With a career batting average of .276 and 612 home runs, Jim Thome terrorized MLB pitchers during his 22-year career.

James Howard Thome, the youngest of five children, was born on August 17, 1970, in Peoria. Thome went to Limestone High School, attended Illinois Central College and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1989.

Though his professional career got off to a rocky beginning, Thome eventually retooled his swing and made his major league debut in September of 1991. Following the ‘91 season, Thome suffered from injuries but continued to rise through the Indians’ organization to earn a starting spot on the roster in 1994. The Cleveland Indians advanced to the World Series in both the 1995 and 1997 seasons, but lost the series both times. During that time, Thome routinely led the team in home runs, batting average and walks. In the seasons following their 1997 run to the championship, the Indians weren’t as successful, but Thome was able to hit 20 or more home runs in seven consecutive seasons despite suffering a broken hand.

After leaving the Indians organization, Thome went on to play for the Philadelphia Phillies, the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Minnesota Twins, the Cleveland Indians and the Baltimore Orioles. Thome’s 612 home runs landed him a seventh place spot on the all-time home run list. His 337 home runs for the Cleveland Indians are the most in franchise history. He will be eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

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