MLB
Jim Thome Was 1 of the Most Clutch Hitters Ever With the Records to Prove it
With the most walk-off HR in MLB history among other career records and accolades, Jim Thome was 1 of the most clutch hitters ever
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Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 13th round of the 1989 MLB draft, Jim Thome would make his Major League debut in 1991. Five years later, Thome’s career started to show promise as he won the 1996 Silver Slugger and made it to three consecutive All-Star games from 1997-1999. In 2003, Thome led the league in home runs with 47 after recording 52 homers the year before. Thome bounced around following his time in Cleveland, signing a six-year contract with the Phillies, but later requested a trade to Chicago to be closer to family.
Thome is most remembered for his time in Ohio where the 5x All-Star remains the franchise’s all-time HR leader. The Hall of Fame power hitter cemented a legacy in Cleveland as part of one of their greatest cores alongside fellow All-Stars Manny Ramirez, Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton, Sandy Alomar, Roberto Alomar, Omar Vizquel, and David Justice among others. Thome delivered when it mattered most time and time again, finishing his career as the all-time regular season walk-off HR king in MLB history.
Jim Thome's HOF resume:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) August 28, 2021
- 5x All-Star
- 1996 Silver Slugger
- 2006 AL CPOY
- 2003 MLB HR Leader
- 3x AL BB Leader
- 2002 NL SLG & OPS Leader
- Most career Walk-Off HR in MLB history (13)
- #25 retired by #Indians
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JIM THOME WAS 1 OF THE MOST CLUTCH MLB HITTERS EVER
Jim Thome made an impact on every team that he went to over his 22-year career in the MLB. While he never had a top-3 MVP finish, he did have four top-10 finishes and has also led the league in HR (2003), in BB (3x), and in SLG (2002). Thome also hit 40+ HR in six seasons and ended his career with 612 HR, good enough for eighth all-time. 13 of those HRs came with the game on the line and his 1 swing of the bat getting the job done to lead his team to victory, finishing with the most walk-off bombs of all-time.
In his prime, Jim Thome was one of the most dangerous HR hitters in all of baseball, and he kept mashing through his entire career, making him well worthy of the HOF, even without an MVP Award or even a top-3 MVP finish. His all-time dingers record in Cleveland along with a long list of other records and accomplishments further solidifies Thome as a top-tier power hitter in the history of the game with him always shining brightest in the biggest moments.
Jim Thome's HOF resume:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) August 28, 2021
- 5x All-Star
- 1996 Silver Slugger
- 2006 AL CPOY
- 2003 MLB HR Leader
- 3x AL BB Leader
- 2002 NL SLG & OPS Leader
- Most career Walk-Off HR in MLB history (13)
- #25 retired by #Indians
pic.twitter.com/xCnwxURA8J
Jim Thome's Cleveland ranks:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) August 28, 2021
- 1st in career HR (337) & BB (1,008)
- 1st & 3rd in season HR (52/49)
- Top 5 season BB (127-118)
- 2nd in career RBI (937)
- 3rd in career XBH (620), OBP (.414), SLG (.566), & OPS (.980)
- 4th in career TB (2,666)pic.twitter.com/48gRrWGKYj
Most career HR in Cleveland franchise history:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) August 28, 2021
1. Jim Thome (337)
2. Albert Belle (242)
3. Manny Ramirez (236)
4. Earl Averill (226)
T5. Carlos Santana & Hal Trosky (216)
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