?

 

I collect the Topps sets because that was the company that first signed me to their cards after they bought out Bowman.  My first two cards were with Bowman.

 

You have a large family, do any of your children collect cards?

 

No, my children do not collect cards.  One of my grandchildren started, but he got older and other things began to interest him more.

 

Do you collect any sports cards other than baseball cards?

 

I do not collect other sports cards.

 

In your playing days, did you ever trade cards with other players?

 

No, I did not trade cards with any other player.  I just asked them for their card, and if they had any they would usually give it to me.

 

What is your favorite card or set?

 

I like the 1958 set because it is a colorful set.

 

Thank you,

 

Frank Thomas

"The Original One"

1951-1956

 

[If you have any questions for Mr. Thomas, just ask them in the Q&A section of the forum and I will make sure he gets them.  The most recently asked questions have already been forwarded and will hopefully be answered in next months blog.]

I was asked to write this blog about what was a typical day like when I played with the Pirates.

 

Most of our games were usually played at night except for Sunday double headers. I would wake up in the morning and have my breakfast.  Then I would sit down and read the morning paper. After reading the paper if I had any fan mail to answer, I would then take care of that. When I had to be at the ballpark early my wife would have dinner for me about 2:30 or 3:00 PM. I would then leave for the park. I would put on my uniform and go out and get ready for batting practice.  Once our batting practice was over we would go into the clubhouse and check our mail.  If there was any important mail that had to be answered right away, I would take it with me.  Otherwise, I would put my fain main in the shoebox above my locker and leave it there until I went on a road trip.  I would then take the shoebox with me to answer my mail.

 

I did not really have any game-time “rituals.”  The only I had was to do my stretching exercises so that I would be loose for the game. After the visiting team finished their batting practice, I would go out and take infield practice.  As a leftfielder, I would take maybe 3 ground balls and then throw them to second base and then 3 to third, then three to home plate.  If I was playing right field, I would throw 3 to third and three to home. Some of the time I even played centerfield. . . .

 

Before the game there was a little time to sign some autographs.  Most of the time I used to sign after the game.  When I would come out, everyone would line up in a single file and I would sign until everyone was finished.  If someone tried to crash the line, I would tell them to go to the end of the line.  Now, if any of them started to push and shove and crowd in around me, I would tell them if they do this I would walk away.  I did this in every park I played in.  now, if I had to catch the bus with the other players back to the hotel I would tell the fans to write to me at the ball park Forbes Field and I would honor their request.

 

When you played any sport it is a team effort.  You have to try and get along with everyone.  There is a lot of kidding and agitating among the players.  You know which ones could take it and those that couldn't.  You never try to hurt any of your teammates. Everything is done for fun.

Until next time.  If you have a question for me to answer, just put it on my website [post it on the new Frank Thomas Forum] and I will try to answer you.

 

Thank you,

 

"The Original" Frank Thomas