Jump to content

Jim Thome

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jim Thome
Thome in 2015
First baseman / Designated hitter / Third baseman
Born: (1970-08-27) August 27, 1970 (age 54)
Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 4, 1991, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
October 3, 2012, for the Baltimore Orioles
MLB statistics
Batting average.276
Hits2,328
Home runs612
Runs batted in1,699
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Managerial record at Baseball Reference
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Member of the National
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction2018
Vote89.8% (first ballot)

James Howard Thome (/ˈtoʊmi/; TOH-mee; born August 27, 1970)[1] is an American former professional baseball first baseman, third baseman and designated hitter, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 22 seasons (1991–2012). A prolific power hitter, Thome hit 612 home runs during his career—the eighth-most all time. He amassed a total of 2,328 hits and 1,699 runs batted in (RBIs). His career batting average was .276. He was a member of five All-Star teams and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1996.

Thome grew up in Peoria, Illinois, as part of a large blue-collar family of athletes, who predominantly played baseball and basketball. After attending Illinois Central College, he was drafted by the Indians in the 1989 draft, and made his big league debut in 1991. Early in his career, Thome played third base, before eventually becoming a first baseman. With the Indians, he was part of a core of players that led the franchise to five consecutive playoff appearances in the 1990s, including World Series appearances in 1995 and 1997. Thome spent over a decade with Cleveland, before leaving via free agency after the 2002 season, to join the Philadelphia Phillies, with whom he spent the following three seasons. Traded to the Chicago White Sox before the 2006 season, he won the American League (AL) Comeback Player of the Year Award that year and joined the 500 home run club during his three-season tenure with the White Sox. By this point in his career, back pain limited Thome to being a designated hitter. After stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins, he made brief returns to Cleveland and Philadelphia, before ending his career with the Baltimore Orioles. Upon retiring, Thome accepted an executive position with the White Sox.

Throughout his career, Thome's strength was power hitting. In 12 different seasons, he hit at least 30 home runs, topping 40 home runs in six of those seasons. He hit a career-high 52 home runs in 2002, and in 2003 he led the National League in home runs with 47. Due in part to his ability to draw walks, with 12 seasons of at least 90 bases on balls, he finished his career with a .402 on-base percentage. Thome's career on-base plus slugging (OPS) of .956 ranks 19th all-time. In 2011, he became only the eighth MLB player to hit 600 home runs. Thome is the career leader in walk-off home runs with 13.[2] One of his trademarks was his unique batting stance, in which he held the bat out with his right hand and pointed it at right field before the pitcher threw, something he first saw in The Natural. Thome was known for his consistently positive attitude and "gregarious" personality. An active philanthropist during his playing career, he was honored with two Marvin Miller Man of the Year Awards, a Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, and a Roberto Clemente Award for his community involvement. In 2018, Thome was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.[3]

Early life

[edit]

Thome was born in Peoria, Illinois, on August 27, 1970,[4] and is the youngest of five children.[5] Many of the Thome family played sports: Jim's grandmother was hired at a local Caterpillar plant solely to play for the company's softball team; his father built bulldozers for Caterpillar and played slow-pitch softball;[5][6] his aunt Caroline Thome Hart is in the Women's Softball Hall of Fame;[7] and his two older brothers, Chuck III and Randy, played baseball at Limestone High School.[5] Thome learned to play baseball from his father on a tennis court, and also played basketball in what he described as the "ghetto" of Peoria, noting that he was the only white kid there but that he earned the respect of his fellow players.[7] One day during his youth, Thome sneaked into the Cubs' clubhouse at Wrigley Field in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain an autograph from his favorite player, Dave Kingman. Though Thome received signatures from several other players, this experience influenced him to be generous with signing autographs for fans during his playing career.[5]

As with his older brothers, Thome attended Limestone High School where he achieved all-state honors in basketball and as a baseball shortstop.[5] He played American Legion Baseball for Bartonville Limestone Post 979 in his hometown, as well.[8] Although he had hoped to draw the attention of scouts, at just 175 pounds (79 kg) he was relatively underweight for his 6-foot-2-inch (188 cm) height, meaning that he attracted only passing interest—the average Major League Baseball (MLB) player weighed 195 pounds (88 kg) in 1993.[7][9] Thome graduated in 1988 and, after not being drafted, enrolled at Illinois Central College where he continued his baseball and basketball careers.[5] After one season, he was drafted by MLB's Cleveland Indians as an "afterthought" in the 13th round (333rd overall) of the 1989 MLB draft.[7][10][11]

Professional career

[edit]

Minor leagues (1989–1991)

[edit]

For the 1989 season, Thome was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Indians, a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. He finished the year with a .237 batting average, no home runs, and 22 runs batted in (RBIs) in 55 games.[12][13] After his rookie season, he met "hitting guru" Charlie Manuel,[14][15] who later became his manager and mentor. Unlike most Indians staff, Manuel saw potential in Thome and worked hard with him, particularly on his hip motion while swinging the bat. Thome later said, "[Manuel] saw something in me I didn't." During this work, Manuel suggested to Thome that he point his bat out to center field before the pitch to relax himself like Roy Hobbs did when batting in the baseball film The Natural.[16] The work paid off; in 1990, Thome hit .340 and totaled 16 home runs and 50 RBIs in 67 games playing at both the Rookie and Class A levels of the minor leagues.[13] Thome spent most of the 1991 season splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A where, in combination, he hit .319 with seven home runs and 73 RBIs in 125 games.[13]

Cleveland Indians (1991–2002)

[edit]
Jim Thome batting left-handed in a game in 1993; he is amidst his stride forward, and is about to swing.
Thome batting for the Cleveland Indians in 1993

Thome made his MLB debut on September 4, 1991, as a third baseman against the Minnesota Twins. In the game, he recorded two hits in four at bats (2-for-4).[17][18] He hit his first career home run on October 4.[19] Injuries shortened his 1992 campaign, during which he played for both the Indians and their Triple-A affiliate, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Across the minor and major leagues that year, he combined to hit .236 with four home runs and 26 RBIs in 52 games.[20] In 1993, playing mostly for the Charlotte Knights, the Indians' new Triple-A affiliate, he led the International League with a .332 batting average and 102 RBIs, complemented by 25 home runs in 115 games.[13] This performance earned him a late season promotion to the major league, where he hit .266 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs in 47 games.[18][20]

