Thomas sculpture to be unveiled today

Frank Thomas is still leaving his mark on White Sox baseball.A life-size sculpture of the five-time American League all-star will be unveiled at U.S. Cellular Field before Sunday#146;s game against the Boston Red Sox.#147;Frank was one of the best right-handed hitters I#146;ve ever seen,#148; White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said of his former teammate. #147;This guy was amazing, he can do a lot of things.#148;The ceremony begins at 12:20 p.m., in the left-field concourse where the statue will be located. The first 20,000 in attendance will receive a replica version of the statue.Thomas was honored last year when the White Sox retired his No. 35 uniform.#147;Frank#146;s the best hitter this organization has ever had top to bottom,#148; said White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who played with Thomas for seven seasons. #147;They did his number last year, now the statue this year, Hall of Fame in a couple years. I#146;m sure he#146;s going to be a first-ballot Hall of Fame guy ... he#146;s had a heck of a career.#148;Thomas was drafted by the White Sox in the first round in 1989 and went on to become the franchise#146;s all-time leader in multiple offensive categories, including home runs and RBI. Thomas also recorded consecutive MVP awards in 1993-94, becoming the 11th player in major-league history to do so.#147;As a younger guy growing up, I mean he was pretty much White Sox baseball,#148; Konerko said. #147;I mean that#146;s who you followed, you watched the games to watch him hit. I#146;m just happy for him.#148;Thomas left the White Sox in 2005 as a free agent and played for Oakland, then Toronto, eventually retiring in 2008 as an Athletic. However, Guillen said he believes the #147;Big Hurt#148; is best known for his 16 seasons as a White Sox first baseman and designated hitter.#147;I think when you talk about the White Sox organization over the years, I think Frank Thomas#146; name comes up No. 1,#148; Guillen said. #147;Frank did a lot of great things for this organization, for this city and I think he earned it.#148;