I was so glad when Thome got inducted. He has made the city of Cleveland proud. This is an honor for him that is so well deserved that I just can't put it into words, except to say Congratulations Jim, and to say that you are truly one of the best at showing your love for the game. #25 in our hearts forever.
In March, 1993, I went to the Indians Spring Training facility in Homestead, Florida for an exhibition game with the then Florida Marlins. At the end of BP, players gathered around the backstop fence to sign auto's with Jim standing back a bit, and I called out in a loud voice " Jim Thome, future All-Star". The players at the fence chuckled a little, and Jim blushed, at which I handed him a card of his to sign, which he did gracefully. Look at him now. This is a true story, and if you ask him, he may even remember it. At the fence then were Kenny Lofton, Albert Belle, Carlos Bearga, Sandy Alomar, Jr. whose auto's I got as well. Great memory for me, I was born and raised in Cleveland and always will be a Tribe fan.
He certainly puts the C in Class. So glad his great career had a stop here with the White Sox and where he continues to work. Congrats to a Hall Of Fame person
A class act that all professional athletes should try to be. You and Charlie led the way for Ryan Howard to help Philly win the 2008 World Series. Your dignity in how you helped Ryan and the Phillies grow will always be legend in the best sports town in the USA. Thank you and congratulations to you and your family.
I watched the hole thing my all time favorite player Tram, but I'm so proud to have had a chance to hear Jim Thome what a wonderful speech, and your daughter sang the Anthem beautifully congrats to all of these men and I was so happy to see this,
seriously... we have to VOTE him in? lol this man is what baseball is all about, what baseball should be about, respect, competition, dedication, honesty. best power hitter in an "special" era. Mr. Thome, sir you the best
One of the greatest. Only second to Ruth as a player. As a person, first. He deserves this and more. Wish he could have gotten a ring with Cleveland. Those years were special, they all deserved rings.
@@mikeoaster1935 The crew on MLB network call them “Hall of fame elect” Just like the president, ur not officially president until u get sworn in, I think it’s the same here with the ceremony, ur not officially a hall of famer until Manfred reads ur plaque that will go in the hall
I dont know Why Jim Thome was inducted into the Hall. The Cleveland Indian player that should have been deducted before Thome is ROCKY COLOVITO. His numbers and stats were far better than Thomes. Why isnt Colovito in The HOF?
another Steroid user in the Hall of Shame?, say it ain't so??. but, yet No Joe (Shoeless) Jackson nor Pete Rose are in the MLB Hall of Fame?, if Shoeless Joe and Charlie Hustle took the amount of Steroid's player's like Thome, Joe would have Batted well over .400 and Pete would have Hit over 5,000 of 6,000 Hit's lifetime.
Matt Livingston: just look at Picture's of Thome from 1990. 1991 or 1992, he was thin, lean and what 200Ibs?, by the 2000's he has the huge Head and No Neck of the Roid user and was what 245-250Ibs?, the proof you need is in the Picture's. As a Lifetime (since 1969) Mets fan, I look back at Picture's of Lenny Dykstra, Howard Johnson, Kevin Elster and Todd Hundley and you can see the Steroid's take-over, and remember the shit started in the Mets Clubhouse (Kirk Radomski) in the late 1980's. So, this Not an Attack at Thome, but, at Baseball itself, they both the Player's and Owner's Lied to us, so, we would spend more Money on a Dirty Game (in the late 1980's to the late 2000's). If Played Cleanly? Thome might have been a Hall of Fame 3rd Basemen, but, Micheal Jack Schimdt is still the best Third bagger of all-time!, and that's coming from a 56year old Mets Fan!. :-)
I was so glad when Thome got inducted. He has made the city of Cleveland proud. This is an honor for him that is so well deserved that I just can't put it into words, except to say Congratulations Jim, and to say that you are truly one of the best at showing your love for the game. #25 in our hearts forever.
This man transcends any team. If you don't like Jim Thome, then you don't love baseball.