Thome spent the entire 1994 season with Cleveland, playing in 98 games while hitting .268 with 20 home runs and 52 RBIs,[18] before the 1994 players' strike forced cancellation of the season's remaining games.[21] Thome achieved his first career multi-home run game, hitting two solo home runs on June 22, 1994, against Detroit Tigers' pitcher John Doherty.[19][22]

Thome (left) in 2015, during a reunion with his 1995 Indians teammates

Part of a strong Cleveland lineup in 1995, Thome hit .314 with 25 home runs and 73 RBIs in 137 games.[18][23] The Indians won the American League pennant but lost the 1995 World Series to the Atlanta Braves in six games.[23] Thome hit .211 in the World Series with one home run and two RBIs.[20] During the 1996 season, Thome hit 38 home runs.[24]

Before their 1997 season, the Indians moved Thome, originally a third baseman, to first base after acquiring third baseman Matt Williams from the San Francisco Giants.[24][25] That year, Thome helped the Indians set a new franchise single-season record for home runs (220), contributing 40 of them.[26] Thome also totaled an AL-high 120 walks to go along with 102 RBIs in 147 games.[18] Cleveland returned to the World Series, but they lost to the Florida Marlins in seven games; Thome hit .286 with two home runs and four RBIs in the World Series.[20]

An article in Sports Illustrated published in July 1998 commented that despite Thome's early career success (two All-Star Games and appearances in two of the previous three World Series), he was only "faintly famous" nationally and was not particularly well known outside of Cleveland or his hometown, Peoria. His former teammate Jeromy Burnitz said, "You can't really say he's underrated, because everybody considers him one of the top hitters in the American League, but he's surrounded by so many good players, it's hard to stand out on that team."[5] In August, Thome broke a bone in his right hand and spent several weeks on the disabled list, missing 35 games.[20][27][28] He finished the year with 30 home runs and 85 RBIs while posting a .293 batting average in 123 games.[18] Thome hit four home runs in the AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees, but Cleveland lost the series in six games.[29]

In 1999, Thome's batting average fell to .277, but he increased both his home run and RBI totals to 33 and 108, respectively.[18] On July 3, 1999, against Kansas City Royals pitcher Don Wengert, Thome hit a 511-foot (156 m) home run at Jacobs Field, the longest home run ever at a Cleveland ballpark.[30] Thome hit four home runs in the AL Division Series against the Boston Red Sox, but the Indians lost the series three games to two.[29]

During the 2000 season, Thome hit .269 with 37 home runs and 106 RBIs in 158 games.[20] In 2001, he finished second in the AL with 49 home runs.[31] In addition, Thome had 124 RBIs and 111 walks in 156 games.[18] However, he led the league with 185 strikeouts.[18][20]

Thome had his best season with Cleveland in 2002, leading the AL in walks (122), slugging percentage (.677) and on-base plus slugging (OPS) (1.122), while batting .304 (16th in AL) with a .445 on-base percentage (second in AL). He also hit a career-high 52 home runs (second in AL) and collected 118 RBIs (seventh in AL).[32] The 52 home runs set a new Cleveland Indians' single-season record and made Thome the 21st major league player to join the 50 home run club.[33][34] During his stint with the Cleveland Indians, when Jim Thome would hit a home run, the scoreboard would often display "THOME RUN" to mark this accomplishment. He was also known as the "THOMENATOR" during this time.[35] On December 6, 2002, Thome, who was a free agent, signed a six-year, $85 million contract[36] with the Philadelphia Phillies – he thought the Phillies were closer to winning a championship than the Indians.[37] With the Phillies, Thome's salary rose from $8 million per year to $11 million per year.[18] Thome hit a franchise record 334 home runs in his first stint with the Indians.[37][38]

Philadelphia Phillies (2003–2005)

[edit]
Thome with an outstretched glove about to catch a pickoff throw to first base; meanwhile, Terrmel Sledge dives back safely.
Thome with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005

Thome hit 47 home runs in his first season with the Phillies, finishing one behind Mike Schmidt's single-season team record of 48 in 1980, and tied with Alex Rodriguez for the MLB lead in 2003.[39][40] On June 14, 2004, at Citizens Bank Park, Thome hit his 400th career home run, surpassing Al Kaline for 37th on the all-time home run list.[41] He ended the 2004 season batting .274 with 42 home runs and 105 RBIs in 143 games.[18][20] In 2004, Thome won the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, which is given to players who best exemplify Gehrig's character and integrity both on and off the field.[42]

Thome missed a significant portion of the first half of the Phillies' 2005 season due to injury;[43] he compiled only a .207 batting average with seven home runs and 30 RBIs going into the All-Star break. He had season-ending surgery on his right elbow in August,[44] while his replacement at first base, Ryan Howard, won the NL Rookie of the Year Award.[45] The Phillies traded Thome and cash considerations to the Chicago White Sox on November 25, 2005, for outfielder Aaron Rowand and minor league pitching prospects Gio González and Daniel Haigwood.[44] Though the emergence of Howard made Thome more expendable to the squad, another factor in his trade to the White Sox was his family situation – Thome's mother, the "go-to lady" in his family and his biggest fan,[46] had died a year earlier, and he worried about his father. Since Philadelphia was willing to trade him, Thome waived the no-trade clause in his contract for the good of the team and requested that if possible, they trade him to either the Chicago White Sox or Cubs so he could be near his father.[47]

Chicago White Sox (2006–2009)

[edit]
Thome with the Chicago White Sox in 2008

Thome became Chicago's regular designated hitter in April 2006 and flourished in his first season in Chicago. He set the team record for most home runs in the month of April (10), overtaking Frank Thomas's previous record by one.[48] He also set a major league record by scoring in each of Chicago's first 17 games.[49] For the season, Thome hit 42 home runs, drove in 109 runs, and hit .288 in 143 games, though he struck out in 30% of his plate appearances, the highest percentage in the AL.[18][50] On May 1, 2006, Thome returned to Cleveland to play against the Indians in his first game as a visitor at Jacobs Field, and received an unenthusiastic reception.[51]

