The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Thome raves about Cleveland in speech
Excerpts from former Indians slugger Jim Thome’s Hall of Fame acceptance speech July 29 in Cooperstown, N.Y.: OPENING REMARK » “These last few months have been a whirlwind for a kid that grew up in Peoria, Ill., hitting rocks in our gravel driveway until my family and neighbors couldn’t take it anymore. This is the ultimate dream come true. I was only in college for a short time before being drafted (by the Indians), but I can’t imagine a fraternity experience I could have had would have been better than this one. This is the ultimate fraternity.” ON THE WRITERS AND FANS » “To the (baseball) writers who wrote my name on their ballots. I’m honored that you think I’m worthy, and I hope that I continue to prove you right. To the fans who have rooted for me throughout my career. Your support has meant everything. It was the pleasure of my life to play hard for you for 22 years.” ON WHEN BEING A HALL OF FAMER SUNK IN » “When the great Henry Aaron called me and welcomed me into this great brotherhood. I’m in awe of each of the (Hall of Famers) gathered behind me . ... Being here, the overwhelming feeling I have is respect because those who came before me are the shoulders we humbly stand on today.” ON FORMER INDIANS MANAGER CHARLIE MANUEL » “From the moment I met Charlie Manuel as a wideeyed kid in the Gulf Coast League, I knew this was someone I could connect with instantly. Charlie took a scrappy young kid who was anxious to hit a million home runs and encouraged him to chase those dreams. He told me I could as many home runs as I wanted to. From Day 1, he always believed in me. You know I wouldn’t be standing here without you. Thank you for everything, but mostly thank you for your loyalty.” ON THE CITY OF CLEVELAND » Both as a city and an organization, my time in Northeast Ohio shaped the man I am today. (Former late Indians owner) Dick Jacobs had the vision and the team he built with John Hart, Dan O’Dowd and Mark Shapiro were majestic. The Dolan family is doing a great job and I’m grateful they’ve been so generous to my family over the years.” ON HIS EX-INDIANS TEAMMATES » Wow, the top of that order. (Kenny) Lofton, (Omar) Vizquel, (Carlos) Baerga, (Albert) Belle and my first roomie in the bigs Sandy Alomar. And a rock-solid Charlie Nagy on the hill. Two veteran leaders in Eddie Murray and Dave Winfield. To name one of them is to name all of them. Those guys are my brothers. And to my manager Mike Hargrove, thank you for continuing to write my name in the lineup even when I was struggling.” ON LIVING OUT HIS CHILDHOOD DREAM » I never forgot that dream, even after I became a major-league player because I could see the reflection of those dreams whenever I saw a kid in the stands. Or when a child would come up to just say hello. The significance came when I toured the Hall for the first time as a member. ... At the moment, I realized my dream did not live in my head. It lived in my heart. I still can’t believe this has happened to me, a 13thround draft pick. To every kid who is dreaming of standing here one day, take it one moment at a time. Don’t sail too high or sink too low. Learn to be good at handling failure. Be the first one to the ballpark. Be the last one to leave. Work hard, don’t complain, be a great teammate. Above all, treat people with respect.” ON HIS PARENTS » “Dad, thank you for not only teaching me about the game of baseball, but how to be a man and always put family first. When we came here 10 years ago to deliver my 500th home run ball, it was an incredibly special moment. But I’m guessing that you think this is just a little bit better. (Looking up in the sky) Mom, you’ve been gone for 13 years. I wish you could have been here today . ... I hope you can be proud of the man I’ve become. You can take a lot of credit for it.”