There was a glimmer of hope that Jim Thome might sneak back into Phillies pinstripes as the trade deadline approached, but he remained a Minnesota Twin. Even though he wasn't a Phillie when it happened, I think we can all join him in celebrating hitting career milestone home run #600, which came on the same night he hit his 599th and collected three total hits in helping the Twins top the Detroit Tigers, 9-6.
Thome wasn't on the field for the World Series celebration, but I'll always see him as a positive part of the transition that saw the Phillies change from a perennial loser to a constant contender. He helped open Citizens Bank Park, and hit his 400th career homer there in June of 2004, CBP's maiden season. It was a hell of a Harry call, too.
After the game, Thome acknowledged Charlie Manuel as a big reason for his success, saying Charlie believed in him and taught him how to practice and swing for home runs. "He's like a dad, like my dad. He's very, very special, no question." Video below.
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Congrats to Jim Thome, a true baseball great, on joining a very exclusive club of sluggers. Watch #600 here, and check out John Finger's recent essay on Thome here.
Photo: Rick Osentoski-US Presswire