On September 16, 2007, Thome joined the 500 home run club by hitting a walk-off home run against Los Angeles Angels pitcher Dustin Moseley.[52] Thome became the 23rd major leaguer to reach the milestone and the third in the 2007 MLB season (the others were Frank Thomas and Alex Rodriguez), as well as the first ever to do it with a walk-off home run.[52][53] Several family members including his father were on hand to witness the accomplishment,[54] which occurred at a game during which the White Sox distributed free Thome bobbleheads to fans. Thome celebrated by pointing upward in homage to his late mother as he rounded the bases.[55]

On June 4, 2008, Thome hit a 464-foot (141 m) home run—which at the time was the ninth-longest home run in U.S. Cellular Field history—against Kansas City Royals pitcher Luke Hochevar in a 6–4 White Sox victory.[56][57] He hit a solo home run in the AL Central Tiebreaker game, which proved to be the difference as the White Sox defeated the Minnesota Twins, 1–0.[58] Thome's hitting remained strong during Chicago's 2009 season, as he hit .249 with 23 home runs and 74 RBIs in 107 games,[18] including his 550th career home run on June 1.[59] On July 17, 2009, he hit a grand slam and a three-run home run for a single-game career-high seven RBIs.[60] By the conclusion of the season, he had passed Reggie Jackson for 11th place on the all-time home run list with 564 home runs.[61]

Los Angeles Dodgers (2009)

[edit]

On August 31, 2009, the White Sox traded Thome to the Los Angeles Dodgers along with financial considerations for minor league infielder Justin Fuller.[62] Thome waived his no-trade clause because he thought the Dodgers could win the World Series,[63] but Thome's only appearances with the Dodgers were as a pinch hitter, due to chronic foot injuries that limited his mobility.[64] Thome reunited with former Cleveland teammate Manny Ramirez in Los Angeles.[65] He hit .235 (4-for-17) with no home runs and three RBIs in 17 games with the Dodgers.[18] After the season, Thome filed for free agency.

Minnesota Twins (2010–2011)

[edit]
The moment of contact between Thome's bat and a pitch from Roberto Hernandez; the image is distorted through the black screen protecting those sitting behind home plate.
Thome hitting a solo home with the Minnesota Twins against the Cleveland Indians, September 21, 2010

On January 26, 2010, Thome signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Minnesota Twins.[66] Thome hit his first home run with the Twins on April 8, during the Twins' season-opening road trip.[19] The Twins opened Target Field, their new home stadium, on April 12, 2010.[67] This was the third time in Thome's career that his team had opened a new stadium – the 1994 Cleveland Indians when they opened Jacobs Field,[68][69] and the 2004 Philadelphia Phillies when they opened Citizens Bank Park.[70] On July 3, Thome hit two home runs, passing fellow Twin Harmon Killebrew for tenth on the all-time home run list.[71] The game was stopped and the Twins played a pre-recorded message from Killebrew congratulating Thome on the accomplishment, during which Killebrew noted he was happy Thome did it while a member of the Twins.[72][73] Thome hit the first walk-off hit in Target Field on August 17, a 445-foot two-run home run in the bottom of the 10th inning against the White Sox.[74] It was the 12th walk-off home run of his career, tying him for the most all time (a record he subsequently broke).[75] On September 4, Thome again hit two home runs in a single game to tie and then pass Mark McGwire for the ninth spot on the career home run list.[76] Thome surpassed Frank Robinson's home run total on September 11, when he hit his 587th career home run in the top of the 12th inning in Cleveland.[77] Toward the end of the season, Thome commented that playing with the Twins made him feel rejuvenated.[78] He finished the 2010 season with a .283 average, 25 home runs and 59 RBIs in 108 games.[18][79] Thome posted his best slugging percentage since 2002.[80]

In January 2011, Thome accepted a one-year, $3 million contract with incentives to continue playing for the Twins.[81] On July 17, Thome hit the longest home run ever at Target Field, a 490-foot (150 m) home run into the upper deck in right-center field.[82] He hit his 599th and 600th career home runs (in consecutive at-bats) at Comerica Park in Detroit on August 15, making him only the eighth player to achieve that home run total.[83]

Second stint with Cleveland (2011)

[edit]

On August 26, 2011, Thome waived his contractual no-trade clause to return to his first team, the Cleveland Indians, in exchange for future considerations for the Twins.[37][84] On September 18, the clubs announced that Minnesota had received $20,000 for him, which Aaron Gleeman of NBC Sports called "silly" and "nothing"; Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer wrote that ticket and jersey sales alone from re-acquiring Thome covered the money they paid to acquire him.[85][86] On September 23, Cleveland held a ceremony to honor Thome, and revealed plans to erect a statue depicting him in Heritage Park. In the game, he hit a home run that landed near the proposed location for his statue.[87] While with Cleveland in 2011, Thome played in 22 games, predominantly hitting fifth in the batting order, and he posted a .296 batting average with three home runs and 10 RBIs.[18] Through 2011, Thome was second among all active major leaguers in career home runs (604; behind Alex Rodriguez) and RBIs (1,674; Rodriguez), and fifth in career slugging percentage (.556; behind Albert Pujols, Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, and Howard).[88] Thome is currently the Indians/Guardians' all-time leader in home runs (337), walks (1,008), and strikeouts (1,400).[89]

Second stint with Philadelphia (2012)

[edit]
Thome has swung through a pitch during a day game wearing his gray Phillies uniform.
Thome during his second stint with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012

On November 4, 2011, Thome agreed to a one-year, $1.25 million deal that returned him to Philadelphia.[90][91] He called coming back to Philadelphia a "no-brainer" in his news conference.[92] He also mentioned that, due to Ryan Howard's Achilles tendon injury, he would "spend the offseason preparing himself to play first base once or twice a week", despite not having played defensively since 2007.[93] Thome started his first game at first base since 2007 on April 8, 2012, during which he started a 3–6–3 double play.[94]

