Jim Thome Hits Number 600 (AP Photo)
“Not only is he a great player, but he’s a great individual… I think he was a little apprehensive about passing me up. I said, ‘Jim, I passed a lot of guys up myself along the way. I hope you hit 100 more.'” Harmon Killebrew on Jim Thome passing him on the home run list with 574 Home Runs in 2010.
There was little build up or fanfare leading up to the Twins and Tigers game tonight. There should have been as one of baseball’s “good guys” did something that only 7 other Major leaguers had ever done, hit 600 home runs. Maybe it is because he now plays for the Minnesota Twins who are in the midst of one of their worst seasons in recent memory. Minneapolis is not exactly the center of the sports media universe like New Yorkwhere almost every at bat of Derek Jeter was covered in his quest to reach the 3000 hit mark. However to me it doesn’t matter. I have been a Jime Thome fan for a long time and while I may be in North Carolina I was watching live when ESPN switched from the Giants-Braves game to the Twins-Tigers game to cover Thome’s at bat in the 7th inning.
A Smile and a Handshake (Getty Images)
Thome came to the plate after hitting home run 599 a two run shot off of Rick Porcello during his previous at bat in the 6th inning. He was facing Tigers pitcher Daniel Schlereth and with a 2-1 count and two runners on base Thome hit Schlereth’s pitch over the Left Field fence for number 600. He rounded the bases at Comerica Park in Detroit to a standing ovation given by the Tiger fans as well as his teammates and his family who were also in attendance who also greeted him on the field. On the scoreboard the home team congratulated Thome’s achievement;Detroit does recognize great baseball achievement’s even when it comes at the bat of an opponent.
It was a special moment that all baseball fans should celebrate and that non baseball fans should also take note of because Thome accomplished this huge feat, a feat even great than Jeter reaching 3000 hits Out of the 17,000 plus players that have played in the Majors only 8 have hit 600 or more home runs while 28 players have over 3000 hits.
Thome Honored by Teammates and Opposing Fans
Thome has struggled with injury this year and has not had his best year. He is beginning to show his 40 years the oldest player to reach the 600 mark, the previous being the then 38 year old Sammy Sosa in 2007. Despite this he was the second fastest player to reach 600 home runs reaching it in at bat 8137 games as opposed to Babe Ruth who by far reached it faster than anyone else needing only 6921 at bats to reach 600 on his way to 714. In reaching the 600 mark Thome joins Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa in the 600 club.
Thome reached the mark without a lot of fanfare or for that matter controversy. He was never tainted by the steroid controversy and is one of the nicest people in baseball, not hesitating to talk to children that come up to him in public or people that knew him in his early days. His teammate Michael Cuddyer said “He is the nicest, gentlest, kindest guy you will ever meet … When he walks in a room, everyone watches everything he does. It’s the way he treats people, it’s the way he respects the game….”
His manager Ron Gardenhire said “He’s like Babe Ruth around here…The fans here get all mad at me for not playing him every day.”
Thome is known around the league for his work ethic and will to win. He worked hard at his craft initially beginning as an outfielder before being converted to Third Base. Unassuming he once said “I always had to work to be good, because I never was very good. I mean, I always had to work to get where I wanted to be. It was never easy. It still isn’t. It still isn’t.” He is called by some today’s Harmon Killebrew, a complement by any standard of measurement. I’m sure that Harmon is looking on now cheering and probably telling Saint Pete stories about just how big of an achievement that Thome’s feat is because Thome won’t do it when he meets Saint Pete.
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I have to admit not being aware of Jim Thome until I heard, on NBC World News last night, of his 600 home-run record. I think his relative anonymity speaks volumes about his character – he is not a limelight-seeking glory hog stuffing his face into whatever camera might be available. I’m also heartened by the show of respect from the hosting Tigers, especially in light of the horrible beating of the fan at a Dodgers’ game earlier this year. Let us hope the unique combination of this man’s humility and the unanimity of support by both teams will prove to be an indicator, not only of a return of baseball’s nobility as a sport, but also a return of civility to America that has been so long missing.
It was really nice to see Jim Thome finally get to 600 because he deserves it. Everything I hear about Jim Thome coming from his teammates and the media is positive. Everyone loves the guy and it is truly special for him to reach the incredibly rare 600 home run club. It will be a few years at least before we see it again but like the 300 win number, who knows how long it will be before we see another guy do it.