Blue Collar Tv

AMONG THE WAYS TO MEASURE AN athlete's popularity in Philadelphia, most telling might be the number of people wearing his number on their backs.

Based on that premise, Phillies first baseman Jim Thome has claimed a place alongside such icons as 76ers guard Allen Iverson (3), Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) and Flyers forward Jeremy Roenick (97). What is noteworthy about the proliferation of his No. 25 jersey around Citizens Bank Park is that Thome is completing his second season in red-and-white pinstripes.

And in a city where no jock is immune from the sports-talk radio scrutiny, about the only mention of Thome on a afternoon show last July was a brief discussion on whether the Phillies should Obtain more offense around him or acquire a pitcher for the club's second half run for a playoff berth. Silence is golden, yes, but in the city of brotherly love, it speaks volumes about one's standing.

Finding fault with Thome or his game is difficult. Through games of July 19, Thome was leading the majors with 31 home runs (his ninth consecutive season in reaching the 30-HR plateau) while batting .289 with 72 RBI--a pace that could total 50 homers and 115 RBI by seasons end.

Thome is usually too focused on helping the Phillies battle for a division title and playoff spot to tone in to the radio love he receives, but he feels it in other ways--including from "Thome's Homies" in the left field upper deck, a self described fan club that frequently appears at home games. Thome's mere emergence from the dugout can bring cheers even on the worst of nights.

"I love it. I really love it," says Thome, 33, who signed with Philadelphia before the 2003 season after 10 years in Cleveland. "The excitement and the expectations here, I really love it. It's special to play here every night. I get a kick out of it."

MVP NUMBERS PILING UP

Thome earned his first All-Star selection since 1999 because of a power display that was hard to ignore. He eclipsed Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt's club record with 15 homers in June, tying Cy Williams' franchise mark from May 1923, and had an .816 slugging mark for the month.

The Phillies' move from cavernous Veterans Stadium to cozy Citizens Bank Park has also keyed a more than 30-point spike from Thome's .266 average last year. His .289 mark through mid-July is 25 points off his career-best (.314) set nine years ago. If he keeps his homer-pace, he will become the tenth player in major league history to have multiple 50-homer campaigns--joining Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Ralph Killer, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey, Jr., Sammy Sosa and Alex Rodriguez.

"I'd say the ball carries a little better here, both ways," says Thome, who hit 16 of his first 31 homers at home. "It's the type of ballpark that you don't want to get wrapped up into hitting home runs; you can just hit."

Thome looks the part of a power hitter at 6-4, 244 pounds, with biceps better suited for football than baseball. He hit his 400th career homer on June 14 against Cincinnati's Jose Acevedo.

Through August 1, Thome's 78 home runs since 2003 are six better than Barry Bonds and two better than Alex Rodriguez. His 130 homers from 2002 and August 1, 2004 are two behind A-Rod and 12 better than Bonds, who obviously is pitched to less often.

MORE PATIENT AT THE PLATE

Thome has put up the numbers despite breaking the middle finger on his right hand in spring training. He has missed only nine regular-season games, including five in May with a sprained right index finger.

Although his body doesn't show it, he admits he likes a good meal more than weightlifting: "Nobody has ever said anything to me about steroids, and if they did, I'd probably laugh. I eat steak and eggs, and I don't lift. My wife's a good cook."

Thome chalks up his homer production to knowing N.L. pitching better and being more patient at the plate. And many times, it's all or nothing when Thome's at the plate. He had fanned 101 times through August 1 and has struck out more than 1,700 times during his career--including four seasons with more than 170 whiffs. He has also walked more than 1,200 times--including three years in which he paced A.L. hitters in bases on balls.

Thome can be choosy with so much protection around him. Second baseman Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco and Bobby Abreu bat in front of Thome while Pat Burrell and David Bell follow him in the Phillies lineup.

Thome is "putting up MVP-type numbers, and I guess if I had the choice as to whether he starts an All-Star game or wins the MVP award, I'd choose the MVP," says Phillies vice president and general manager Ed Wade. "At the same time, if I had to choose between winning the MVP and carrying the World Series trophy down Broad Street, I'd lean towards carrying the trophy down Broad Street."