Thome experienced stiffness in his lower back in the Phillies' game against the Chicago Cubs on April 28,[95] and early in May, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained lower back.[96] At the time, he was batting only .100.[97] Thome returned to the club in early June, and prepared for interleague play against the Baltimore Orioles as the DH. Thome finished the nine-game interleague road trip with four home runs and 14 RBIs.[98]

On June 17, Thome became the fourth major league player to hit 100 home runs with three different teams, joining Reggie Jackson, Darrell Evans and Rodriguez.[99] Six days later, Thome hit a pinch-hit walk-off home run in the ninth inning off of Jake McGee to beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 7–6. This was Thome's 609th home run, tying Sammy Sosa for seventh all-time in home runs while also setting the new record for most walk-off home runs (13) in the modern era.[100] Thome's last game as a Phillie was an afternoon loss to the Miami Marlins on June 30. After the game (which coincided with Howard's return from the disabled list), the team announced that Thome had been traded to Baltimore to serve as their designated hitter.[101]

Baltimore Orioles (2012)

[edit]
Thome with the Baltimore Orioles in 2012

The Orioles cited Thome's veteran experience on a playoff-bound team as a primary factor in acquiring him.[102][103] Orioles catcher Matt Wieters said of Thome,

"I think you look at him and say: This is a guy who loves the game more than anyone. He's the first guy to the park, the first guy to the weight room, the first guy hitting."[104]

On July 20, Thome hit his first home run with the Orioles, his 610th of all time moving him past Sosa for seventh place all-time, against the Indians at Progressive Field.[105] On August 6, Thome was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a herniated disk; he remained on the DL until September 21.[106] In his first game back, he drove in the game-winning run in extra innings against the Boston Red Sox.[107] After beating the Indians in a game where he hit his 611th career home run, Thome said, "There's a lot [of] memories. I've had great memories on that side and then coming in here as an opponent against them. Any time you come home, they say, it's very special. It's even more special to get the W's. That's, I think, the main thing. The bottom line is I played here a long time."[108] Orioles teammates remarked at Thome's commitment to talking about the game while in the dugout. Thome remarked, "I talk the game. When I sit in the dugout during games, I talk baseball to these guys. They'll ask, 'Hey, what's this pitcher like?' or 'What about the game?' 'What about all those Indians teams you were on?' I did it to Eddie Murray when he was in his 40s."[104] The Orioles made the playoffs, but lost in five games to the Yankees during the AL Division Series. Thome hit .133 in the playoffs with no home runs or RBIs.[18]

Post-playing career

[edit]
Jim Thome's number 25 was retired by the Cleveland Indians in 2018.

On July 2, 2013, Thome joined the White Sox organization as special assistant to the general manager.[109] In the future, Thome aspires to be a manager, an aspiration that White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf wholeheartedly supports; Reinsdorf commented, "He can be a batting coach. He'd be a great batting coach, but someday he'll be a manager."[110] In March 2014, Thome clarified that he was not officially retired; while he "loves" his front office job with the White Sox, he would "have to take" a call about him playing again.[111] However, on August 2, 2014, he signed a one-day contract with the Cleveland Indians to retire officially as a member of the team.[112] In addition to his role with the White Sox, Thome currently serves as an analyst for MLB Network.[113]

On January 24, 2018, Thome was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.[3] He was formally inducted on July 29, 2018, alongside Trevor Hoffman, Vladimir Guerrero, and Chipper Jones.[114] He was the first person to be inducted as an Indian without the use of Chief Wahoo on his plaque since the mascot's inception in 1947.[115] The Indians retired Thome's number 25 on August 18, 2018.[116]

On February 23, 2022, Thome was announced as the new president of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, succeeding Brooks Robinson.[117]

Player profile

[edit]

Offense

[edit]
In the latter part of his career, Thome (photographed while with the Philadelphia Phillies) ran at a slower rate, partly due to injury

Thome is regarded as a great example of a "pure" power hitter, as indicated by his .278 Isolated Power (ISO) rating.[118] Thome's consistency was a draw for clubs to continue to sign him, even toward the very end of his 22-year career and after most sluggers' productivity fades.[119] In 2011, he was ranked the sixth-best designated hitter in MLB history by Fox Sports.[120] During his career, he compiled a .284 batting average against fastballs but compiled just a .170 batting average against sliders.[121]

Since Thome was a pull hitter, opposing teams often employed a defensive shift against him; by playing three infielders on the right side of the field and the outfielders towards his pull side, teams put themselves in better position to field batted balls.[122][123] In 2011, Lindy's Sports described him as an "extremely patient veteran slugger who launches cripple fastballs and breaking-ball mistakes to all fields", though they did note that he struck out frequently, had poor speed, and should serve only as a designated hitter.[124] During his career, he had strong power numbers; in 15 of his 22 seasons, he had a slugging percentage of over .500.[18] He is an example of a "three-true-outcome" player; 47.6% of his career plate appearances resulted in either home runs, strikeouts, or walks, the highest of all time by nearly seven percentage points.[125] Thome averaged 111 bases on balls per 162 games, and currently ranks seventh on the MLB career walks list with 1,747. He led the American League in walks in three seasons, all with Cleveland (1997, 1999 and 2002). He is a self-described slow runner, but has said that he always hustled.[125] He stole only 19 bases after 1994.[126]

Defense

[edit]
Thome sliding into second base while with the Baltimore Orioles

Thome began his career playing third base and did so until the 1997 season, when he converted to first base to make room at third after the Indians traded for Matt Williams.[127][128] Injuries, however, took their toll and confined him almost exclusively to being a designated hitter in the latter stages of his career.[119] Overall, he spent 10 separate stints on the disabled list, mostly for his back.[129][130][96][131] By the end of Thome's career, his back prevented him from playing the field effectively[132]—he played first base four times with the Phillies in 2012, which marked the first time he played the field since 2007 with the White Sox.[133] By the end of his career, writers described him as being a "huge liability in the field".[134]

Playing characteristics

[edit]

