MLB News: Witnessing Minnesota Twin Jim Thome's Historic 600th Home Run

There was a buzz in the air heading into Comerica Park on Monday night as the Detroit Tigers opened up a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins.

Earlier in the day, the two AL Central rivals made a trade which sent Twins outfielder Delmon Young to the Tigers for minor league pitcher Cole Nelson and a player to be named later. Detroit Tigers fans were thrilled to have the former No. 1 draft pick join the team as they look to win the AL Central.

Young wasted little time making his presence felt as he took former teammate Francisco Liriano deep in the first inning. The crowd gave Young a standing ovation in appreciation; little did they know it wouldn't be the last standing ovation of the evening.

With all the talk about the trade, it seemed to slip fans' minds that Twins slugger Jim Thome was sitting on 598 career home runs. Fans weren't expecting one homer out of Thome, let alone two.

After all, Thome only had nine homers this season coming into Monday night's game and he hadn't hit one since Aug. 4. 

It turned out that Monday night belonged to Jim Thome as he joined baseball immortality.

Thome became only the eighth player in baseball history to amass 600 home runs. He joined Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr., Willie Mays, George Herman Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds as the only players in MLB history with 600 bombs.

What an incredible feat. It was summed up well by Thome's teammate Michael Cuddyer, who told MLB.com, "It's hitting 20 home runs for 30 years, or 30 a year for 20 years,"

Thome is in his 21st season in the big leagues. That's a true test of time.

With a man on base in the top of the sixth, Thome hit home run No. 599 off Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello.

Sitting in the crowd, I thought to myself, "That was No. 599, but there is no way he'll make history tonight. Wouldn't that be sweet to witness though".

Thome was up again in the top of the seventh inning. This time, there were two men on base and he was facing Tigers reliever Daniel Schlereth. On a 2-1 count, Thome nailed one to the opposite field that landed in the bullpen.

I stood up before the ball landed and went absolutely bonkers, screaming, "THERE IT IS, THERE IT IS!" as the ball splashed down and Jim Thome was cemented in history.

OK, I know I'm a Detroit Tigers fan until the day I die, but more importantly, I'm a baseball fan. I had just witnessed history, something I will most likely never witness again.

The closest active player behind Thome with any real chance of hitting 600 homers is Albert Pujols, and he currently sits at 437. After Pujols, baseball may never see a man hit 600 home runs again.

Jim Thome did the unthinkable Monday night at Comerica Park in Detroit. Thome ended the night by going 3-for-4 with two runs, five RBI and two very historic home runs. 

The crowd stood in appreciation as his family and fellow Twins met him at home plate.

It was a truly remarkable thing to see.

Congratulations, Mr. Thome. See you in Cooperstown.