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  • Recently elected Hall of Famer Frank Thomas signs a baseball...

    Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune

    Recently elected Hall of Famer Frank Thomas signs a baseball for David Potter of Bridgeport at SoxFest.

  • Frank Thomas gives a thumbs-up as he looks at his...

    Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press

    Frank Thomas gives a thumbs-up as he looks at his retired No. 35.

  • Frank Thomas stands beside Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn as the...

    Chris Sweda, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas stands beside Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn as the former White Sox great is honored before a game at U.S. Cellular Field.

  • Former White Sox players Billy Pierce and Carlton Fisk unveil...

    José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune

    Former White Sox players Billy Pierce and Carlton Fisk unveil a likeness of Frank Thomas on the outfield wall.

  • Frank Thomas wipes away tears as he is overcome by...

    Curtis Compton / MCT

    Frank Thomas wipes away tears as he is overcome by emotion during his speech.

  • White Sox manager Jerry Manual chats with Frank Thomas at...

    CHARLES CHERNEY, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

    White Sox manager Jerry Manual chats with Frank Thomas at spring training.

  • White Sox slugger Frank Thomas.

    Ed Wagner, Chicago Tribune

    White Sox slugger Frank Thomas.

  • 2014 Hall of Fame inductees Tom Glavine, Frank Thomas and...

    Gregory Fisher, USA Today Sports

    2014 Hall of Fame inductees Tom Glavine, Frank Thomas and Greg Maddux pose with their plaques.

  • Frank Thomas chats with White Sox OF Carlos Quentin before...

    José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas chats with White Sox OF Carlos Quentin before a Sox-Cubs game at U.S. Cellular Field.

  • Frank Thomas at U.S. Cellular Field after being elected to...

    Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas at U.S. Cellular Field after being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame earlier in the day.

  • Frank Thomas is introduced at the opening ceremony during SoxFest...

    John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas is introduced at the opening ceremony during SoxFest at the Palmer House Hilton.

  • Frank Thomas hits a fly ball to right, driving in...

    Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas hits a fly ball to right, driving in a run.

  • Frank Thomas talks with reporters.

    CHARLES REX ARBOGAST, Associated Press

    Frank Thomas talks with reporters.

  • Frank Thomas with the World Series trophy.

    Chris Walker, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas with the World Series trophy.

  • Frank Thomas prior to a game against the Blue Jays...

    Dennis Wierzbicki, USA Today Sports

    Frank Thomas prior to a game against the Blue Jays at U.S Cellular Field.

  • Frank Thomas throws a ceremonial first pitch to former player...

    Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

    Frank Thomas throws a ceremonial first pitch to former player Carlton Fisk.

  • Frank Thomas does a knee high drill with help from...

    CHARLES CHERNEY, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas does a knee high drill with help from Ray Durham during workout at practice.

  • Frank Thomas clowns around with the 3rd base camerman near...

    PHIL VELASQUEZ, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

    Frank Thomas clowns around with the 3rd base camerman near the White Sox dugout.

  • Frank Thomas is joined by his family and other White...

    José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas is joined by his family and other White Sox players following his ceremony.

  • Frank Thomas speaks at a ceremony honoring him and retiring...

    José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas speaks at a ceremony honoring him and retiring his No. 35.

  • Frank Thomas with his daughter Ashley at U.S. Cellular Field...

    Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas with his daughter Ashley at U.S. Cellular Field after being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame earlier in the day.

  • Frank Thomas at the groundbreaking ceremony at his Big Hurt...

    E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas at the groundbreaking ceremony at his Big Hurt Brewhouse, a microbrewery and sports bar and grill in a historic bank building in Berwyn.

  • Frank Thomas' statue at U.S. Cellular Field.

    José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas' statue at U.S. Cellular Field.

  • Frank Thomas poses for pictures at the Genworth #LetsTalk booth...

    Timothy Hiatt / Getty Images for Genworth

    Frank Thomas poses for pictures at the Genworth #LetsTalk booth at the Taste of Chicago.

  • Giants' Barry Bonds sits with Toronto's Frank Thomas during batting...

    Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

    Giants' Barry Bonds sits with Toronto's Frank Thomas during batting practice.

  • Frank Thomas embraces White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.

    José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas embraces White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.

  • Frank Thomas visits with his dogs Bubba and Barbie on...

    NUCCIO DINUZZO, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

    Frank Thomas visits with his dogs Bubba and Barbie on Dog Day at Comiskey Park.

  • The White Sox celebrate in locker room after winning the...

    JOHN SMIERCIAK, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

    The White Sox celebrate in locker room after winning the AL Central title: Magglio Ordonez and Frank Thomas whoop it up.

  • Frank Thomas poses with his family: son Sterling, wife Megan,...

    Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas poses with his family: son Sterling, wife Megan, son Frank, daughters Sydney and Sloan.

  • Hall of Fame Electees Greg Maddux, Frank Thomas and Tom...

    Rob Kim / Getty Images

    Hall of Fame Electees Greg Maddux, Frank Thomas and Tom Glavine visit at The Empire State Building.

  • Frank Thomas and Kelly Wunsch wave to fans after the...

    JOHN SMIERCIAK, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

    Frank Thomas and Kelly Wunsch wave to fans after the Sox clinched the AL Central.

  • Frank Thomas' statue at U.S. Cellular Field.

    José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas' statue at U.S. Cellular Field.

  • Frank Thomas at the opening of his Big Hurt Brewhouse,...

    E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas at the opening of his Big Hurt Brewhouse, a microbrewery and sports bar and grill in a historic bank building in Berwyn.

