Jim Thome hadn’t officially retired from Major League Baseball, despite not playing a game since October of 2012. Thome had waited patiently for any team who was willing to take his veteran skills on, no one came seeking his services.
So on Saturday made the retirement official, his 22-year career now in the history books. And he went out as a Cleveland Indian, signing an honorary one-day contract to finalize it.
And there it is! Congrats, Jimmy! #ThomeStatue https://t.co/sXnJdyCWen
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) August 2, 2014
Thome remains the Indians leading home run hitter, with 337. On the all-time home run list, ‘Big’ Jim Thome ranks 7th on the list, with 612. He will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2018.