2007 Topps #481 - Jim ThomeIt may be impossible to find a Major League player that no one dislikes, but if there is one, my vote would go with Jim Thome.
Even when Jim was pounding balls against the White Sox with the Indians, I found it hard not to like the guy. Thome is one of those rare players that cannot seem to do wrong. Even the other team's fans root for Jim to do good. That's almost unheard of in any sport.
Before Jim took a detour in Chicago for three and a half years, I never found a White Sox fan who had a bad word to say about him. No one ever suspected him of doing anything but play baseball.
When Will Stewart caught Thome's 500th home run (on Jim Thome bobblehead day no less), he could have turned out to be a greedy fan who only wanted money for his luck. Will just wanted to shake Thome's hand and present the ball to him.
Being the nice guy that Jim is, he had already devised a prize package for the occasion. The fan, being from Austin, Texas, had no use for the gem of the prize package, which was White Sox season tickets. I imagine that would be quite a commute! Instead, Will Stewart donated the tickets to a charity of Thome's choice. Generous feelings all around, the White Sox agreed to fly Will and a few friends to Chicago to attend a Cubs vs. White Sox game in Jim Thome's box.
Stories like this seem to follow Jim Thome from destination to destination. I can only root for the guy, which is why I'm picking the Dodgers to win it all. In reality, the only accomplishment left to achieve for Thome is a World Series ring. I, for one, hope he gets it. The 2009 Dodgers look to be his shot.
7 comments:
nice story. Good to hear there are a few human fans left.
I'd have been happy just meeting him, maybe posing for a picture or something...
I'm happy that people are rooting for the Dodgers because of Thome. It cancels out those who are rooting against the Dodgers because of Manny. Although, Thome and Manny seem to get along quite well, from the times I've seen them in the dugout together.
I've always been a Thome fan, since his Indian days. It was great when he played for the Phillies. I'd love for him to get a World Series ring as well but to got one this year he'll have to go through the Phillies. I don't like him that much. But if the Phillies fall to the Rockies, I'll be rooting for the Dodgers.
Big Thome is an underrated player.
cheers for the silent type.
Whew, you had me worried when you said 'Noone suspected him of doing anything wrong'....
It sounded like he just got busted for something bad.
The Dodgers are a better team for having him. One of the best.
Agree 1000% which is why I am rooting for the Dodgers.
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