Tonight, it was made official that Jim Thome has been voted into the Hall of Fame. Thome, who spent 2006-2009 on the White Sox, is considered by many to be a phenomonal player and an even better person. And although his time with the White Sox was more towards the back end of his career, he still had his fair share of historic moments with the team.
Thome Joins The 2,000 Hit Club
The 2,000 hit club obviously doesn’t get as much praise as the 3,000 hit club, but it is still a historic feat. Today, only 286 players have ever gathered up at least 2,000 hits.
Thome’s Blackout Game Dinger
Any White Sox fan old enough to remember will say that the Blackout Game was one of the more memorable games in franchise history. After 162 games, the White Sox and Twins finished in a dead tie for first place in the A.L. Central. Therefore, a single play-in game was needed to see who would advance to the playoffs.
This game had everything. An electric crowd, an absolute gem thrown by John Danks, a potential game winning outfield assist from Ken Griffey Jr. to A.J. Pierzynski, and Thome’s blast. His solo shot proved to be all the offense the White Sox would need as they won the game 1-0 and took the A.L Central crown.
Thome Hits No. 500 In Walk off Fashion
Jim Thome’s most memorable moment while with the White Sox was easily when he put himself in the exclusive 500 home run club. The home run made him the 23rd player in MLB history to ever hit 500 long balls. The fact that it was in walk off fashion was icing on the cake. And White Sox fans who watched at home also got to hear what may be Hawk Harrelson’s greatest call.
White Sox fans everywhere are thrilled for Jim Thome’s accomplishment. It isn’t every day you get the phone call saying you’re going to the Hall Of Fame. And while his time playing on the South Side was just four years, the memories he gave fans will last a lifetime.