  • Frank Thomas waves after addressing the crowd following his ceremony.

    José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas waves after addressing the crowd following his ceremony.

  • Hall of Fame Inductee Frank Thomas arrives with his wife...

    Gregory Fisher / USA Today Sports

    Hall of Fame Inductee Frank Thomas arrives with his wife at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

  • White Sox slugger Frank Thomas scores during a game with...

    Chicago Tribune

    White Sox slugger Frank Thomas scores during a game with Toronto.

  • Frank Thomas' family after he retired.

    Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas' family after he retired.

  • Frank Thomas acknowledges the standing ovation during the first inning...

    Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas acknowledges the standing ovation during the first inning as he returns to U.S. Cellular with Oakland.

  • Frank Thomas signs autographs before the 1999 home opener against...

    CHARLES CHERNEY, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

    Frank Thomas signs autographs before the 1999 home opener against Kansas City.

  • Frank Thomas charges the mound after getting hit by Royals...

    CHARLES CHERNEY, CHICAGO TRIBUNE

    Frank Thomas charges the mound after getting hit by Royals pitcher Miguel Asencio.

  • White Sox slugger Frank Thomas officially retired at U.S. Cellular...

    Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune

    White Sox slugger Frank Thomas officially retired at U.S. Cellular Field.

  • White Sox slugger and future Hall of Famer Frank Thomas...

    Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune

    White Sox slugger and future Hall of Famer Frank Thomas officially retired.

  • Frank Thomas becomes emotional before he addresses the crowd.

    José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas becomes emotional before he addresses the crowd.

  • Frank Thomas' statue at U.S. Cellular Field.

    José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas' statue at U.S. Cellular Field.

  • New Cubs hitting coach Von Joshua with former White Sox...

    Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune

    New Cubs hitting coach Von Joshua with former White Sox slugger Frank Thomas at the Crosstown Classic.

  • Frank Thomas acknowledges the crowd after an unveiling of gifts...

    José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas acknowledges the crowd after an unveiling of gifts by chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.

  • Frank Thomas poses for a photograph with his Hall of...

    Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

    Frank Thomas poses for a photograph with his Hall of Fame plaque with Baseball Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson, Hall of Fame chairperson Jane Forbes Clark and MLB commissioner Bud Selig at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York.

  • Frank Thomas hits a line drive to left field.

    Bonnie Trafelet, Chicago Tribune

    Frank Thomas hits a line drive to left field.

  • "The Big Hurt" hit 448 home runs in a Sox...

    Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune

    "The Big Hurt" hit 448 home runs in a Sox uniform, most in team history. Thomas drove in 100 or more runs 10 times for the Sox, including a career-high 143 in 2000. He batted .320 or better five times, leading the league at .347 in 1997. Thomas won back-to-back MVP awards in 1993-'94 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. He batted .353 with a .593 OBP in the '93 playoffs.

  • Frank Thomas gestures to his family during his speech at...

    Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

    Frank Thomas gestures to his family during his speech at Clark Sports Center during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York.

  • Ozzie Guillen answers questions from his former player and current...

    Stacey Wescott, Chicago Tribune

    Ozzie Guillen answers questions from his former player and current sports commentator Frank Thomas. Tomorrow is opening day when the Sox face the Indians.

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PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:

For White Sox fans feeling conflicted as the 112th World Series gets under way, perhaps the opinion of a team legend can provide perspective.

The most iconic Sox player of this generation, “The Big Hurt” enthusiastically hopes for a Cubs World Series title.

“I would love to see them win it, I’ll be honest,” Thomas, now an analyst for Fox, said Monday. “I’ve been in Chicago over 26 years, and heard about this curse for so long, it’s time for it to end.”

It’s a potentially ambivalent position for South Siders. The Cubs, the team they despise most of all, are making their first Fall Classic appearance in 71 years. Some Sox fans toe the traditional party line of rooting against the Cubs. Others put partisanship aside and join the proverbial big tent of civic pride.

Regarding the remaining undecideds, Thomas pointed out that despite all the success the Sox had in the 1990s and 2000s, “it always seemed to be a Cubs town, even though they were losing, the lovable losers forever. If they win the World Series, it’s probably going to be a Cubs town for a long time to be.”

Eleven years ago, the Hall of Famer played his final season in Chicago, helping the Sox win their first World Series since 1917. Regardless of the World Series result this year, Sox fans can always claim that their side ended their title drought “first.”

Thomas sees this as a time for unity. He said there should be “no hard feelings either way.”

“To watch this Cubs team, I’m very impressed with their players,” he said. “It’s great to watch young stars play the game of baseball the right way. One way or the other, I’m happy for the Cubs.”

SouthSideSox.com, the SB Nation White Sox fan community, conducted a poll at the start of the postseason, which conveyed the persistence of some “hard feelings.”

While 22 percent of respondents hoped the Cubs would just “win the World Series and get it over with,” another 43 percent wished for the Cubs to get swept out of the first round of the postseason.

Joining Thomas in the Fox studio this October has been baseball’s all-time career hits leader, Pete Rose. He gave the green light for Sox fans to root for the Cubs, if they were looking for any such affirmation.

“No matter how many games the Yankees win, the Mets fans are never going to like ’em,” he said. “… But then you start rooting for city pride, if you’re from Chicago. I wouldn’t hold it against any White Sox fan to root for Cubs, just like I wouldn’t hold it against a Cubs fan to root for the White Sox. It’s just the way I feel.”

Paul M. Banks is a RedEye contributor. @paulmbanks