Former White Sox Staffer Brings Lucky Charm To Diamondbacks’ Game 7 Victory
The Diamondbacks had a little extra luck on their side Tuesday night in Philadelphia and it came in the form of a White Sox World Series ring.
Chicago native and Mount Carmel High School alumni Alek Thomas was in a Game 7 of the NLSC with an opportunity to help send the Diamondbacks to the World Series for the first time since 2001. His father, Allen brought his 2005 World Series championship ring with him and wore it throughout the game for good luck. The Diamondbacks went on to beat the Phillies 4-2.
Allen Thomas was the former Director of Strength and conditioning for the White Sox before being relieved of his duties following the 2021 season.
Thomas was with the organization for 27 years. He was drafted in the 45th round of the 1996 draft and spent two seasons as an outfielder in the White Sox minor league system before transitioning to coaching.
Thomas was hired as a minor-league conditioning coach in 1998. He spent six seasons on the White Sox minor league conditioning staff including 2003 as a minor league coordinator.
In 2006 he earned the Nolan Ryan Award, which is presented annually to a coach whose accomplishments represent a dedication to strength training and conditioning in the eyes of their peers. During the 2016 All-Star game in San Diego, he worked on the American League staff.
Despite the family ties to the organization the White Sox opted to pass on Allen’s son Alek in the 2018 MLB Draft. Alek has emerged as an excellent defensive outfielder for the D-backs. Over his last two seasons, he has 11 Defensive Runs Saved in Center Field. This season his Outs Above Average placed him in baseball’s 91st percentile.
During the Diamondback’s postseason run, Thomas has recorded seven hits four home runs, and six RBIs.