Today in Performance Sneaker History: Frank Thomas Hits 1st Sox Homer at Comiskey Park in Nike

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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On April 18, 1992, the Chicago White Sox began a new chapter in franchise history as they played their first game in the new Comiskey Park, which is known today as U.S. Cellular Field. The new stadium replaced the original Comiskey Park, where the White Sox had played since 1910 and was the oldest in-use park in baseball until its demolition.

Just four days later, on April 22, a young slugger by the name of Frank ThomasĀ would help to break in the park as the first White Sox player to hit a home run in new the Comiskey. Thomas had made his major league debut during the tail end of the previous year, but this was his first official full season. And that was just the beginning for "The Big Hurt". Frank Thomas would go on to become one of the most popular baseball players of the '90s and remain in the MLB for eighteen years. He finished with a career batting average of .301 and 521 home runs, which places him amongst a list of historic names such as Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron.

Later in his career, Thomas would sign an endorsement deal with Reebok, producing some of the most memorable baseball trainers of the era. Early on, however, "Big Hurt" was a fan of the Swoosh, and wore these vintage Nike cleats in '92. The high-top style is something that you don't see very often on today's baseball cleats, but it makes sense that someone with hulking power like Thomas would need a little extra support.

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