Fox News recently made an embarrassing mistake during an “In Memoriam” segment, displaying the wrong Frank Thomas. Instead of paying tribute to Frank Thomas, the outfielder who was a three-time All-Star with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the network showed The Big Hurt, the Hall of Fame first baseman/designated hitter who starred for the Chicago White Sox.
The error quickly caught the attention of the real Frank Thomas, who took to Twitter to set the record straight. He reassured his fans that he is alive and well. Host Julie Banderas later issued a live correction on air, apologizing for the mistake.
The deceased Frank Thomas had a notable career, batting .266 with 286 home runs. He played for several teams, including the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Houston Astros.
On the other hand, the still-alive Frank Thomas had an illustrious career that earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was inducted on the first ballot in 2014, thanks to his impressive batting average of .301 and 521 home runs.
This mix-up is not the first time a famous athlete has been falsely declared dead. In an episode of the TV show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” Hall of Fame player Wade Boggs was mistakenly declared dead. The storyline revolved around the gang attempting to beat Boggs’ drinking record.
Mistakes like these can happen, but they highlight the importance of fact-checking and accuracy. In the age of social media, misinformation can spread quickly, causing confusion and distress for individuals and their loved ones. It is crucial for news outlets to verify information thoroughly before presenting it to the public.
While Fox News has apologized for the error, incidents like this serve as a reminder for media organizations to be diligent in their reporting. Accuracy should always be a top priority to maintain the trust and credibility of the news industry.
In conclusion, Fox News made a significant blunder by displaying the wrong Frank Thomas during an “In Memoriam” segment. The mix-up between the deceased outfielder and the living Hall of Fame first baseman/designated hitter showcased the importance of fact-checking and accuracy in journalism. It also served as a reminder for all media organizations to be diligent in their reporting to avoid spreading misinformation.
