Jim Thome, 1B, Chicago White Sox
When the Indians drafted Thome in the 13th round of the 1989 draft they couldn’t have expected the kind of production they got out of him. Jim Thome is the size of a house and he swings big and when he makes contact (which is often) the ball tends to go a long way and when he misses he misses big. Since his debut in ‘91 he has 430 homeruns to his name and is one of those hitters who when he’s at the plate you know something is going to happen. But that’s not what gets him to fifth in this list.
A big guy who looms large in the clubhouse is an even bigger man in the community as he dedicates so much of his time to charitable causes, most notably the Steve Palermo Chapter of the National Paralysis Foundation. In response to his winning the Roberto Clemente Award in 2002 he said in typically humble tones, “I have never thought of my time in the community as work, but as my responsibility to spread my good fortune to those around me who are more deserving.”
Away from the NPF, Thome has served as co-chairman of the United Way Softball Slam, done countless fund raising events for the children’s home in his home town of Peoria and he and his wife dress as Mr and Mrs Santa Claus whilst organising a toy drive dedicated to disadvantaged kids. Needless to say there simply aren’t enough Jim Thome’s in the world.
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