Monster Hitter Jim Thome Makes History: Takes 10th Place on Home Run List

Minnesota Twins designated hitter Jim Thome had a fantastic day at the plate July 3^rd: not only did Thome score two solo home runs, but the latter was the 574^th of his career, catapulting Thome past Harmon Killebrew to take 10^th place on the all-time Home Runs list. Thome now sits at the number 10 spot, nipping at the heels of Mark McGwire, who hit 583 home runs. At only nine runs shy, I don't see why Thome shouldn't be able to take McGwire's spot, too.

And that's only partly why Jim Thome is my favorite player in Major League Baseball.

From the first moment that I saw Jim Thome point a bat at a pitcher, he became my favorite baseball player. And that's saying something; at the time, Thome was playing for the Chicago White Sox, one of my arch enemies, and he was pointing his bat menacingly at a Minnesota Twins pitcher.

Didn't matter to me - at that moment, Jim Thome became my favorite player, even if he was with the White Sox. No one was as imposing, intimidating, or as downright scary as Thome. He makes those ultra-famous players like Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter look like little boys.

And the great thing about him is that he only looks the part - Thome is one of the most well-liked and well-loved players in baseball. Not only that, but he has never been associated with the massive steroids-and-sluggers scandal, unlike many of his contemporaries and other top ten home run hitters such as Barry Bonds (#1), Sammy Sosa (#6), and recently, Mark McGwire (#9).

According to Wikipedia, Thome was drafted in 1989 by the Cleveland Indians and began playing for them in 1991. Thome really came into his own as the first baseman for the Indians in 1995, when his batting average jumped above .300 and he hit for 25 home runs and 73 RBIs. Thome's home run count grew each year until he hit a season-high 52 home runs in 2002, still as the Indian's first baseman.

Speaking of which, does that sound like the track that another first baseman out there might be on, ending in the top ten home run list? Justin Morneau, anyone?

Anyway, according to Baseball-Reference.com, Thome's impressive 20 season career averages are as follows: a .277 batting average, .404 on base percentage, and .557 slugging. His value as an offensive force is what continues to make him both a viable and coveted player 20 years into his career.

After three years with the Chicago White Sox (2006-2009), and a short stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of the 2009 season, the Minnesota Twins made me the happiest baseball fan around when they acquired Jim Thome as a designated hitter for the 2010 season. I thought the Twins were awfully lucky to have such an accomplished and well-loved player as Jim Thome on the team this year.

And now, they have a top ten home run hitter.

Congratulations, Jim Thome, and may you take the number nine spot from McGwire before the year is out.