I went to High School with Jim. Actually had a class with him. Limestone Rockets in Bartonville, Illinois. He's always been a classy stand up guy
One of the most amazing hitters and to boot such a class act. Miss watching him play
Love Jim thome 1 of my favorite players growing up and couldn't be a more humble and 1st class person. Congrats big Jim Thome my homie
In March, 1993, I went to the Indians Spring Training facility in Homestead, Florida for an exhibition game with the then Florida Marlins. At the end of BP, players gathered around the backstop fence to sign auto's with Jim standing back a bit, and I called out in a loud voice " Jim Thome, future All-Star". The players at the fence chuckled a little, and Jim blushed, at which I handed him a card of his to sign, which he did gracefully. Look at him now. This is a true story, and if you ask him, he may even remember it. At the fence then were Kenny Lofton, Albert Belle, Carlos Bearga, Sandy Alomar, Jr. whose auto's I got as well. Great memory for me, I was born and raised in Cleveland and always will be a Tribe fan.
He certainly puts the C in Class. So glad his great career had a stop here with the White Sox and where he continues to work. Congrats to a Hall Of Fame person
I'm a White Sox fan; I'm just picturing him spending the same number of years with the White Sox as Frank Thomas did.
I know he played for other teams...but I am more than glad that he went in as an Indian.
If Pujols Gets In Pujols Needs To Go In As An Cardinal The Team That Albert Pujols Started His Career With In 2001
A class act that all professional athletes should try to be. You and Charlie led the way for Ryan Howard to help Philly win the 2008 World Series. Your dignity in how you helped Ryan and the Phillies grow will always be legend in the best sports town in the USA. Thank you and congratulations to you and your family.
He'll always be a Cleveland Indian to me, Congrats Jim, you've earned this.....
I'm a Red Sox fan but always admired that cast that Cleveland had in the 90's, really wished they could have won one in the
Chris Buck Boston fans have way more respect for opposing teams than ny, and as a Cleveland fan I respect that
One of the best speeches I’ve ever heard Jim thome was very authentic and articulate with his words of wisdom
glad to see MLB is finally posting these speeches to the youtube channel. Great job MLB.
Jim Thome-total and complete class! Thank you Jim, you make the South Side of Chicago proud!
One of my FAVORITE baseball players ever!
Mine too
Tremendo bateador lo ví jugar y ayudar a Dennis Martínez a ganar juegos con sus grandes batazos ...
I watched the hole thing my all time favorite player Tram, but I'm so proud to have had a chance to hear Jim Thome what a wonderful speech, and your daughter sang the Anthem beautifully congrats to all of these men and I was so happy to see this,
seriously... we have to VOTE him in? lol
this man is what baseball is all about, what baseball should be about, respect, competition, dedication, honesty.
best power hitter in an "special" era.
Mr. Thome, sir
you the best
One of the greatest. Only second to Ruth as a player. As a person, first. He deserves this and more. Wish he could have gotten a ring with Cleveland. Those years were special, they all deserved rings.
They Were Robbed If Thome Were On A Better Team Say The Yankees He'd Have 4 Rings (1996, 1998, 1999 And 2000)
White sox fan here.
Congratulations Jim. Always had a great time watching you play in Chicago
Cool to know that Jim Thome and the late great Richard Pryor come from Peoria Illinois congrats to big Jim
Might be the nicest person ever. Congrats Big Jim!
One of my favorite ballplayers growing up! He deserves to be in the hall of fame 100%
Jim Thome a real baseball player, a real man.
Authenticity and Honesty. Natural high in time better than anything.
Me and my Dad witnessed his walk-off HR vs the Angels at U.S. Cellular Field in person. His 500th of his career at that time.
Congrats to Jim Thome. The best of the best
his daughter has his ears! great speech from one of the best.
I've always heard he's just a great guy. Congrats to him for reaching the HOF.
