Jim Thome Reaches 600 with Pair of Home Runs
By Editorial Staff
Last night Jim Thome became the 8th player to reach the 600 home run plateau with his two bomb game against the Tigers.
Thome waited until the 6th inning to begin doing his work, but didn’t sit on 599 long, as he drove number 600 out of Comerica Park the very next inning.
With the score tied 3 all entering the 6th, Thome stepped to the plate following a Jason Kubel single. He launched the first pitch he saw from Tigers’ starter Rick Porcello deep to left center field.
In the 7th, Thome managed to get his second at bat in 2 innings thanks to a Minnesota offensive barrage. The score was now 6-5, and there were men on first and third with two outs. It took a few more pitches than the first, but Thome padded the Twins lead with his 600th career home run.
"“It’s an unbelievable night, obviously,” Thome said. “I think it’s something you never dream of doing. You dream about it, but when it finally happens, it’s kind of surreal. It’s a neat thing, it really is. Hitting home runs can be very difficult. You sit in bed at night and you think how’s it going to be. How are you going to do this? It goes back, it goes back to trying to slow yourself down and not being too antsy, too hyped up, and it’s just a great night. To share it with my teammates there at home plate, my family, obviously, I love you. It’s a very, very special night.”"
Thome joins the ranks of Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa as the 8th player in MLB history to hit 600 homers. He becomes the oldest player to join the list.
Now that he’s reached the 600 mark, much conversation will shift to debate over whether or not Thome belongs in the Hall of Fame. While 500 home runs doesn’t cement your spot in Cooperstown anymore, 600 will have many considering the 40 year old.
For more on the Twins, be sure to check out Puckett’s Pond.