The time Jim Thome hit a ball so hard it (almost) vanished
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The time Jim Thome hit a ball so hard it (almost) vanished
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
(Jim Mone (AP)
TORONTO — After an exhaustive search, Jim Thome's 607th home run ball was found.
Thome's three-run homer Thursday landed in a flower bed in front of the right-field stands at Target Field and was feared lost. For a few innings, fans dug for the ball but could not find it.
A postgame search party of eight Twins employees failed to locate the ball, according to the Star Tribune. They removed the flowers and even strapped a harness to one worker, but the ball was nowhere to be seen.
But Friday morning, a Twins official Tweeted the ball was discovered and will be sent to Thome. Since nearing 500 home runs in 2007, the slugger has collected as many home-run balls as he can.
"They're tucked away for the kids," Thome said.
Thome has another memento from his stellar series in Minnesota — the ball he crushed over the center-field batter's eye Wednesday. A fan threw that one back onto the field and Thome procured it.
He hit it so far, it almost bounced into a popular concession stand. "It had a walleye stick on it or something," Thome said.
Everyone laughed.
"I'm joking about the walleye stick," Thome said, in true Thome form. "But that's where they sell walleyes up there."
Thome's nine RBIs against Minnesota were the most the future Hall of Famer has ever had in a three-game series. A six-game stretch as designated hitter has rejuvenated his bat.
"Nothing he does surprises me," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters after the game. "He's such an ox. As a matter of fact, a blue ox."
And this is a tall tale he can add to a career of them.
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Comments (33)
TYPICAL PHILADELPHIA FANS. Is it impossible to enjoy one moment in time? Can't we just say WOW before we trade him and bury RAJ yet again?— tommazza- Ryan Howard is better.
— phillygtown - Let's suspend all talk of post-season play until the Phils reach the .500 mark.— orange rhino
- Playoffs?????!!!!— waldo
- Let's get creative. I like the idea of him hitting 3rd on the road. He only has to play a couple innings in the field and he should get two at bats. Let's try it -- if he gets hurt, so be it.
Or bring him in to bat in 6th inning for home games -- again, plays the field a couple innings and gets a couple at bats.
Thome is the only energy right now for this team -- period.
— Chicago_Phils_Fan - Why can't he play 1B? Can'tbendover? can't catch a pop up, line drive or thrown ball? Sure he would be defensive liability, but so what?— Konstanty
- Fraud. Just so happen to go the game the guy got killed?
— Manny Trillo 
Cute article but after the fans were uprooting plants (I had the Twins telecast) for several innings and eight employees looking, where did they finally find the ball and how? In the next two weeks we'll see a minor trade of Thome, release or a retirement. He can't play first and he can't pinch hit. Nice farewell series.— TomO- When I was a kid, I remember Johnny Callison cracking one over the right field wall at Connie Mack. It was in the late innings of a night game and the ball just disappeared into the darkness. That was one of my best Phillies memories ever.— ArizonaMike
- Remember when 9 of 10 posters insisted that Thome retire or be dumped? Wrong. They also piled on Blanton as "useless." Wrong.— 2smart4philly
- Calm down Philsfan. So far he's been paid $1 million to play 9 games. So far he's been useless in NL action and we'll see how he does the rest of the season. I'm glad to see him come to life as a DH. It's been great. But it's still probably not a great signing for a 162 game season (and playoffs).— AvoidSundanceVacations
Let's remember that a mere month ago, everyone was lambasting amaro for signing Thome. He was hitting .111 at the time. Thome needs more at-bats. He is not Matt Stairs. He is a lot better than Stairs, but needs to be used.- After the struggles the Phillies had heading into the Twin Cities, Jim Thome's monster HR was cool. BTW power hitters with previous problems are hip and fashionable in today's MLB.....Adam Dunn is another.— road515
- Would love to see this great guy get a ring....somewhere.— dogman5
- i cheered for thome that day too, tormented. was proud to see such a great player hit that ball, and was proud of the few smart philly fans who applauded. actually, my memory is that it was many more than 1,000. we blew the game, which made me regret that a bit. but all in all, it's one of those moments you remember for a long time.— tockeyhockey
- Doubt it. Age catches up with everyone.— fanup
- When Howard gets back, any chance this guy can play third against right handers? Man it would be nice to keep him in the lineup at the end of the season.— JRum
Over a week ago, I made the statement here that bringing up Thome was a mistake. I simply could not understand how a guy who was like 2-18, sidelined for a month, with a bad back could suddenly show up and help this team.
