Change helped Thomas> Bordick solid again

ORONO – Three years ago, lefthander Larry Thomas allowed complacency and overconfidence to derail his ascension in the Chicago White Sox organization.

Thomas straightened out his problems, became a reliever this past season and found himself in the major leagues where he compiled a miniscule 1.32 earned run average in 17 outings spanning 13 2/3 innings.

Thomas and Oakland Athletics shortstop Mike Bordick attended the Billy Swift Classic golf tournament at the Penobscot Valley Country Club here Friday. All three are former University of Maine standouts.

Thomas, used primarily against lefthanded hitters, allowed only eight hits and struck out 12. He walked six. Opponents hit a measly .167 against him.

Thomas learned a valuable lesson three years ago.

“I didn’t work as hard as I had in the past. I had just gotten married and my wife was pregnant. I got stupid and I paid for it. I had gotten too big for my britches,” said Thomas.

He reluctantly became a reliever in spring training at the request of Ron Schueler, White Sox senior vice president for major league operations but now he “loves” relieving.

“It brought out the fiery bulldog in me which I had lost for two years,” said the 25-year-old Thomas, who also regained his best pitch, his slider, after a two-year absence.

“I think the problem was my arm angle,” said Thomas. “Now that I’ve found it, I’m not going to lose it again.”

Thomas, who also throws a sinker, straight fastball and change-up, said striking out Seattle’s Ken Griffey Jr. and Tino Martinez with runners on first and second “really helped my confidence.”

He will pitch winter ball in the Dominican Republic later this month.

“I didn’t pitch many innings this year,” said Thomas, who was also 4-1 with two saves and a 1.34 ERA in 40 1/3 innings for AA Birmingham.

Thomas impressed Bordick.

“He was tough. Even though he was a rookie, he came right after hitters,” said Bordick.

Bordick finished his sixth season in the majors hitting .264 with eight homers, 44 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases in 126 games. The eight homers are a career-high.

He made only 10 errors while compiling a fielding percentage of .983, fourth in the American League for shortstops.

“I don’t know what happened. I had a little streak when my family came out in August,” said Bordick, referring to wife Monica and children Chandler, Dylan and Casey. Bordick was satisfied with his defense and situational hitting but he said he was “up and down” at the plate.