Here’s an article about the Twins that I think you will appreciate
One on One With Jim Thome
Jim Thome was recently at Cub Foods on 26th Avenue just south of Minneapolis for a public meet-and-greet, and was promoting his involvement with Pepsi Max’ “Field of Dreams” program. For more information about this program and for a chance to play against some of MLB’s legends in your hometown, visit mlb.com/pepsimax.
I had a chance to talk with Jim Thome about No. 600 and his storied career. He’s one of the nicest guys you could ever meet and a real class act. The transcript of our quick chat is below.
On #600, and being in elite company: “It’s pretty neat. I think any time you play the game of baseball you obviously want to succeed and want to keep doing well. For me, it’s been a dream. I don’t think you could ever imagine one day hitting 600 home runs, I mean who could? It’s been a great career. It’s really been quite surreal, to be honest with you. It’s been a long journey to get to this point.”
On transforming into a HR hitter: “I think a couple different things. At the plate, opening my stance up, which Charlie Manuel was a big key for that. And I think a lot of positive thinking. You’ve got to believe in yourself, believe that you’re going to have some ups and downs and along that way, if you’re blessed to play a long time, [the stats will follow].”
On Charlie Manuel: “Charlie, for me, has been there since really day one. When I was a young kid I had him all through the Cleveland system. And then he went to Philadelphia so I had him there for a little bit. And obviously now he’s the manager and we’ve parted ways, but he’s been a big, big influence on my career, no question.
On hitting No. 600 in Detroit, and getting standing ovation: “Very cool, especially from the opposing crowd. Think about it, for years and years you go in there as an opponent, and they don’t want to see you do well. To do that was very classy. I was very taken aback by that, very cool.”
On importance of World Series ring: “It would mean everything. That’s why you play. You play to win a World Series, you play to ultimately celebrate at the end of the year with your teammates. I think for me personally, that would be the ultimate dream: To celebrate and win a World Series. The individual things are nice, but I think ultimately we all play the game to win a World Series.”
On Hall of Fame discussions: “Very cool, very humbling. Again, when you start playing baseball you don’t ever think about the Hall of Fame or this and that. You dream about it, but when people talk about it’s a very, very neat thing. I think you let that process take its part, let it do its thing. It’s something you respect. If that day were to ever come, it would be a joy. It would even be more surreal than what we’re talking about. It’d be very cool.”
On his career wrapping up, and his legacy: “My kids are at the age now where they’re growing up, they need their dad at home. That’s a big legacy to the name. Also giving back to the game. I think the legacy of the game and your name are also important because there are young players out there who can learn from older players who have played the game. If I can do that in any way it would be an honor.”
The original article can be found here: Twins Target – A Minnesota Twins blog