Thome was known throughout the baseball world for wearing high socks and for his unique batting stance.[5] In 1997, the Indians wore high socks for his birthday in August, but ended up wearing them for the remainder of the season out of superstition and eventually reached the World Series. Upon his return to the Indians in 2011, the club again sported the high socks as a tribute.[135] His batting stance featured him pointing his bat to center field prior to the pitch.[136] Thome adopted this stance from Charlie Manuel, who was the Indians hitting coach, and since then Ryan Howard has also adopted it.[137] Thome credits his calm demeanor to his role model during his early playing years, Eddie Murray, once commenting,

"Eddie taught me to play the game exactly the same when you fail and when you succeed. Hit a home run, hey, enjoy the moment, but then let it go. If you strike out with the bases loaded, same thing, let it go. I don't smash helmets when I strike out, because it's not the helmet's fault, it's my fault."[5]

Personality

[edit]
Thome in 2010

Thome's friendly personality has been the subject of much attention. In a 2007 poll of 464 MLB players, he tied with Mike Sweeney for second-friendliest player, behind Sean Casey.[138] After Thome hit his 600th home run, Twins closer Joe Nathan said, "He is the world's nicest man."[139] Teammate Michael Cuddyer added, "He is the nicest, gentlest, kindest guy you will ever meet ... to everything except the baseball, he still hits that really hard."[139] His kindness comes up in conversations with many MLB players.[136] When he signed with the Phillies in the offseason before the 2012 season, Phillies general manager Rubén Amaro Jr. cited Thome's constant positive attitude as a main reason for his signing.[90] As an exercise in remaining humble, he annually visited his high school prior to spring training.[6] A Sports Illustrated article said that Thome frequently signs autographs for fans and that he is "endlessly patient with requests".[5][140] In a piece for Philadelphia magazine discussing Thome's Baseball Hall of Fame prospects, sportswriter Stephen Silver wrote,

"It's not just the numbers. Thanks to his gregarious personality, Thome is the rare athlete who played in several cities and was beloved everywhere he went. I saw the Twins and Phillies play each other in Philadelphia when Thome was with the Twins, and the same two teams in Minnesota two years later when Thome was a Phillie, and the opposing crowd cheered Thome both times, even when he hit home runs for the road team. Thome was similarly loved in his long stints in Cleveland and Chicago, as well as shorter runs in Los Angeles and Baltimore."[141]

A fan poll in The Plain Dealer in 2003 named him the most popular athlete in Cleveland sports history.[142]

Career legacy

[edit]

Despite his injuries throughout his later years, Thome totaled, according to Fangraphs, 71.6 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), a sabermetrics baseball statistic intended to quantify a player's total contributions to a team.[143] He was one of few players whose prime was during the steroid era and who was not suspected of using steroids; Thome adamantly denies ever using performance-enhancing drugs.[144][145] Soon after the announcement of his front office position (which signified the end of his playing career), writers began to speculate as to whether Thome would make it to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and more specifically, whether he would gain entrance in his first year of eligibility in 2018.[146][147] Writers also questioned whether Thome's candidacy would be hindered by his lack of self-promotion and others' tendency to overlook him.[148][149]

Personal life

[edit]
Thome (right) with son Landon at the 2019 All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game in 2019

Thome and his wife, Andrea, have two children, Lila Grace and Landon.[150] He has also established funds to put his 10 nieces and nephews through college.[151] During the offseason he lives in Burr Ridge, Illinois.[6] ESPN's SportsCenter reported that shortly after his nephew, Brandon, was paralyzed in an accident, he asked Thome to hit a home run for him; Thome obliged, hitting two in the subsequent game.[152] Thome is also a philanthropist and provided help to the communities surrounding the teams for which he played. In recognition of his community involvement, he was given the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award in 2001 and 2004, and the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award in 2004.[153] In 2013, after the November 17, 2013, tornado outbreak struck Washington, Illinois, just 15 miles (24 km) from his hometown, he and his wife pledged to donate $100,000 to relief efforts.[154] Among the philanthropic endeavors Thome and his wife heavily support are Children's Home + Aid, which strives to help underprivileged children predominantly with finding care (e.g., foster care, adoption, etc.),[155] and an annual benefit to raise money for the Children's Hospital of Illinois, continuing a tradition his mother started years ago.[156] Moreover, the Thomes try "to stay connected with at least one or two organizations in each of the cities" that Thome has played.[155]

