The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
HOF an ‘absolute dream’ for Thome
Jim Thome, humble as ever, says his life really hasn’t changed since Jan. 24 when he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame the first time he was on the ballot. That’s because he won’t let it change.
The former Indians slugger — along with Chipper Jones, Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, Trevor Hoffman and Vladimir Guerrero — will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., on July 29.
Thome hit 612 home runs, eighth most all-time, and walked 1,747 times — seventh most alltime. Thome, Babe Ruth, Mell Ott, Carl Yastrzemski, Ted Williams and Barry Bonds are the only players in baseball history to accumulate at least 1,700 walks and 1,699 RBI. So it isn’t like Thome isn’t overwhelmed and humbled about what he will soon experience. It’s just that he is so grounded he won’t let the honor inflate his ego.
“It’s been an absolute dream,” Thome said July 20 on a conference call from Cooperstown.
“... it’s truly been a great ride and continues to be that.
“When you get elected into the Hall of Fame and you see the joy and excitement of what it brings to your family, friends and your coaches — all those great managers I got to play for. I don’t want to say my life has changed too much. I try to keep that pretty simple, but it’s been very special to share this with the ones you really care about, and the people that are genuinely good fans that are happy for you. That means so much.”
Thome spent 13 of his 24 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Indians. He also played for the White Sox, Twins and Orioles in the American League plus the Phillies and Dodgers in the National League.
Thome was part of the Indians lineup that made Jacobs Field a magical place to be more than 20 years ago. He was part of the team that lost the Word Series to the Braves in 1995 in six games and to the Marlins in 1997 in seven games. In all, the Indians made the playoffs six times during the stint Thome played for them from 1991-2002.
Thome also played 22 games for the Indians in 2011 and recalled the warm reception he received.
“I’ll never forget those signs the fans made,” Thome said. “Not really knowing how I was going to be perceived when I came back, it felt very good. I felt welcomed. I felt the fans were ready to embrace coming back. For me, it was a huge part of my career that I got to go back and share that and go back to the original organization that took care of me for so many years and share that.
“It was a very special night. I’ll never forget the moment walking to home plate when my name was introduced and that standing ovation. It was incredible.”