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Greetings from... Jim Thome

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January 19, 2006

 

Dear White Sox Fans,

 

Growing up in Illinois, it's a dream and a privilege

to come back home and be a part of a great organization

like the White Sox. To be a part of this now, after winning

the World Series, is really an honor. To come to a team that

is so close to home, and to play in front of my family

and friends, is really exciting. Baseball is a great game

because it brings people together, and my wife Andrea,

our daughter Lila and I are really pleased to be here.

 

This winter has been really crazy for us. Everything

seemed to go so quickly, and the holidays flew by. But

we're excited about moving here, and we're hoping to be

able to call Chicago our permanent home.

 

My offseason training has been great, though it's been

a different kind of winter than I've had in the past.

Because I was injured and didn't play during the second

half of last year, my training has been really intense

and regimented since August, as opposed to other years

when I'd take a break after the season. I've worked out

here at the ballpark a few times, and I've enjoyed meeting

head trainer Herm Schneider and getting to know the front

office a little bit. It's been a pleasure to realize that

everyone is invested in making sure I'm healthy and ready

to go for spring training.

 

For my entire career I've been asked about my favorite

road city, and I've always said that players should take

any chance they have to play in Chicago, even as an opponent.

To have the opportunity to play here for the next three

years is a dream. Chicago is a passionate, hard-core,

championship-hungry city, and I imagine that now the fans

are more focused than ever. You add the success of the Bears

this year and it's pretty awesome to be here. I think the Bears

have the right tools in place to be a great team for many years

to come!

 

I've been blessed to have good people, starting with my wife,

who help me understand what opportunities exist to be involved

in the community. We signed up to be in Chicago for the long

term, and we truly want to form a relationship with the people

of Chicago. As an athlete and a role model, I want Chicagoans to

know that we're trying to do just that - to help different causes,

to make a difference at the end of the day, and above all to have

fun and enjoy our time here.

 

I've always known that to be successful, you have to know how

to be part of a team first. It's not about me, it's about we -

and that's as true in life as it is in sports. I understand the

impact that athletes can have on people, and I've worked very

hard to make sure I leave something meaningful behind. I grew

up in Peoria, so I've always been involved in the community

there. I'm excited to have the chance to do the same thing

here in Chicago.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm looking forward to seeing

you at SoxFest, and of course to beating the Indians on

Opening Day.

 

Jim Thome

I think he's going to quickly become a fan favorite. I hope him and Konerko can take over this town, as we shift it from loser blue to winner silver and black.

 

Welcome Jim!

thanks jim, you're writing is very similar to paul konerkos i noticed...

Awesome letter. I especially enjoy the last line. I think he is going to be a perfect fit for this city and will quickly be loved here. Thanks Jim!!! Here's to a great 2006!!!

Awesome letter.Big Jim Thome!!

Really nice article, hope everything goes well for him in the offseason and he trains well so he doesnt get injured.

thanks jim, you're writing is very similar to paul konerkos i noticed...

 

 

 

LOL..

thanks jim, you're writing is very similar to paul konerkos i noticed...

 

Naturally...he followed the well-known, "power hitting first basemen style of fan letter writing format." It's a common practice.

Naturally...he followed the well-known, "power hitting first basemen style of fan letter writing format."  It's a common practice.

As long as he hits 40+ home runs and drives in 100+ runs next year, he could have had a bunch of trained monkeys write it for all I care.

 

"It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times"

we all know that jim's considered a class act, but i really get the sense that we've picked up one of if not the best guy in baseball. i think there definitely will be a huge fan following for jim and hell, if he can produce the way we hope he will, we'll have our own version of the bash brothers to boot

A class act that Jim Thome is. Still, that does not excuse ending a sentence in a preposition. B)

Its funny how he always mentioned that he loved playing in Chicago as a visitor and loves Chicago baseball. He kind of left the fact out that he was a Cub fan growing up. Haha its cool, at least he admitted that earlier. Welcome big Jim! Welcome to the South Side! The champion brand of Chicago baseball

I'm looking forward to seeing

you at SoxFest, and of course to beating the Indians on

Opening Day.

 

rock on, Thome.

The only thing I'm kinda surprised about is that he didnt throw Paulie a bone in the letter, as far as looking forward to playing with him or returing the praise that #14 dished out in his letter, mentioning that Thome had a great deal of weight in deciding to come back. At any rate, I'm glad that he is not taking the sit back approach and waiting to naturally become a part of the team and our chemistry. He is taking his own iniative to be a true White Sox team player right from the get go instead of trying to alienate himself for not being a part of the special year which triggered his arrival.

The only thing I'm kinda surprised about is that he didnt throw Paulie a bone in the letter, as far as looking forward to playing with him or returing the praise that #14 dished out in his letter, mentioning that Thome had a great deal of weight in deciding to come back.  At any rate, I'm glad that he is not taking the sit back approach and waiting to naturally become a part of the team and our chemistry.  He is taking his own iniative to be a true White Sox team player right from the get go instead of trying to alienate himself for not being a part of the special year which triggered his arrival.

In regards to mentioning Paulie, he probably didn't want to offend anyone by only mentioning one or two players.

 

Welcome Aboard Jim!

I Jim Thome

very nice letter,

good to have him aboard

hes got his head on straight

As long as he hits 40+ home runs and drives in 100+ runs next year, he could have had a bunch of trained monkeys write it for all I care.

 

"It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times"

Welcome Jim!

He is going to be a great clubhouse guy. Great pickup.

Can't wait to see you at the plate for the first time as a White Sox player, Jim! Welcome to the Chicago White Sox!

 

 

:

Its funny how he always mentioned that he loved playing in Chicago as a visitor and loves Chicago baseball. He kind of left the fact out that he was a Cub fan growing up. Haha its cool, at least he admitted that earlier. Welcome big Jim! Welcome to the South Side! The champion brand of Chicago baseball

 

LOL. I didn't know he was a Cub fan, but after reading the way he phrased this letter, I knew it immediately based on what he DID NOT say...

As long as he hits 40+ home runs and drives in 100+ runs next year, he could have had a bunch of trained monkeys write it for all I care.

 

"It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times"

Man, I wish I had trained monkeys to write my letters. I heard they can write like Shakespeare!

Since the day Jim was acquired, he's acted like a true professional, and most of all a teammate and leader. He'll be a great presence in the clubhouse for young guys like McCarthy and Anderson to look up to.