Thome, << TOH may, >> Jim (1970-…), ranks among the leading home-run hitters in major league baseball history. On Aug. 15, 2011, Thome hit his 600th career home run, becoming only the eighth batter in history to hit at least 600 home runs. In addition to his success as a power hitter, Thome became one of the most popular players in baseball, admired for his warm personality and his sportsmanship.
James Howard Thome was born on Aug. 27, 1970, in Peoria, Illinois. Thome made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians (now called the Cleveland Guardians) in 1991 and played third base through 1996. He spent the rest of his career as a first baseman and as a designated hitter. A designated hitter bats during a game but does not play in the field.
Thome played for Cleveland until 2002, when he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. He led the National League in home runs with 47 in 2003. Philadelphia traded Thome after the 2005 season to the Chicago White Sox. Chicago traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2009. Thome signed with the Minnesota Twins in 2010. Minnesota traded Thome back to Cleveland late in the 2011 season. Thome rejoined Philadelphia before the 2012 season. Philadelphia traded him to the Baltimore Orioles during the 2012 season. Thome retired as a player after the 2012 season and became special assistant to the general manager of the White Sox in 2013. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.
