SSH2005 Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 (edited) http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/sportsstory.asp?id=161173 Thome comes out swinging By Scot Gregor Daily Herald Sports Writer Posted Tuesday, February 28, 2006 TUCSON, Ariz. — Two at-bats, two bullets. Jim Thome’s career with the White Sox officially began with a bang Monday, as the 35-year-old designated hitter crushed two Mark Buehrle pitches during an unexpected appearance in an intrasquad game. Thome’s first shot was gloved by minor-league first baseman Casey Rogowski. The second was a hard single to right field. “He hit two balls right on the nose,’’ Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. “If Thome stays the way we think he can stay, he’s going to help this ballclub.’’ Considering the White Sox are defending World Series champions, Thome is hardly being viewed as a savior. But after coming over from the Philadelphia Phillies in a Nov. 25 trade for center fielder Aaron Rowand, the veteran slugger is expected to do some major damage out of the No. 3 spot in the Sox’ lineup. “It’s very similar to when I left Cleveland (after the 2002 season) and went to Philly,’’ Thome said of his hyped arrival. “And (Paul Konerko) and I have already talked about this a lot … when you’re in the middle of a lineup, third, fourth, fifth, you’re expected to produce runs. “I’ve never, ever gone into a season saying I want to hit this number of home runs or drive in this number of runs. For me, it’s just a matter of staying healthy and then letting all of that other stuff take care of itself. But win first. If you win, all of things underneath it will come hand in hand.’’ Staying healthy was never much of a problem for Thome until last season. A lower back strain sidelined him for three weeks in May, and Thome missed the final three months with a sore right elbow that was surgically repaired Aug. 16. Despite whispers about his eroding health, Thome averaged 48 home runs and 120 RBI from 2000-04 when he was one of the most feared left-handed hitters in the game. Thome reported to White Sox training camp a week before the pitchers and catchers, and he looks ready to resume his place among baseball’s premier power hitters. “Coming in early, it’s paying dividends with my rehab, and I’m excited,’’ Thome said. “I have not had any setbacks. Everything’s been great. I think my body is getting back to the baseball way that it never did for the second half of last season. Knock on wood, I’ve been very pleased with the way everything’s coming along.’’ Thome is slated to bat ahead of Konerko and No. 5 hitter Jermaine Dye. “He looks healthy, and that was the only question mark,’’ Konerko said. “And I don’t think it was a question mark with our people because they did their homework on it. If he’s healthy and out there playing, he’s going to hit his home runs. Any year he’s been healthy, he’s never really had a bad year. He’s always had big years, and our ballpark should fit him well. “And he’s just a great guy. I think a year from now we’ll look back and say that he was one of the best pickups in a long time because he’s just such a solid guy. It’s not a question of his skills are getting worse or he didn’t play well. The question there is he was hurt. Now he’s healthy and he’ll pick up where he left off. He’s too good not to do well.’’ Dye agreed. “He’s a veteran hitter, a proven hitter,’’ Dye said. “He’s approaching 500 home runs. He’s good in the clubhouse, and when he’s healthy he goes out and puts up numbers. In our ballpark, with him being left-handed, it’s going to be a bonus for him.’’ Thome still is trying to blend in with the White Sox, but he already has drawn a comparison to his 1995 Cleveland Indians team, which went 100-44 in a strike-shortened season before losing to the Atlanta Braves 4-2 in the World Series. “I have not seen our club on a consistent basis, but as I look around the room it reminds me a lot of our ’95 team in Cleveland,’’ Thome said. “Very good offensive team, can beat you in a lot of different ways. “But I think the one thing this club has, on paper, is top-to-bottom better pitching. It’s exciting. For me to come back home (Thome is from Peoria), to come to a world champion, you look at the rotation and our lineup, it’s going to be a lot of fun.’’ Edited February 28, 2006 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted February 28, 2006 Author Share Posted February 28, 2006 I really, really, REALLY hope everything goes well for Jim this year. If healthy he is going to be huge for this club. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Not too many lefties can hit monster pull-shots and also go opposite field like Thome. If he stays healthy, he's going to have a monster year. U.S. Cellular Field Dimensions LF – 330 feet LCF – 377 feet CF – 400 feet RCF – 372 feet RF – 335 feet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rventura23 Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Feb 28, 2006 -> 10:51 AM) Not too many lefties can hit monster pull-shots and also go opposite field like Thome. If he stays healthy, he's going to have a monster year. agreed, take out his injuries last year and when Thomes healthy his numbers are incredible. If he stays healthy and can take advantage of the cell, hes going to look good in that sox uniform Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalSouthSider59 Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Yay........ IN 2006!