Jim Thome
| Birthdate | 08/27/1970 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1991 |
| Year of Induction | 2018 |
| Teams | Dodgers, Indians, Orioles, Phillies, Twins, White Sox |
| Positions | Designated Hitter, First Base, Third Base |
At the time of his retirement, only five players hit more homers than Jim Thome; he finished with 612 homers, 1,699 RBI and a .402 OBP.
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Jim Thome's consistent excellence and career numbers made him a first-ballot Hall of Famer
Jim Thome's consistent excellence and career numbers made him a first-ballot Hall of Famer
Jim Thome quietly had had a historically great playing career. The 6’4″, 250 pound giant slammed 612 home runs. At the time of his retirement, only six men had hit more.
Thome wasn’t just a slugger. His keen eye at the plate led to 1,747 walks and a .402 career on-base percentage. Thome is one of only six players in MLB history with at least 500 homers, 1,500 runs scored, 1,600 RBI, and 1,700 walks. The others? Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, and Mel Ott.
Thomas played for six teams in his 22 big league seasons, the Indians, Phillies, White Sox, Twins, Dodgers, and Orioles.
He had 12 seasons of 30 or more homers and 9 seasons with at least 100 walks. Six times Thome’s OPS was higher than 1.000. His career mark stands at .956.
From 1996-2004 Thome was at his best. During the 9-year run he had a .416 on-base percentage and averaged 41 homers, 111 RBI, 104 runs, and 114 walks per season. His OPS was 1.004.
Thome retired in 2012 with 612 homers, 1,699 RBI, and a career OPS+ of 147. With those numbers, he was a first-ballot selection for the Hall of Fame in 2018. He is also renowned as one of baseball’s nicest and kindest gentle giants.
Thome signed this contract on February 24, 2002 just before beginning a season in which he’d hit a career-best 52 homers. Over the duration of the contract Thome made two All Star teams and led the league in homers for the only time in his career.
