Jim Thome joined the 600 home run club after sending a three-run shot into the left-field seats against the Detroit

Tigers last night. It was the slugger’s second round-tripper of the night.

Thome’s journey to 600 started twenty years ago, on Oct. 4, 1991, when as a rookie he hit his first an

d only home runthat season. While spending 12 seasons in Cleveland, Thome hit a total of 334 out of the park, including a career-best 52 during the 2002 season.

Trying his hand against NL pitching, Thome went to Philadelphia and blasted 47 and 42 his first two seasons with the Phillies. The 47 home runs in 2003 lead all of MLB.

Now 8th on the all-time list, Sammy Sosa sits in the No. 7 spot with 609, a number Thome may easily reach. New York Yankees infielder Alex Rodriguez, with 626, is the only active player in front of Thome while retired Giants outfielder Barry Bonds remains at the top with 762.

Used with permission of the author.

Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.

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