Mr. Incredible 😂
The pride of Peoria, Ill
Always an Indian first
Amen went to alot of games with my dad as a kid and got to see him crush the ball at the jake and always tried to emulate his power
Hall of Fame human being!!! We miss you in Cleveland!!!
Nice speech Jim. Love it
Classy guy.
What a class act!
I love baseball!
Nicely done sir!
The nicest guy in the game period.
Class act.
Unbelievable
Proud to go to this guys former hs!
Thome for President 2024!
Perfect
Yes, he also belongs here. Not all do!!
Forever a Cleveland Indian!
Congratulations My Brother BiG Jim
Love U My Brother
Wow.. Just wow...
Jumbo Jimbo
A man among boys
Nice speech
1:00 why is Cal Ripken on his phone during his speech… like I get it dude you played a lot of games, but show some respect
Aquí es cuando te das cuenta que eres viejo, cuando los peloteros con los que creciste ahora pertenecen al salón de la fama
Thome for president, FFS!
Trivia!!! The only player to hit 600 HR's but didn't hit a HR for every team he played for! He didn't hit a HR for the LA dodgers.
All these Phillies and White Sox fans acting like he didn’t go in as an Indian lolol
What?
" my wife is my rock "
So wen do they officially become hall of famers since they don’t get sworn in, once they get announced, after their speech or after the ceremony?
I believe they are officially members as soon as they get the call and accept. The ceremony is just a formality.
@@mikeoaster1935 The crew on MLB network call them “Hall of fame elect” Just like the president, ur not officially president until u get sworn in, I think it’s the same here with the ceremony, ur not officially a hall of famer until Manfred reads ur plaque that will go in the hall
Wow!!! Now that is English!!!!
Love U My
Never heard of him.
Didn't say Manny?
I dont know Why Jim Thome was inducted into the Hall. The Cleveland Indian player that should have been deducted before Thome is ROCKY COLOVITO. His numbers and stats were far better than Thomes. Why isnt Colovito in The HOF?
Wayne Swisher maybe because he hit 612 homers, played till he was 41 and is considered one of the nicest guys ever to go with it
Plenty of more deserving players who are not in.
600+ Homer's and career obp over .400 tho. I agree some aren't in who should be tho. his teammate kenny f***in lofton
First
another Steroid user in the Hall of Shame?, say it ain't so??. but, yet No Joe (Shoeless) Jackson nor Pete Rose are in the MLB Hall of Fame?, if Shoeless Joe and Charlie Hustle took the amount of Steroid's player's like Thome, Joe would have Batted well over .400 and Pete would have Hit over 5,000 of 6,000 Hit's lifetime.
That’s Right Pete Rose HOF 2019
Matt Livingston: just look at Picture's of Thome from 1990. 1991 or 1992, he was thin, lean and what 200Ibs?, by the 2000's he has the huge Head and No Neck of the Roid user and was what 245-250Ibs?, the proof you need is in the Picture's.
As a Lifetime (since 1969) Mets fan, I look back at Picture's of Lenny Dykstra, Howard Johnson, Kevin Elster and Todd Hundley and you can see the Steroid's take-over, and remember the shit started in the Mets Clubhouse (Kirk Radomski) in the late 1980's.
So, this Not an Attack at Thome, but, at Baseball itself, they both the Player's and Owner's Lied to us, so, we would spend more Money on a Dirty Game (in the late 1980's to the late 2000's).
If Played Cleanly? Thome might have been a Hall of Fame 3rd Basemen, but, Micheal Jack Schimdt is still the best Third bagger of all-time!, and that's coming from a 56year old Mets Fan!. :-)
Michael Relf: never going to Happen, I am afraid to say!, Shoeless Joe was Banned for Life and he has been Died for 67years now. :-(
He's a farm boy. And it's called getting older. Thome never took roids. Don't start rumors that aren't true. You're just jealous.
mkdzr72: what Flavor Kool-Aid are you drinking?. Grape?. LOL!. :-D