In 2019, a renovated youth baseball field in Cleveland was named the 'Jim Thome All-Star Complex' in his honor.[157]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "MLB #25 Jim Thome". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  2. ^ Catania, Jason (December 26, 2021). "Players with the most walk-off HRs in history". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Bastian, Jordan (January 24, 2018). "Jim Thome elected to Hall of Fame". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  4. ^ Schneider, Russell (2001). The Cleveland Indians Encyclopedia. Sports Publishing LLC. p. 251. ISBN 9781582613765. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bamberger, Michael (July 13, 1998). "The Pride of Peoria". Sports Illustrated. Vol. 89, no. 2. CNN. pp. 98–105. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c Verducci, Tom (August 16, 2011). "Thome reaches 600 with humility, grace and country power". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d Pluto, Terry (October 1, 1996). "Thome shows power of Peoria Indian: Third baseman's rural roots are apparent in his blue-collar work ethic and his ability to hit the ball a country mile". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  8. ^ Eminian, Dave (August 16, 2011). "Aug. 16, 2011: Limestone teammate: 'He was a competitor and a joy'". Peoria Journal Star. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  9. ^ Lee, Christopher (March 26, 2010). "Major League Baseball (MLB) Player Height and Weight". Sportsologist. Archived from the original on November 27, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  10. ^ Rogers, Phil (April 19, 2006). "Jim Thome can't stop touching all the bases". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2013 – via HighBeam Research.
  11. ^ "13th Round of the 1989 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  12. ^ Sickels, John (January 21, 2011). "Jim Thome Career Profile". Minor League Ball – SBNation.com. Vox Media. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  13. ^ a b c d "Jim Thome Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  14. ^ Lentz, Scott (January 29, 2013). "Is 2013 the Last Hoorah for Charlie Manuel in Philadelphia". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  15. ^ Lawrence, Ryan (January 15, 2014). "Report: Charlie Manuel rejoining Phillies". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  16. ^ Posnanski, Joe (September 27, 2010). "He's 40, but Jim Thome's mind isn't on retirement – Page Three". Sports Illustrated. CNN. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  17. ^ "September 4, 1991 Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins box score and play by play". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. September 4, 1991. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Jim Thome Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  19. ^ a b c "Jim Thome Career Home Runs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h Palmer, Pete, ed. (2007). Who's Who in Baseball, 2007. New York: Who's Who in Baseball Magazine Co. pp. 169–170. ISBN 978-0-910692-26-7.
  21. ^ The Baseball Chronicle. Lincolnwood, Illinois: Publications International, Ltd. 2002. pp. 592, 600, 616, 622, 650, 656. ISBN 0-7853-7012-9.
  22. ^ "Box Score of game played on Wednesday, June 22, 1994 at Tiger Stadium". Baseball Almanac. June 22, 1994. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  23. ^ a b "1995 Cleveland Indians Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  24. ^ a b "Jim Thome". Baseball Biography. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  25. ^ Ringolsby, Tracy (November 16, 1997). "Marlins, Reds begin cleaning house". Rocky Mountain News. Denver, Colorado. p. Sports. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2013 – via HighBeam Research.
  26. ^ Housenick, Mandy (October 28, 2009). "Potent Phillies, Yankees bats, homer-friendly parks could mean crowd-pleasing slugfest". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  27. ^ "Cleveland Loses Thome In Victory at Tampa Bay". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 8, 1998. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  28. ^ Pearlman, Jeff (March 23, 1999). "1999 Sports Illustrated Baseball Preview – Cleveland Indians". Sports Illustrated. CNN. Archived from the original on February 22, 2006. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  29. ^ a b "Indians Postseason Results". Cleveland Indians. MLB.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  30. ^ Passan, Jeff (July 28, 2018). "A 511-foot home run, the guy who gave it up and how Jim Thome was the godfather of modern baseball". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  31. ^ "Top 25 Home Runs in 2001 in the American League". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  32. ^ "2002 American League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  33. ^ Bryant, Howard (2006). Juicing the Game: Drugs, Power, and the Fight for the Soul of the Major League. New York: Penguin. p. 136. ISBN 978-1-4406-4955-4.
  34. ^ "Sources: Phillies, Thome agree to six-year deal". Sports Illustrated. CNN. Associated Press. December 2, 2002. Archived from the original on April 15, 2008. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  35. ^ "Progressive Field; Jim Thome; baseball roadtrip; ballpark food". The Ballpark Guide. January 5, 2012.
  36. ^ "Top 50 free agents". ESPN. July 16, 2003. Retrieved September 4, 2008.
  37. ^ a b c "Minnesota Twins trade Jim Thome to Cleveland Indians". ESPN. Associated Press. August 25, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  38. ^ Kimball, Bob (August 26, 2011). "Cleveland Indians reacquire Jim Thome". USA Today. Washington, D.C. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  39. ^ "2003 MLB Team and Player Stats". ESPN. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  40. ^ Miller, Stephen (August 26, 2006). "Wolf, Howard help Phillies hold off Mets". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  41. ^ "Baseball Roundup; Thome Hits 400th Home Run of Career". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 15, 2004. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
  42. ^ White, Paul (August 10, 2005). "Questions about honesty, lefties and public personas". USA Today. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  43. ^ Chen, Albert (August 1, 2005). "First Priority". Sports Illustrated. Vol. 103, no. 4. CNN. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  44. ^ a b "White Sox send Rowand to Phils for Thome". ESPN. November 25, 2005. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  45. ^ "Street wins AL Rookie of Year; Howard wins NL". ESPN. Associated Press. November 7, 2005. Archived from the original on February 14, 2009. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  46. ^ Zolecki, Todd (April 4, 2005). "A piece of the rock: Jim Thome's mother was his family's foundation. He's building on that". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  47. ^ Stark, Jayson (August 16, 2011). "Jim Thome a truly real and caring person". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  48. ^ "Contreras masterful again as White Sox slip past Halos". ESPN. Associated Press. April 30, 2006. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  49. ^ "Uribe powers ChiSox past Twins for eighth straight win". ESPN. Associated Press. April 23, 2006. Archived from the original on April 17, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  50. ^ "Major League Leaderboards – 2006 – Batters – Advanced Statistics". FanGraphs. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  51. ^ Merkin, Scott (May 2, 2006). "Thome, Sox silence Cleveland critics". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  52. ^ a b "For the Record". Sports Illustrated. Vol. 107, no. 12. CNN. September 24, 2007. p. 22. Archived from the original on March 25, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  53. ^ "Thome reaches 500 HR milestone in walk-off fashion". ESPN. Associated Press. September 16, 2007. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  54. ^ Merkin, Scott (September 16, 2007). "Thome family shares in joy of No. 500". Chicago White Sox. MLB.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  55. ^ Gyr, Alex (September 16, 2007). "Thome's quest for 500 ends with win". Chicago White Sox. MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  56. ^ Gano, Rick (June 5, 2008). "White Sox beat Royals in 15 on Konerko homer". Yahoo! Sports. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2008.
