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COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Frank Thomas delivered what figures to be the most memorable speech at Sunday’s National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony with an address that was both emotional and full of thanks. At the tail end of the speech, Thomas named 138 former teammates in rapid-fire succession. The list included players from the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays. Inductees were limited to a 10-minute speech and by the time Thomas gets to the teammates portion he had already reached the 15-minute mark. Here is the transcription of a two-minute portion of the speech where Thomas showed that perhaps a job as an auctioneer is in his future: “I don’t have all day here, I only have 10 minutes and I might be over. Sorry. I’m an emotional guy because I wear my heart on my sleeve. So I will give my guys a verbal montage. Please bear with me. “One Dog, Rock, Grabek, R.V., Ozzie, Joey, Pudge, Karko, Psycho Lyons, Bo, Ellis, Black Jack, the Deacon, Sugar Ray, Alex, Wilson, Bere, Roberto, Thiggy, James Baldwin, Billy Bob, Buehrle, Hot Rod -- thanks for the program Hot Rod. “D. Bo, Magglio, Carlos, Rowand, Jermaine Dye. He’s here today along with Aaron Rowand. Ivan, Phil, Paulie, Crede, Uribe, Charles Johnson, Sandy, T. Phillips, Harold, Melido, Howry, Folke, Mike Jackson, Flash, Kenny, Sandy, A.J., Robbie, McIlroy, Maerullo, Spanky, Julio, Willie Chill, Singleton, Mouton, Davey, El Duque, Fordice, Leifer, G. Bell, C. Everett, Danny Pasqua, D.J., McCaskill, Paul, Huff, Valentin, Abbott, Devereaux, Cammy Cam, John Kruk, Sirotka, McGrane, Freeman, Krueter, Norton, Tartabul, D. Lew, Scott Eyre, Navarro, Bradford, Castillo, Mark Johnson, Garland, Lowe, Eldred, Grafanino, Marte, Bartolo, Cotts, Glover, Loaiza, Contreras, Freddy, Politte. “I know it’s long. Sorry. “Jenks, Lee, B.A., Podsednik, Blanton, Keko, Duke, Gaudin, Harden, Haren, Kotsay, The late Joe Kennedy. He left us too soon and was a special friend of mine. Saarloos, Huston, Zito, Kendall, Melhuse, Swisher, Chavy, Crosby, Ellis, D.J., Scutaro, Milton, Kielty, J. Payton, Doc Halladay, Accardo, A.J., Downsie, Frasor, Rios, Casey, League, McGowan, Marcum, B.J., Towers, A. Hill, Vernon, Johnny Mac, Orlando, Reed, Raja and Big Red. “Yeah it was real. You guys were my family away from home. I miss all of you. I’m glad to have known all of you. I’m sorry I couldn’t name the rest of you guys. I’ll probably get hit in the head right now from the guys in the back. But thank you man.” Thomas admitted after the speech was completed that he omitted 50 teammates knowing that he was short on time and offered an apology to anybody that didn't hear their name.
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