You can't hear a smile.

As a radio host, it's often my job to help the listener visualize the expression on the face of my guest, which at times can speak volumes. And during last week's interview with Chicago White Sox designated hitter Frank Thomas, he had a smile on his face as wide as the Cheshire cat's. I can only hope my translation did the moment justice.

	Frank Thomas has a lot to smile about.

When I asked Thomas about that smile, his response was simple and to the point: "I'm having fun. It's just a great team." And time.

After a turbulent 2001 filled with adversity, injury and loss, Thomas is all about new beginnings. He made it clear that this season is about rebirth and moving forward, not about harboring resentment. Thomas' exuberance was so pronounced, I had the feeling you actually could hear the enthusiasm on his face.

Just two years ago, the Big Hurt was the big man in Chicago. His 43 homers and 143 RBI led the White Sox to an AL Central title and earned him a Player's Choice Award as the AL comeback player of the year.

Thomas finished second in the AL MVP race and easily could have won his third trophy had Jason Giambi not single-handedly carried the A's into the playoffs. But the spotlight definitely was on Frank Thomas.

Coming off that phenomenal 2000 season, Thomas entered 2001 less than gracefully. Contract disputes caused him to walk out of spring training, but the worst was yet to come. One month into the season, Thomas was mourning the death of his father and best friend, Frank Sr., and was facing season-ending surgery on torn right triceps muscles. All in the wake of a highly publicized and painful divorce. To make matters worse, Thomas was ridiculed by teammate David Wells for not giving 100 percent, which made for a tempestuous clubhouse.

What a difference a year makes.

This season it looks as if Thomas, who'll turn 34 on May 27, has had a big weight lifted off his shoulders. Sammy Sosa has become the hero of the Windy City, and Magglio Ordonez has stepped in and taken the leadership role with the White Sox. Thomas is just happy to be back. Right now he's just one of the guys, trying to fit in alongside teammates Mark Buehrle, Keith Foulke, Paul Konerko, Kenny Lofton and Sandy Alomar Jr..

"I don't feel the constant pressure that I've got to get it done every day or that people are going to pin the losses on my not playing well," Thomas told me. "It's not about that anymore. This team is very very solid. If we stay healthy and the pitching stays together, I think we'll win a lot of ballgames and have a chance as a playoff team."

Since his 1990 major-league debut, Thomas' numbers speak for themselves. He is the third player in baseball history to produce at least 100 RBI, 100 walks and 100 runs scored in the same year nine times. There was a five- or six-year period where Thomas was mentioned in the same breath with some of the greatest to ever play the game. He's the White Sox all-time leader in home runs and RBI. He consistently hits for high average, above .300 in 10 of his first 11 seasons and above .340 three times.

Thomas potentially could regain his superstar status. And it's possible he may never post the numbers he once did. But considering what he has been through, Thomas prefers to look at what's right. He's smiling, he's healthy and he's on a team that will challenge for the division.

"I've had a long, fun ride so far," Thomas said. "I've still got a long way to go, I feel, if I can stay healthy. But I'm just learning it's about team now, and all of the individual things have gotten me nowhere. There are no rings on my finger. It's all about that now."

So the fact that you can't hear a smile won't keep Frank Thomas from wearing one the rest of the season.