Stepping up to the plate in the 6th inning against Rick Porcello of the division-leading Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins slugger Jim Thome found himself in a key situation to not only put his team on top, but to also inch that much closer to making history. With the game tied at 3-3 and a man on first, Thome sent the 89mph offering from Porcello deep to left centerfield for his 10th home run of the season and the 599th home run of his illustrious 21-year big league career. However, the show wouldn't end there as Thome wasted little time before joining an elite class only a select few have been a part of.
With a 6-5 lead in the 7th while facing left-handed reliever Daniel Schlereth, Thome belted a 3-run shot over the left field fence to give his team a 9-5 advantage before eventually winning the game 9-6. By doing so, Thome etched his name into the record books by becoming only the 8th player in Major League history to reach the highly coveted 600 home run plateau, joining Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa. Of those eight members, Ruth is the only player who needed less at-bats than Thome to reach 600 homers. However, one thing the club's newest member can say that nobody else can including the Bambino is that Thome's the only player to hit home runs no. 599 and 600 in consecutive at-bats.
The 40 year old veteran who's career begun in Cleveland in 1991 where he became a mainstay and a fan favorite in the Indians' line-up until heading to the National League to play with the Phillies from 2003-2005 was primarily used as a first baseman, solidifying himself among the league's best power threats. In 2006, Thome would make his return back to the American League for the Chicago White Sox where he saw a shift in positions serving as the team's everyday DH. Despite a 3-year hiatus from the AL, Thome's first season with the club would be a stellar one as he made his 5th All-Star team before earning himself Comeback Player of the Year honors. A late season trade in 2009 would send Thome to the Dodgers where he served off the bench as a pinch-hitter. With little success to show for during his brief stint in L.A., the Twins signed Thome in the offseason, making him their designated-hitter. After proving to Minnesota that he still had some fuel in the tank by belting 25 homers in 2010, the Twins organization and Thome renewed their vows during the offseason with a 1-year, $3 Million, incentive laden contract.
Despite playing most of his career in the heyday of what's been better known as the 'steroid era', Thome has climbed his way up the all-time home runs list without an asterisk next to his name as he's never had any link to steroids or any other performance enhancing drug. And though home run totals aren't looked upon like they once were, one distinction Thome has over his fellow members of the 600 home run club is that he'll go down in history as one of the most kindhearted people in baseball by not only the fans, but by his peers and those associated with the sport. Thome is respected so much so that the 36,211 fans in attendance at Detroit's Comerica Park gave him a standing ovation as he rounded the bases before being greeted by his family at home plate following his milestone.
Among those Thome thanked along his journey was former skipper of his while a member of the Phillies -- Charlie Manuel and his father Chuck who he said would, "beat him" if he ever used PED's. While Thome's future on the field after this season remains uncertain, one thing that's for sure is that his credentials are Hall of Fame worthy. Regarded by his teammates for his work ethic which is second to none coupled with his ability to hit to all sides of the field, the only flaw in Thome's career is his empty trophy case. But he'll tell you himself that not even that would cause him to lose any sleep. The next stop along Thome's journey: Cooperstown.
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