Matt Ortega

“The Big Hurt” returned the Bay as the Oakland Athletics unloaded on the Minnesota Twins, 11-2, at McAfee Coliseum.

Frank Thomas, released by the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, made an incredible offensive comeback and was a critical spark for the Athletics’ run into the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Detroit Tigers.

“I didn’t feel out of place. It really felt like I just left,” Thomas said. “I’m happy to be back. I’m happy to shake the rust off today because they pitched me tough. I’m sure their game plan was not to give in because they knew I missed a whole week, so they threw some sliders and breaking balls and ran the ball in on me. I’m just happy we got a big win.”

Thomas’ return to Oakland has this fan ecstatic. In 2006, Thomas made an incredible comeback after his final two lackluster years in Chicago as he smacked 39 home runs and drove in 114.