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Thome career stats at US Cellular: .286, 210 AB's, .382 OBP, .982 OPS, 50 HRs. /drool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daa84 Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 (edited) QUOTE(Brian @ Feb 28, 2006 -> 02:08 PM) Thome career stats at US Cellular: .286, 210 AB's, .382 OBP, .982 OPS, 50 HRs. /drool that has to be a misprint.......50 HR in 210 ABs ?!?!?!? that would mean if he hit .286 that only 10 of his 60 hits were non homers Edited February 28, 2006 by daa84 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Thome Career Splits Unless my eyes got crossed, those are what is printed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LosMediasBlancas Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 QUOTE(daa84 @ Feb 28, 2006 -> 03:11 PM) that has to be a misprint.......50 HR in 210 ABs ?!?!?!? that would mean if he hit .286 that only 10 of his 60 hits were non homers Way to go Buzzkill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted February 28, 2006 Author Share Posted February 28, 2006 (edited) Jim Thome (career stats at The Cell): 210 AB | .286 AVG | .382 OBP | .600 SLG | .982 OPS | 18 HR | 50 RBI Jim Thome (career stats vs. Sox): 420 AB | .295 AVG | .406 OBP | .650 SLG | 1.056 OPS | 41 HR | 107 RBI Edited February 28, 2006 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iWiN4PreP Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 good for thome, we could use a healthy power hitting lefty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DABearSoX Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 QUOTE(rventura23 @ Feb 28, 2006 -> 05:41 PM) agreed, take out his injuries last year and when Thomes healthy his numbers are incredible. If he stays healthy and can take advantage of the cell, hes going to look good in that sox uniform What DH are you talking about...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiegle Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Thome Stats throughout the central US Cell 210AB .286/.382 18HR 50RBI Metrodome 251AB .351/.424 23HR 83RBI Jacobs 2061AB .306/.440 176HR 500RBI Kauffman 192AB .276/.453 9HR 22RBI Has had some trouble at Comerica only hitting like .230 with 7HR in about 80AB I like to see these numbers b/c our success in the central was one of the keys to winning our division last year. Although some are "more great" than others, all but Comerica are above average for him (except the power numbers in KC). Even though a lot of people seem to be writing off the twins, I definately am not, and I am very glad to see the numbers he puts up in the dome (b/c we historically have struggled there), and he seems to already like playing at the cell... cant wait to see him there day in and day out!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayitaintso Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 Thome still is trying to blend in with the White Sox, but he already has drawn a comparison to his 1995 Cleveland Indians team, which went 100-44 in a strike-shortened season before losing to the Atlanta Braves 4-2 in the World Series. 100-44, that's amazing. they must have been mowing down their opponents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 1, 2006 Author Share Posted March 1, 2006 100-44, that's amazing. they must have been mowing down their opponents. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1995.shtml Their lineup was absolutely filthy -- Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Albert Belle, Eddy Murray, Kenny Lofton, Omar Vizquel, Carlos Baerga. They even had Herbert Perry, Sandy Alomar, and a washed-up Dave Winfield on the bench. Brian Giles, Jeromy Burnitz, and David Bell also had a cup of coffee on that team but they were just starting their careers. One thing the Indians could always do is develop great hitters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 QUOTE(sayitaintso @ Feb 28, 2006 -> 06:26 PM) 100-44, that's amazing. they must have been mowing down their opponents. That Cleveland team was LOADED offensively. Kenny Lofton Omar Vizquel Carlos Baegra Albert Belle Manny Ramirez Jim Thome Paul Sorrento Eddie Murray Sandy Alomar Jr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayitaintso Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Feb 28, 2006 -> 06:40 PM) That Cleveland team was LOADED offensively. Kenny Lofton Omar Vizquel Carlos Baegra Albert Belle Manny Ramirez Jim Thome Paul Sorrento Eddie Murray Sandy Alomar Jr. How about their pitching, was it that good. I was 5 at the time so i don't remember them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 QUOTE(sayitaintso @ Feb 28, 2006 -> 06:42 PM) How about their pitching, was it that good. I was 5 at the time so i don't remember them. It was pretty good. They were led by Charles Nagy, Dennis Martinez and Orel Hershiser. Their bullepen was filthy led by Jose Mesa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 1, 2006 Author Share Posted March 1, 2006 How about their pitching, was it that good. I was 5 at the time so i don't remember them. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1995.shtml They had a rotation with Charles Nagy, Dennis Martinez, and Orel Hershiser in it. Their bullpen was insanely good with Paul Assenmacher, Julian Tavarez, and Jose Mesa in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DABearSoX Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Mar 1, 2006 -> 12:40 AM) That Cleveland team was LOADED offensively. Kenny Lofton Omar Vizquel Carlos Baegra Albert Belle Manny Ramirez Jim Thome Paul Sorrento Eddie Murray Sandy Alomar Jr. I thought it was 1. Hayes-cf 2. Taylor-c 3. Dorn- 3b 4. Cerrano- rf 5. Metcalfe 1b 6. Larson 2b 7. Molina ss 8. Tomlinson- lf 9. Unknown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxrock200 Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 I really, really, REALLY hope everything goes well for Jim this year. If healthy he is going to be huge for this club. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I hope the Sox don't end up totally losing Rowand for an injury player Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.