THOME'S BAT LIFTED PHILLIES

Philadelphia's heartbreaking sports history has kept Phillies fans from thinking that far ahead. But they have envisioned a playoff team since Thome's bat lifted the Phillies from a disappointing April into a daily battle with the defending world champion Florida Marlins--who beat out the Phils for the 2003 N.L. wild-card berth, and defending division champion Atlanta Braves.

In Thome, they finally have a player they believe can affect a game much like McNabb, Iverson and Roenick. Fans also can relate to Thome through his regular guy diet, baggy uniform with pant legs rolled high and working man's approach to the game. Not to mention that he likes the fans as much as they like him.

"He's a worker," says former Phillies slugger Greg "The Bull" Luzinski, who runs Bull's BBQ in Ashburn Alley beyond the outfield at Citizens Bank Park. "He's one of the modern-day pros who connects with the people. He loves to hunt. You see him out and about. He's just an everyday guy."

Still, icon status is not granted easily in Philadelphia. Schmidt, a rookie manager with the Phillies' Florida State League affiliate, hit 548 homers and was one of the best third basemen in an 18-year career, but he was booed regularly.

McNabb and Roenick are still trying to lead talent-laden teams into the championship round, and Iverson must prove he can make nice with his coach and teammates. Because these three work hard, they've earned the benefit of the doubt until the next setback.

Thome will likely have to finish his career with the Phils to reach that level, but he has shown enough so far that fans have created a place in their hearts. And closet space for his jersey.

"People are fired up about Thome," says a 25-year Phillies fan. "If they stay in the pennant race and make the play-offs, I think you'll really see him take off as a superstar ... I think he arrived too late in his career to be considered one of the all-time great Phillies--unless, of course, they win the World Series."

Jim Thome: An Underrated Good Guy

WHEN JIM THOME WAS ADDED TO THE NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM LAST JULY, PITCHER RANDY WOLF CALLED the first baseman at home to offer congratulations. As soon as the Phillies reported to Citizens Bank Park the next afternoon, Thome walked over to Wolf's locker and thanked him for his thoughtfulness.

"I bet everybody on the team called him," Wolf said, "and I bet he thanked everybody individually. He's the most genuine guy I've ever met."

If not universal, that assessment of Thome is as far-reaching as relationships in baseball allow. In e survey conducted among all major league teams by reporters for Tribune Co., the slugger was judged the best teammate in the game. His 14 votes were culled from members of four different clubs who played alongside him in either Cleveland or Philadelphia and almost tripled the total of three players who shared second place with five votes.

"That's a pretty neat honor," Thome said. "Maybe you understand what another guy is going through and try to support him. It's similar to having a brother. You care about him. You want hire to do well."

When the Phillies signed the free agent to a six-year contract in December 2002, they got more than the most productive home run hitter in the big leagues over the last two-plus seasons. They also got less, thanks to an ego no bigger than his glove.

"He has that superstar status because of his personal success," veteran outfielder Doug Glanville said. "But he doesn't see himself above others. He embraces everybody. He plays like an extra just trying to make the team. He respects the game."

It took some of the Phillies a few weeks to realize that the man was as good as the vibes he gave out, as real as the hearty handshake he offered. They found that he was just as approachable after an O-for-4 day as after a multi-homer game, that he cared more about the team than individual honors.

"He's never moody," catcher Mike Lieberthal said. "He's the same guy every day. What's impressive is the way he carries himself on the field when things aren't going well--and when they are."

Thome didn't have to sell himself to his new teammates. Nor did he consider the possibility.

"You are who you are," the man said. "I was blessed to have good teammates in Cleveland. When you're around good people, it rubs off on you."

There's no doubt that Thome has rubbed off on the Phillies.

"He's so positive," Wolf said. "He'll call you during the off-season just to see how you're doing. And for all he's accomplished, he's actually underrated as a player."

The pitcher pointed to the All-Star fan voting in which Thome finished fourth among N.L. first basemen despite having hit 27 homers in his team's first 82 games up to that point in the season.

"That's because he doesn't draw a lot of attention to himself," Wolf said. "He doesn't put on a TV face. He just plays the game the right way."

--by Joe Gergen, Newsday

COPYRIGHT 2004 Century Publishing
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

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