Thome got an executive role with the White Sox after retiring. Thome's strength was power hitting throughout his career. He hit more than 40 home runs in six separate seasons, and he led the National League in home runs in 2003 with 47. He also finished second three times. In 2001, when Thome had 46 homers, he became only the third player in MLB history (and first since Ted Williams in 1956) to have at least 45 homers and a lower batting average than that mark (Williams had 49 homers and a.272 average). Thome also won two Golden Spikes Awards as the best college player in America.
After leaving the White Sox, he joined their management team as a special assistant to the president. In this role, he worked with the baseball operations department on game plans and other business matters related to the club.
Thome retired for the first time in 2006 after playing 19 games for the White Sox that year. He ended his career with 1,944 hits, which is the most of any hitter not named Rickey Henderson or Paul Bunyan. Thome's.276 average leads all active players who have spent time in the majors this decade.
In 2007, Thome returned for one final season with the White Sox. Although he was expected to be a free agent after the season, he decided to return for another go-around.
Thome hit.340 with 16 home runs and 50 RBIs in 1990 while playing in both the Rookie and Class A levels of the minor leagues. Thome divided the majority of the 1991 season between Double-A and Triple-A, where he hit.319 with 7 home runs and 73 RBIs. The Cleveland Indians (1991–2002) 1991–1997
He made his major league debut on September 5, 1991 at age 24 and played his last game on October 1, 1997 at age 29. In between, he spent eight seasons with the Indians, hitting.276 with 91 homers and 383 RBIs.
During this time, Thome became one of the most feared hitters in baseball. He was a three-time All-Star and finished in the top five of the MVP voting four times. His.944 career batting average is the highest of any player who has spent their entire career with one team.
Thome's tenure with the Indians was highlighted by two World Series appearances. In 1995, the Indians beat the Chicago Cubs 4 games to 3 to win their first World Series title in 28 years. In 1996, they fell to the Atlanta Braves in seven games.
In 1997, Thome led the league in hits (230), doubles (50), and total bases (389). He also ranked second in homers, with 41, and third in RBIs, with 116.
Jim Thome, along with Barry Bonds, Mel Ott, Babe Ruth, and Ted Williams, is one of just five players in major league history to have at least 500 home runs, 1,500 runs scored, 1,600 RBI, and 1,700 walks. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum/Brad Mangin)
Thome, a third-baseman from Owatonna, Minnesota, who turned 44 years old on January 17, 2010, is one of only nine players to have his number (#8) be retired by three different teams. (To date, Tony Lazzeri, Lou Gehrig, Mel Ott, Pete Rose, and Joe DiMaggio are the only other players who have had their numbers retired by multiple teams.) Although he never played for the Chicago White Sox or Minnesota Twins during his career, both teams have retired his number.
Thome made an immediate impact when he debuted with the White Sox in 2004, hitting 31 homers with 95 RBI in his first season. That year, he also won the AL Rookie of the Year Award after hitting.292 with 33 homers and 102 RBI. He was named to the All-Star Game that year as well, where he hit a solo homer off Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In 2005, Thome continued to show why he was considered one of baseball's best hitters when he finished second in MVP voting to Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals.
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