Thursday,
August 25, 2011
Reports: Thome Traded to
Cleveland
There is no
surprise in the move, and yet, it still doesn’t feel right. Placed on waivers
yesterday, Jim Thome was claimed by the Cleveland
Indians, and today, he is going to be a member of that team. At this time, we
do not know who the Twins acquired in the trade.
Thome gave Twins fans nearly two seasons of terrific memories, and he did so with
nothing but class. As I’ve said before, there are great players, there are
heroes, but Jim Thome fits into the classification of
“Legend.”
He hit that incredible
home run last August to walk off against his old Chicago White Sox
teammates. He had the two home run game to pass Harmon Killebrew
on the home run list. And just over a week ago, he hit two home runs to join
the very elite 600 home run club.
I know to some
of his teammates, he was about so much more than just his prowess on the field.
He was a mentor. He is as legit a person as their is. Remember earlier
this year when Killebrew passed away, there was so
much talk about what a great person he was that it almost minimized how great
of a baseball player he was. It’s the same with Thome.
Amazing man! Amazing ball player! There is no question that this move will
sting the Twins clubhouse for awhile!
I know this year
has been frustrating to be a Twins fan. I do think that trading Thome and other pieces that won’t be back next year is the
right thing to do. But I for one am thrilled that, as a Twins fan, I got to see
someone of the magnitude of Jim Thome, even if just
for a short time! In a way, if this were to be the end of his illustrious
career, it is fitting that it be in Cleveland, the team for
which over 55% of his career home runs have been hit.
I don’t know if
I can muster the energy to cheer for Cleveland, but I will always be cheering
for Jim Thome!
Care to share
any thoughts? Comment
here.