Philly loves you, Jim Thome, but so does seemingly all of baseball.
Although he only played two-plus seasons with the Phillies, Thome's impact reaches far beyond the box score. He signaled the start of an era that would culminate in a title and two appearances in the World Series.
Thome was definitely feeling the love Wednesday as he heard his name called to the Hall of Fame.
The moment Thome, and his dad Chuck, have been waiting for was caught on camera.
Chuck Thome, father of #JimThome, the moment his son was inducted into the #MLBHOF. pic.twitter.com/L0wcQYRLIz— Ryan Piers (@RyanPiersMedia) January 25, 2018
The call. #ThomeHOF pic.twitter.com/MTByF5gD5E— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) January 24, 2018
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In a great moment, Charlie Manuel made a surprise phone call into MLB Network.
"I'm probably more happy than Jim is!" - Charlie Manuel surprises Jim Thome to congratulate him on his election to the @BaseballHall. pic.twitter.com/LZck96atLN— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 25, 2018
Among the many messages posted on social media, these two stood out to prove why Thome was destined to be enshrined in Cooperstown.
Love these notes on Jim Thome from @MLBNetwork's fabulous research department: Thome had higher OBP than Rickey Henderson. Hit home runs at rate eclipsed only by Bonds, Ruth, McGwire. Hit exactly as many postseason homers as Ortiz in 102 fewer plate appearances. Hall of Famer!— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 24, 2018
Jim Thome played 2,543 games in the MLB. He never went 30 straight without a home run.
He'll never go another day without being a Hall of Famer. pic.twitter.com/izqREZzAbk— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 24, 2018
Finally, some of his former teammates and friends chimed in as well.
Boom!! Congrats to my man Jim Thome!!! Cooperstown just got a lot better! Did it right the whole way and he's the greatest guy in the world!!!! You're the best! Thx for the kindness you showed to me w the Indians when I first came up. #payitforward pic.twitter.com/BLkbnWfu8j— Sean Casey (@TheMayorsOffice) January 24, 2018
What class of Hall of Famers! So excited for all 4 of these players! Jim Thome is the only one I've been able to sit down and learn from! He is the one of the most genuine people I've ever met! Congrats big Jim!! See you in philly!— Cameron Rupp (@CameronRupp) January 24, 2018
I couldn't be more happier to be part of #HOFClass2018 with these guys @RealCJ10 Jim Thome and @THoffman51
My respect, Congratulations!— Vladimir Guerrero (@VladGuerrero27) January 24, 2018
A couple of weeks ago, I was on a media panel talking to Phillies prospects.
When they asked me what recent player I covered that they should try to emulate, the first name I mentioned was Jim Thome.
As genuine a human being, with everyone he ever met, as any star I know.— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) January 25, 2018
Congratulations, Jim.
