With 18 home runs for the season going into Saturday’s game against the Texas Rangers, there was no doubt that Jim Thome would advance up the all-time home run list.
Just as he did to surpass former Minnesota Twin Harmon Killebrew, Thome blasted two home runs at Target Field, to tie and then move past Mark McGwire for ninth place on the all-time home run list.
Thome led off the bottom on the third inning with a solo shot off Rangers‘ pitcher Colby Lewis. He pulled an 0-1 fastball into the upper-deck seats in right field tying him with McGwire with 583 round-trippers.
In his next at bat in the bottom of the fourth, Thome worked the count to 3-2, and drove a curve ball off Lewis into the bullpen for a three-run home run, giving him eighth place on the all-time list to himself.
With 584 homers, Thome has his sites set on Frank Robinson, who is next on the list with 586 home runs.
Due to a stiff back, Thome had been limited to a single pinch-hit appearance in the current home stand before returning to the lineup as the DH, going hitless in four appearances on Friday.
Thome has been a great addition to the Minnesota Twins this season. In his twentieth season, he has provided a veteran presence in the clubhouse. With Justin Morneau out since the All-Star break, Thome has been the primary home-run supplier for the first place Twins.
Thome’s 20 home runs this season leads the Twins. He has been averaging a home run every 11.8 at bats.
Used by manager Ron Gardenhire on a semi-regular basis as the Twins’ DH, the Twins need to extend Thome’s contract for next season. With how effective the 40 year-old Thome has been, there is no doubt he can be a factor for at least another year.
Gentleman Jim has been a class act, not only this season for the Minnesota Twins, but for his entire career.
Even though there are those who hold the fact he will finish his career as a designated hitter against him, Thome should be a first ballot inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Congratulations Jim Thome!
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