The Cleveland Indians brought Jim Thome onto the Major League scene in 1991 when he was just a 20-year-old kid from Illinois.  Twenty-one seasons later, he’s returned to Cleveland to finish, what I believe to be without a doubt, a Hall of Fame career. 

Thome has played for five MLB teams, and he spent time in both the AL and NL.  He’s a five-time All-Star, nine-time MVP candidate, first among active players in base-on-balls, third among active players with 2,464 games played and second among active players (eighth all-time) with 601 home runs and still counting. 

It’s not what Jim Thome has accomplished throughout his career that’s impressive; it’s how Jim Thome has accomplished all that he has that’s impressive. 

Thome played during the prime of the Steroid Era.  Monstrous homers hit by Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Jose Canseco and many other substance users overshadowed Thome's individual feats throughout his career. 

But, clearly, Thome didn’t care about the individual achievements. He wanted to win, and he did what he had to do in order for his team to have the best opportunity to do so. 

Thome has made nine postseason appearances in his 21-year career, and he’s reached the World Series twice.  He never won a World Series, but he came closer to a title than many of his peers who’ve played in the big leagues. 

Is Jim Thome a Hall of Famer?

Submit Vote vote to see results

Jim Thome’s numbers speak for themselves, and the fact that he’s accomplished all that he has without performance enhancing drugs, during a time that was dominated by such, should guarantee him a spot in Cooperstown among the rest of the best who’ve played the game. 

Thome returned to Cleveland earlier this week, and he has the opportunity to do what most players choose not to do or don’t have the opportunity to—finish his Hall of Fame career where it all started. 

I strongly believe Jim Thome will retire at the end of the season because, other than a World Series ring, he has nothing left to accomplish in his MLB career.  And the opportunity to win a World Series doesn’t come every day.  

Thome’s Hall of Fame career will come to an end this September, and he’ll end his career without an asterisk unlike many stars he played with, and against, during his 21 big league seasons.

Here's to you, Jim Thome.