Ten fun facts about Jim Thome
Fact 1
He was primarily a first baseman but also spent significant time as a third baseman and late in his career was most often used as a designated hitter.
Fact 2
He has played for the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, and Baltimore Orioles.
Fact 3
In 1996, Thome won the Silver Slugger Award and in 2006, he won the Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Fact 4
He has also received the Roberto Clemente Award (2002), Babe Ruth Home Run Award (2003), and Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (2004).
Fact 5
In 2011, he became the eighth MLB player to hit 600 home runs (HR).
Fact 6
Throughout his career, Thome's strength has been power hitting.
Fact 7
In six different seasons, he has hit more than 40 home runs; his career on-base plus slugging (OPS) of .956 is 19th all-time.
Fact 8
Later in his career, repeated back injuries kept him from playing the field regularly.
Fact 9
He primarily was a designated hitter.
Fact 10
Thome is known for his batting stance, in which he holds the bat out with his right hand and points it at right field before the pitcher is ready to throw, which he first saw in The Natural; and his constant positive attitude.
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