  57. ^ Gregor, Scot (June 6, 2008). "How far did Thome's HR fly?". Daily Herald. Arlington Heights, Illinois.[dead link‍]
  58. ^ "September 30, 2008 Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. September 30, 2008. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  59. ^ "Thome records 550th home run to put White Sox ahead of A's". ESPN. Associated Press. June 2, 2009. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  60. ^ "Jim Thome's 7 RBIs lead Chicago White Sox past Baltimore Orioles, 12–8". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 18, 2009. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  61. ^ Eymer, Rick (August 15, 2009). "Thome matches Reggie on all-time list". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on August 19, 2009. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  62. ^ "Chicago White Sox deal Jim Thome, Jose Contreras at deadline". ESPN. September 1, 2009. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  63. ^ Rogers, Phil (September 2, 2009). "Jim Thome shows once again why he's a throwback player". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  64. ^ Ely, David (September 2, 2009). "Pinch-hitting role suits Thome fine in LA". Los Angeles Dodgers. MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  65. ^ Levy, Mike (September 1, 2009). "Ex-Cleveland Indians sluggers Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez re-unite on Los Angeles Dodgers". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  66. ^ "Thome agrees to one-year contract with Twins". ESPN. January 26, 2010. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  67. ^ "Twins defeat Red Sox in first game at outdoor Target Field". ESPN. Associated Press. April 12, 2010. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  68. ^ Berman, Chris (April 4, 1994). Video: Indians win Jacobs Field opener. Cleveland, Ohio: MLB.
  69. ^ "Progressive Field History" (PDF). Cleveland Indians. MLB.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 5, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  70. ^ Shenk, Larry (April 3, 2014). "Citizens Bank Park 'firsts' through history". Philadelphia Phillies. MLB.com. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  71. ^ Hartman, Sid (July 3, 2010). "Thome humbled to pass Killebrew". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  72. ^ Kay, Joe (August 16, 2011). "Thome hits 600th home run". The News & Observer. McClatchy Newspapers. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  73. ^ "Jim Thome passes Harmon Killebrew for 10th place on HR list". Fox Sports. Associated Press. July 3, 2010. Archived from the original on July 6, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  74. ^ "Twins stretch AL Central lead to 4 thanks to Jim Thome homer in 10th". ESPN. Associated Press. August 17, 2010. Archived from the original on August 21, 2010. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  75. ^ Abnos, Alexander (June 25, 2012). "Jim Thome hits 13th walk-off home run, an MLB record". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on April 18, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  76. ^ "Jim Thome passes Mark McGwire for 9th on HR list in Twins' victory". ESPN. Associated Press. September 4, 2010. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  77. ^ "September 11, 2010 Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. September 11, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  78. ^ Posnanski, Joe (September 27, 2010). "He's 40, but Jim Thome's mind isn't on retirement – Page Five". Sports Illustrated. CNN. Archived from the original on January 17, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  79. ^ Thesier, Kelly (August 18, 2010). "Thome's blast ups Twins' lead to four games". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on August 19, 2010. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  80. ^ "Jim Thome". Retrosheet. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  81. ^ "Jim Thome gets 1-year deal from Twins". ESPN. Associated Press. January 14, 2011. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  82. ^ Schelling, Jordan (July 17, 2011). "Jim Thome's mammoth blast, No. 596, lifts the Twins over Royals". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on June 23, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  83. ^ Bollinger, Rhett (August 16, 2011). "Thome becomes eighth to hit 600 homers". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on September 18, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  84. ^ Bastian, Jordan (August 25, 2011). "Thome waives no-trade, returns to Indians". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  85. ^ Gleeman, Aaron (September 19, 2011). "Twins get $20,000 from Indians to complete Jim Thome deal". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  86. ^ Hoynes, Paul (September 18, 2011). "Tribe sends $20K to Twins to complete Thome deal". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  87. ^ "Thome's night ends with Santana's walk-off homer". ESPN. Associated Press. September 24, 2011. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  88. ^ "Ryan Howard Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  89. ^ "Cleveland Guardians Top 10 Career Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  90. ^ a b Snyder, Matt (November 4, 2011). "Jim Thome signs with Phillies". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
  91. ^ "Phillies sign Thome to 1-year deal". USA Today. Associated Press. November 4, 2011. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  92. ^ Zolecki, Todd (November 5, 2011). "Jim Thome ready to pinch-hit, play for Phillies". Philadelphia Phillies. MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  93. ^ Zolecki, Todd (November 5, 2011). "Jim Thome back with Phillies on one-year deal". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  94. ^ "Pirates' Andrew McCutchen laces game-winner vs. Phillies in ninth". ESPN. Associated Press. April 8, 2012. Archived from the original on April 11, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  95. ^ Brookover, Bob (May 1, 2012). "Jim Thome struggling as pinch-hitter". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  96. ^ a b "Philadelphia Phillies activate Jim Thome from disabled list, option Pete Orr to Triple-A". ESPN. Associated Press. June 6, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  97. ^ Housenick, Mandy (June 16, 2012). "With Interleague soon over, will Jim Thome be just a pinch hitter for the Phillies?". The Morning Call. Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  98. ^ Zolecki, Todd (June 29, 2012). "Phillies could trade Thome to AL team soon". Philadelphia Phillies. MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  99. ^ "Colby Rasmus 3 for 4 with homer, 3 RBIs as Blue Jays cap sweep". ESPN. Associated Press. June 17, 2012. Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  100. ^ Kaplan, Jake (June 23, 2012). "Thome's walk-off caps day of Phils milestones". Philadelphia Phillies. MLB.com. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  101. ^ Luca, Greg (June 30, 2012). "Orioles trade for Jim Thome from Phillies". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on July 3, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  102. ^ "Baltimore Orioles acquire Philadelphia Phillies' slugger Jim Thome". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 1, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  103. ^ Connolly, Dan (June 30, 2012). "Orioles close to closing deal for Jim Thome". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on January 17, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  104. ^ a b Carpenter, Les (July 17, 2012). "Jim Thome, he of 600 home runs, loves baseball so much it's infectious to his Orioles teammates". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  105. ^ "Jim Thome hits home run No. 610, seventh all-time". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. July 20, 2012. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  106. ^ Ghrioli, Brittany (August 6, 2012). "Thome out until September with herniated disc". Baltimore Orioles. MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  107. ^ Ulman, Howard (September 22, 2012). "Orioles Beat Red Sox: Jim Thome lifts Baltimore to 16th straight win in extra innings". The Huffington Post. Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 28, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  108. ^ "Indians lose to old friend Jim Thome". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. July 21, 2012. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  109. ^ Gonzales, Mark (July 2, 2013). "Chicago White Sox Jim Thome special assistant". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 17, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  110. ^ Van Schouwen, Daryl (February 23, 2014). "White Sox' Jim Thome wants to manage in future". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  111. ^ Heyman, Jon (March 5, 2014). "Thome loves front office job but if someone offers playing job, well ..." CBS Sports. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  112. ^ Snyder, Matt (August 2, 2014). "Jim Thome officially retires as an Indian with one-day contract". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  113. ^ "[P] – MLB Network". MLB Network. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  114. ^ "Chipper Jones, Jim Thome Highlight 2018 Baseball Hall of Fame Ceremony". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. July 29, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  115. ^ "Thome HOF plaque won't feature Chief Wahoo". ESPN. March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  116. ^ "Indians retire Hall of Famer Jim Thome's No. 25". USA Today. Associated Press. August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  117. ^ "Jim Thome announced as new president of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  118. ^ Gaines, Cork (May 23, 2012). "The 20 Greatest Power Hitters of All-Time". Business Insider. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  119. ^ a b Gleeman, Aaron (February 22, 2013). "Jim Thome is looking for work". NBC Sports. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  120. ^ "Best designated hitters ever". Fox Sports. October 10, 2011. Archived from the original on October 22, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  121. ^ "Jim Thome Scouting Report". ESPN. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  122. ^ Greenberg, Jon (May 6, 2006). "Notes: Shift doesn't bother Thome". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on April 23, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  123. ^ Bollinger, Rhett (April 5, 2011). "Defensive shift a new challenge for Mauer". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  124. ^ O'Neill, Shane, ed. (February 2011). Lindy's Sports Baseball 2011 Preview. Birmingham, Alabama: J. Lindy Davis Jr. p. 176.
  125. ^ a b Posnanski, Joe (September 27, 2010). "He's 40, but Jim Thome's mind isn't on retirement – Page Four". Sports Illustrated. CNN. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  126. ^ "Career Stolen Bases – Jim Thome". Sportometry. Tangraph Technologies. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  127. ^ Gonzales, Mark (September 14, 2007). "Moving day was a blessing: Thome's switch from 3rd base to 1st jump-started career". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2013 – via HighBeam Research.
  128. ^ Whiteside, Larry (March 1, 1997). "Indians hope Williams will be bellwether – They're counting on ex-Giant for punch". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2013 – via HighBeam Research.
  129. ^ Palmer, Pete, ed. (2012). Who's Who In Baseball. New York: Who's Who in Baseball Magazine Co. p. 175. ISBN 978-0-910692-32-8.
  130. ^ "Thome, Orioles win 16th straight in extra innings". WFXT. Associated Press. September 22, 2012. Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  131. ^ Perry, Dayn (August 7, 2012). "Jim Thome could miss rest of season". CBS Sports. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  132. ^ Vetrone, Bob Jr. (June 21, 2012). "Our Jim Thome Plan". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  133. ^ "Jim Thome Fielding Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  134. ^ "Jason Giambi, Andy Pettitte among members of age 40 club that are still making impact in majors". NESN. Archived from the original on March 25, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  135. ^ Meisel, Zack (August 26, 2011). "Indians welcome Jim Thome back by emulating his high socks". Cleveland Indians. MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
  136. ^ a b Ryness, Gar; Dewart, Caleb (2010). Batting Stance Guy: A Love Letter to Baseball. Simon & Schuster. pp. 32, 217. ISBN 978-1-4391-8172-0. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
  137. ^ Kepner, Tyler (August 20, 2011). "Thome's success rooted in a simple suggestion". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 5, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
  138. ^ "SI Players Poll: Friendliest/Unfriendliest MLB Player?". Sports Illustrated. CNN. May 16, 2007. Archived from the original on May 22, 2007. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  139. ^ a b Kurkjian, Tim (August 17, 2011). "Jim Thome as genuine as they come". ESPN The Magazine. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
  140. ^ Posnanski, Joe (September 27, 2010). "He's 40, but Jim Thome's mind isn't on retirement – Page Two". Sports Illustrated. CNN. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  141. ^ Silver, Stephen (January 16, 2013). "Jim Thome's faltering case for the Hall of Fame". Philadelphia Magazine. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  142. ^ Arcand, Tim (June 30, 2010). "Gentleman Jim Thome set to make history as a Minnesota Twin". Bleacher Report. Turner Broadcasting System. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
  143. ^ "Jim Thome – Statistics – Batting". FanGraphs. Stats LLC. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  144. ^ Shea, John (August 14, 2011). "Jim Thome has clean reputation amid steroid era". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  145. ^ Couch, Greg (August 16, 2011). "In an era of cheats, Thome is a player worth believing in". Sporting News. AOL. Archived from the original on January 2, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  146. ^ Reynolds, Dave (November 23, 2013). "Hall of Fame voters eager for Jim Thome ballot". Journal Star. Peoria, Illinois. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  147. ^ Peick, Sean (June 24, 2012). "Jim Thome's tremendous numbers likely won't be enough to get him into the Hall of Fame on first ballot". NESN. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  148. ^ Wessler, Kirk (November 23, 2013). "Why doesn't anyone talk about Jim Thome?". Journal Star. Peoria, Illinois. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  149. ^ Silver, Stephen (January 16, 2013). "Jim Thome's faltering case for the Hall of Fame". Philadelphia Magazine. The Philly Post. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  150. ^ Brown, David (December 12, 2007). "Sox entertain kids at holiday party". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  151. ^ "Jim Thome: Postseason Players". MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
  152. ^ "Thome's shot trumps McGwire's slam". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 8, 2001. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  153. ^ Hunter, Justin (July 1, 2012). "The Unappreciated Career of Jim Thome". Call to the Pen. FanSided. Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  154. ^ Merkin, Scott (November 27, 2013). "Jim Thome donates $100,000 to help with tornado relief". Philadelphia Phillies. MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  155. ^ a b Hageman, William (September 15, 2013). "Andrea Thome on why she volunteers". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  156. ^ Just, David (January 13, 2008). "Thome hosts annual charity event". Chicago White Sox. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  157. ^ Footer, Alyson (July 8, 2019). "MLB, Tribe honor Thome with All-Star Complex". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jim Thome.


Preceded by American League Player of the Month
July 2001 		Succeeded by
Preceded by National League Player of the Month
September 2003
June 2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Award created
Ken Ramos
 Indians' Minor League Player of the Year
(The Lou Boudreau Award)
1990
1993 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jim_Thome&oldid=1258059930"