James Howard "Jim" Thome (born August 27, 1970 in
Peoria, Illinois) is a Major League Baseball player
who currently plays for the Chicago White Sox.
On Mother's Day, May 14, 2006, Thome was one of more
than 50 hitters who brandished a pink bat to benefit
the Breast Cancer Foundation.
Off the field, Thome is putting all 10 of his nieces
and nephews through college. It was reported on
ESPN's SportsCenter that shortly after his nephew,
Brandon, was paralyzed in a tragic accident, he
asked Jim to hit a home run for him; not only did
Thome fulfill the request but he hit two homers in
the game. In a 2007 poll of 464 Major League
Baseball players, he was voted the 2nd most friendly
player in a tie with Mike Sweeney.
After hitting a home run, the scoreboard will often
display "THOME RUN" to distinguish his home runs
from other players' home runs.
On September 16, 2007, on "Jim Thome Bobblehead Day"
at US Cellular Field, Thome hit his 500th career
home run, becoming the 23rd player in baseball
history to accomplish the feat. His 500th career
home run was a walk off winner, he is the only
player to accomplish that feat.
Jim Thome currently lives in Hinsdale, Illinois.
On November 16, 2007, Thome and his wife, Andrea,
welcomed their second child, son Landon. They have a
daughter, Lila Grace.
