JOLIET, IL- The Joliet JackHammers have offered former Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas a contract for their upcoming 2008 season. Thomas can sign for
the JackHammers and be one of the team's four "veterans" on their roster. He will receive a monthly salary in addition to a free apartment. The
JackHammers home opener is Friday May 23rd at 7:05pm against the Winnipeg Goldeyes at Silver Cross Field.
"We need to get Frank back to Chicago where the fans love him," said JackHammers Executive Vice President/General Manager, Kelly Sufka. "Frank
will get the regular playing time he needs with no time spent on the bench. We'll work to get him as many at-bats as possible.
If Thomas does come back to play for the JackHammers, it will mark the first time he has played regularly in the Chicago area since 2005 when he finished a 16-year stay with the White Sox (1990-2005). Thomas should feel comfortable playing with the JackHammers since he has a home in the Chicagoland area.
The JackHammers are making Thomas a generous offer. In addition to receiving his Major League (eight million dollars in 2008) salary and Northern League salary and a free apartment, the JackHammers will offer incentives in his contract similar to what he had in Toronto. Thomas will receive a bonus for each power category that he leads the Northern League in: (batting average, home runs and RBI). If Thomas wins the Northern League Triple Crown, he will receive an additional bonus. Thomas had an at-bat clause in his contact with Toronto that would automatically guarantee him a contract and salary raise in 2009. The JackHammers thought about offering him a similar guarantee for 2009 but if he reaches his performance clauses, there is a good chance Thomas will not be playing in the Northern League next season!
Travel arrangements will make it exceptionally comfortable for Thomas. He'll have his own seat on the luxurious Peoria Charter coach bus during the
JackHammers road trips. With two of the club's five opponents (Schaumburg, IL and Gary, IN) under a two-hour drive, Thomas will spend less time traveling
in the Northern League than he did with the Blue Jays. As is the case with all team veterans, Thomas will get his own room on the JackHammers overnight trips
to Kansas City, KS; Fargo, ND; and Winnipeg, MB.
The JackHammers play a 96-game schedule as part of the Northern League of Professional Baseball from mid-May until late August. The JackHammers opponents are
located in Schaumburg, IL; Gary, IN; Fargo, ND; Kansas City, KS; and Winnipeg, MB.
This afternoon the JackHammers faxed a contract to Thomas's agent Jeff Borris of the Beverly Hills Sports Council. Thomas and his agent have not responded
to the JackHammers. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
