Jim Thome is back in baseball

[Da Coach]

Jim Thome is back, but not as a player. Jim went through free agency over the winter and found no offers to return this year as a player. He continued to work out and remained ready in case an opportunity arose. But now he has accepted an offer to join the White Sox as a special assistant to the White Sox General Manager Rick Hahn.

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130702&content_id=52463372&vkey=news_cws&c_id=cws

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-chicago-white-sox-jim-thome-special-assistant-20130702,0,3771418.story

[tornado]

Jim Thome's father clearly leaves the door open that Jim might still play and not be fully "retired" from playing

http://www.pjstar.com/free/x853680456/Thome-to-serve-as-special-advisor-for-White-Sox#axzz2Xz5k9lCd

[tornado]

Just had a chat with a great sports fan and past player in local baseball & softball leagues, who grew up with and played ball with Jim Thome's dad & uncle Art.....

He reminded me of an event later this summer...
The Cleveland Indians, on August 2, 2014 - are having a special ceremony at Cleveland's Progressive Field...
to unveil a statue of future HOF'er Jim Thome and honor Jim & his family at the game.
..apparently a pretty decent contingent of Peorians are gonna be there...

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10350975/cleveland-indians-unveil-jim-thome-statue-august

Here's a great story on Jim Thome's early days...his own high school coach says he was 3rd or 4th best player on his high school team!!

https://miscbaseball.wordpress.com/tag/chuck-thome-jr/

BTW - if Cleveland thinks he deserves a statue - then we ought to have one here in his hometown comparable to what other famous Peorians have been honored with.

[wily coyote]

Just had a chat with a great sports fan and past player in local baseball & softball leagues, who grew up with and played ball with Jim Thome's dad & uncle Art.....

He reminded me of an event later this summer...
The Cleveland Indians, on August 2, 2014 - are having a special ceremony at Cleveland's Progressive Field...
to unveil a statue of future HOF'er Jim Thome and honor Jim & his family at the game.
..apparently a pretty decent contingent of Peorians are gonna be there...

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10350975/cleveland-indians-unveil-jim-thome-statue-august

Here's a great story on Jim Thome's early days...his own high school coach says he was 3rd or 4th best player on his high school team!!

https://miscbaseball.wordpress.com/tag/chuck-thome-jr/

BTW - if Cleveland thinks he deserves a statue - then we ought to have one here in his hometown comparable to what other famous Peorians have been honored with.

There has been talk of putting up a statue of Jim at Limestone HS not sure where they are at with the process. He sure deserves one.

[Da Coach]

I recall when Jim joined the White Sox and returned to Cleveland to play against the Indians, he was booed loudly every time he came to the plate in every game the Sox played there for the 4 seasons he played for Chicago. Cleveland fans are ignorant and unappreciative of the accomplishments Jim gave them.
Jim didn't leave Cleveland because he didn't like playing there. He left because their management didn't bother to make him a legitimate offer when he became a free agent. They way he was treated by Cleveland fans, I wouldn't blame him if he refused to be honored there. But Jim is too much of a gentleman.

[tornado]

there were some bad Cleveland fans but the largest majority of them are wise and know the kind of man Jim Thome is and will graciously honor him

[Da Coach]

The Cleveland Indians will unveil a statue and honor Jim Thome at the Indians' game tonight. He will also sign a 1-day contract so he can retire as a Cleveland Indian.

http://fox8.com/2014/08/02/jim-thome-statue-unveiling-today-at-progressive-field/

From Jim Mattson's Facebook page-

https://www.facebook.com/JimMattsonWHOI