Jim Thome 600 Home Runs: Ranking All 8 Sluggers to Reach No. 600

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DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 15: DH, Jim Thome #25 of the Minnesota Twins high-fives teammates in the dug-out after hitting his first of two home runs against the Detroit Tigers during a MLB game at Comerica Park on August 15, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. The Twi

Dave Reginek/Getty Images

Monday night was a very special night for the Thome family. His father along with his wife and kids were all in Detroit to witness not only number 599, but also 600.

Thome joins an elite group of only eight other players to reach this magic number. Unfortunately, Thome's run towards 600 didn't get much media attention, until now.

The following is one man's opinion on who are the greatest of the eight 600 club members. The order goes from eighth place to first place.

Let's have a spirited debate and congratulate Jim Thome on being the newest member of the 600 home run club.

Sammy Sosa (609)

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 6: Sammy Sosa #21 of the Texas Rangers stands at bat against the Oakland Athletics at Rangers Ballpark August 6, 2007 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

I put Sosa at No. 8 because of his history. True, he is the only player in history to hit 60 home runs three years (1998, 1999 and 2001).

He averaged 58 home runs from 1998-2002 and drove in an average of 119 runs. What makes him No. 8 is his alleged steroid use.

You will see that the other “users” are are going to be toward the bottom of this list, and I truly think without the alleged use he wouldn’t have come close to the magic 600.

Ken Griffey Jr. (630)

SEATTLE - MAY 31: Ken Griffey Jr. #24 of the Seattle Mariners bats against the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field on May 31, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

As much as it pains me to put Junior here, I had to because of his injury-plagued career. When he was on (days in Seattle), it could be argued there wasn’t anybody better.

His days with the Reds were a different story. I truly believe that if he would have either stayed in Seattle or was healthy throughout his days with Cincinnati, he would be at the top of the home run list.

Alex Rodriguez (626 and Counting)

DUNEDIN, FL - AUGUST 12: Designated hitter Alex Rodriguez #13 of the Tampa Yankees bats against the Dunedin Blue Jays August 12, 2011 at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, Florida. Rodriguez played during a rehabilitation assignment. (Photo by Al

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

A-Rod’s three MVP’s and his two second-place finishes are impressive and his numbers across the board are amazing. The issue with A-Rod is the same as it was with Sosa, and that is his alleged steroid use.

I will give credit though and say A-Rod’s numbers throughout his career are very consistent top to bottom, and I think (along with Bonds) would have been a Hall of Fame player anyway without the alleged use of PED’s.

Jim Thome (600)

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 15: DH, Jim Thome #25 of the Minnesota Twins touches all the bases after hitting his first home run against the Detroit Tigers during a MLB game at Comerica Park on August 15, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. The Twins won 9-6 (Photo by D

Dave Reginek/Getty Images

I will be honest and say that I didn’t appreciate what Thome did with Cleveland and in his days with the Phillies. As a Twins fan, I despised him in Chicago because he always got the big hit to beat the Twins. And he is now the eighth member of this exclusive club.

To put Thome’s career in perspective, according to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, he is only behind Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds with regards to on-base percentage amongst the members of the club.

Congratulations again, Jim Thome.

Barry Bonds (762)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 29: Former Major League Baseball player Barry Bonds arrives at federal court for his perjury trial on March 29, 2011 in San Francisco, California. Barry Bonds' perjury trial accusing him of lying to a grand jury about his use of

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

I am putting Bonds down the list simply because of his alleged use of PED’s. I truly think he would be in the hall without the PED’s as shown by his major league record seven MVP’s.

Bonds could hit for power, run and was a solid defensive players. He could have, and still may, go down as the best player to ever play the game, but until he is proven innocent, I will put the next three Hall-of-Famers ahead of him.

Hank Aaron (755)

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 15: Hall of Famer Hank Aaron is honored prior to the MLB Civil Rights between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field on May 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

In some people’s eyes, Aaron is still the career home run record holder. His career was a model of consistency averaging 98.4 runs batted in to go along with 32.8 home runs in his 23-season career.

He won only one MVP throughout his career and never hit more than 47 home runs in a season. It was tough to put him here, but the next two members were pretty good in their own right.

Willie Mays (660)

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 25: Hall of Fame baseball player Willie Mays attends an event where U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed the World Series champions in the East Room of the White House July 25, 2011 in Washington, DC. The Giants defeated the Texas R

Win McNamee/Getty Images

The ‘Say Hey Kid’ hit 660 home runs throughout his career, and it has been argued he would have hit many more if he wouldn’t have played in the spacious Polo Grounds in his days with the New York Giants.

Mays won two MVP awards and hit a career-high 52 home runs in 1965. Ironically, Mays is Barry Bonds’ godfather but is held in a higher regard than his godson.

Babe Ruth (714)

NEW YORK - MAY 02: The plaque of Babe Ruth is seen in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium prior to game between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox on May 2, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the White Sox 12-3. (Ph

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

“The Babe” is No. 1 when it comes to this elite club. Ruth held the title of career home run leader until Hank Aaron topped it in 1974.

Ruth put up staggering numbers all throughout the 1920’s, capping it off in 1927 with a 60 home run season.

He is second on the all time RBI list with 2,213 (trailing only Hank Aaron). When people talk home runs even today, Babe Ruth is usually the first thing that comes out of their mouths.

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