SHOULD HAVE KEPT HIM AND DUMPED KONERKO:

Thomas sets mark, homers in 6th straight (The Associated Press, 9/12/06)

Frank Thomas homered in his sixth straight game Monday night, setting an Oakland Athletics record in a 9-4 loss to Minnesota.

Thomas hit the first pitch he saw in the fourth inning from Minnesota starter Carlos Silva just over the wall and beyond center fielder Torii Hunter's reach, giving Oakland a 1-0 lead. It was the 36th homer and 98th run batted in of the season for Thomas, making a strong comeback after ankle injuries hampered the final two of his 16 seasons with the Chicago White Sox.

The major-league record for consecutive games with a home run is eight, set by Pittsburgh's Dale Long (1956), Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees (1987) and Seattle's Ken Griffey Jr. (1993).

Not only is his comeback one of the best stories off the year, but he's gotten better as the season goes on, unlike Nomar who fell apart in the second half.

Posted by Orrin Judd at September 12, 2006 12:04 AM