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Cleveland Indians 1991-2002
Thome debuted
on September 14, 1991 playing 20 games at 3rd base. He became a regular in 1994, hitting 20 homeruns in 369 at bats. Thome
helped the Indians win the AL Pennant in 1995, hitting a career high .314 with 25 homers. He hit at least 30 homeruns every
year from 1997-2002, including 49 in 2001 and a career high 52 in 2002. He was shifted to 1st base in 1997. Thome appeared
in 3 All Star Games as an Indian (1997-99) and reached the postseason 6 times.
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Philadelphia Phillies 2003-2005
The most sought after hitter on the free agent market, Thome inked a 6-year,
$85 million contract with the Phillies. He led the NL in homers with 47 in 2003
and 42 in 2004 before injuries limited him to 59 games and 7 homeruns in 2005. Due
to the emergence of Ryan Howard, Thome became expendable and was dealt to the White Sox for centerfielder Aaron Rowand in
November 2005. The Phillies did not reach the postseason during Thome’s
tenure and he appeared in one All Star Game (2004).
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Chicago White Sox 2006-2009
Acting as the team’s DH, Thome bounced back in 2006 and topped the
40 homerun plateau for the 6th time and was named to the AL All Star team. The
veteran slugger belted another 35 homers in 2007 and 34 in 2008 including the game winner in a 1-0 playoff victory over
Minnesota that gave the Sox the AL Central title. On August 31, 2009, with the
White Sox out of contention, Thome was dealt to the Dodgers for minor leaguer Justin Fuller.
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Los Angeles Dodgers 2009
Used exclusively as a pinch hitter, Thome went 4-14 (all singles) and drove
in 3 runs with the Dodgers during the regular season. In the postseason,
he was 1-5 for the NL West Champs.
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Minnesota Twins 2010-2011
Thome inked a modest free agent deal with the Twins on January 26.
Playing for his 3rd AL Central team, Thome was a key contributor for the division champions, hitting 25 homers
in 340 at-bats in 2010. After turning down a more lucrative offer with Texas, Thome returned to Minnesota in 2011.
On August 15, 12 days shy of his 41st birthday, the future Hall of Famer hit his 600th career homerun off Daniel Schlereth
at Comerica Park.
With the Twins hopelessly out of contention, Thome was dealt back to Cleveland on August 25
for a player to be named later.
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Cleveland Indians 2011
The veteran slugger returned to Cleveland to help the team for the
stretch drive. Thome homered as an Indian for the first time since 2002 on August 27, his 41st birthday.
The blast was No. 602 of his illustrious career.
In 22 games with the Tribe, Thome hit .296/.390/.479 with 3 homeruns. He finished the
2011 season with 15 homers overall.
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Philadelphia
Phillies 2012
Thome
inked a minor league contract that included an invite to spring training with Philadelphia on November 4, 2011. The veteran slugger found playing time sparse and did a stint on the DL before catching fire during Interleague
play. In 30 games - 62 at-bats - Thome hit 5 homeruns for the Phillies. He was dealt to Balitmore for 2 minor
leaguers on June 30.
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Baltimore Orioles 2012
Thome joined the O's less than two months before his 42nd birthday.
He is expected to be their semi-regular Designated Hitter.
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Thome @ Baseball-Reference.com
Thome @ Wikipedia.com
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