Is Jim Thome a Hall of Famer? Absolutely ...

This column was first published on LandLoyalty.com on August 27, 2010.

It was 13 years ago today that the Cleveland Indians pulled up the socks, a symbolic gesture to help celebrate Jim Thome’s 27^th birthday. The Indians clobbered the then-Anaheim Angels 10-4, and the rest of that season took a turn for the better as the good guys went 18-14 the rest of the way and cruised to a third consecutive American League Central crown.

We all know what happened after that.

On that particular August night, Thome’s teammates were showing support for the man who statistically led them all season.

Last week when Thome belted a walk-off homer in pivotal game between the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox, speculation about Thome’s future inclusion into the Hall of Fame came to the forefront. ESPN’s Skip Bayless (shockingly) gave two thumbs down to Thome’s credentials. Other sources have posted polls that ask if Thome is Hall of Fame worthy, and he has received mixed reviews.

I’m here to tell you he is. No doubt about it. I don’t think he’ll get inducted first ballot – and that’s for another column because you’re either a Hall of Famer or you’re not – but there’s no doubt in my mind that James Howard Thome will be inducted in Cooperstown with Chief Wahoo displayed on his plaque.

There are arguments against Thome being enshrined, and you can say the same thing about a number of guys that have already been inducted.

Naysayers point out that he never won a World Series. Well, if Jose Mesa recorded two more outs in game seven of the afore-mentioned 1997 season, Thome would have a ring on his finger. Do those two outs keep Thome out? Seems unfair.

Thome led that team in homers and on-base percentage and was second in RBIs on a team that fell just short of winning a championship. If those two outs are recorded, he gets the benefit of ‘best player on the best team’ in his file.

I know one season doesn’t make a career, but 1997 seems to be a pure example of how valuable Thome could be to a ballclub. Some point out that Thome had the benefit of hitting in the same lineup with David Justice, Manny Ramirez and Matt Williams. When he went to Philadelphia and was protected by the likes of Bobby Abreu and Pat Burrell, he still produced – even leading the National League in homers (47) in his first season.

To the argument that he wasn’t a great fielder, well, point conceded. But it wasn’t like he was some lug that could only handle the designated hitter duties (i.e. Travis Hafner). He’s 54^th all-time in fielding percentage for first basemen, up 20 slots from three-time Gold Glove winner and Hall of Famer Eddie Murray, who also hit less homers than Thome.

At time of print, Thome is 10^th all-time in homers. Ahead of him are Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez and Mark McGwire, all of whom have been tied to steroids. Thome’s name has never been linked to performance enhancing drugs, and while it would be naïve to say he was absolutely, positively clean, he still receives the benefit of the doubt. People have wondered aloud, but his name wasn’t called out by The Mitchell Report or any other media publications, and no proof or strong indications hinder his case as they do the men ahead of him.

A look at Thome’s stats show no ‘spike’ in home run totals, even clubbing 23 round-trippers last season at the ripe old age of 39 and drug testing firmly in place.

When he left Cleveland, he wasn’t exactly embraced. He left for money and he wasn’t the first to do it, and as we saw this summer, he won’t be the last. The fact of the matter is that Jim Thome was a terrific player in Cleveland for 12 seasons – and he was fantastic for other teams as well – but at the end of the day he’s going to represent our city and our team in Cooperstown, New York.

Forget the home runs and the outstanding on-base percentage. Forget that he wasn’t exactly dashing with the glove. When you break baseball down to its simplest form, the goal is to score runs and not give up any to the opposition. In the history of the great game, only 24 players have created more runs than Jim Thome. He did what you’re supposed to do as an offensive player better than all but 24 players all-time, and for that he will be able to join the exclusive club: Hall of Fame.