I still don't understand. But I suddenly believe in magic. And if Thome has that magic, then let's hope it rubs off on everyone. :)
Carry on big man.— zubzub- I'm a Phillies season ticket holder and I'll admit phillies fans are one of the worst. They come in from jersey and the philly burbs for their big day in the city and start trouble when they act like idiots. Sorry but the truth hurts.— 19147
- Robyn - No cajones? I stood up and applauded a visiting player. I confronted the coward and got kicked out because of it. If you can't admit that your own behave badly, you're probably behaving badly, too.
And I agree they should take advantage of Thome's value now and acquire a solid reliever or prospect.— TormentedinBeantown 
Comment removed.- The Phillies should probably trade him or maybe try him again at first. He didn't get hurt fielding. He got hurt sliding into second. The cold damp weather that night may have been the reason and it's not going to be 50 degrees and rainy anytime soon.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- Comment removed.
- jamarder - the game I went to the year before, a guy was beaten to death in the parking lot. I've lived and died with the Phillies since the days of Luzinski, Bowa, Maddox and McBride, but I'm embarrassed to be associated with some of the idiots that show up at The Bank.— TormentedinBeantown
- You're a tool, Tormented. guy "wwouldn't turn around again. The Phils went on to blow the lead after which his friend made another comment. I stood up and got in his face." So the guy is sitting there, you're instigating, and get tossed. Sounds like you should stick to your beloved Sox, Pats, and other weak teams and do us all a favor and never come back to Philly again.
— mdm711 - Breaking Bad - I asked him to repeat it, multiple times, because I didn't catch it (though my brother told me later). He refused. Wouldn't turn around again. The Phils went on to blow the lead after which his friend made another comment. I stood up and got in his face. Security guards at the end of the row showed up like THAT and kicked me out, not him.
I go to 4-5 games at Fenway every year. People are much more respectful, knowledgeable, and civilized.— TormentedinBeantown - TormentedinBeantown- As much as it hurts me to admit this, Phillie fans don't deserve a guy like Jim Thome???? Thats the most idiotic thing I've ever heard.— jamarder
- you got thrown-out? What happened after the D comment?— Breaking Bad
- I'm a Philly native and die-hard fan, now living in Boston. Two years ago, while sitting behind home plate, I stood up and applauded Thome came to pinch hit for the Twins. He was a good Phillie and his decision to come here marked a turning point. Only about 1,000 people applauded him. He hit a home run. Guy in front of me turns around and say "You feel good about clapping for Thome now, D***** Bag". Needless to say I got thrown out. As much as it hurts me to admit this, Phillie fans don't deserve a guy like Jim Thome.— TormentedinBeantown
- If this streak says anything about him, it is that they need to trade him...believe it or not. He deserves to finish his career in the American League where he can hit every day. He should not be finishing his career sitting on the bench pinch hitting after interleague play is over. Dumb.— bigguy34
- If I was the GM of an American League team I'd love to add Thome to my lineup for the rest of the season as my DH. After the Toronto series the Phillies have no use for Thome. Not that he isn't a great guy and a sure Hall of Famer. We just have no place to use him. The last week shows that he can still hit. I will not be at all surprised if a deal is announced shortly after the end of the Toronto series. And from Thome's point of view it has to a better way to end his career than sitting on the Phillies bench waiting for one at bat per game. This is a chance to get one or two prime prospects in return for something we cannot use.— Al Wilson
- I wonder if they could cherry pick road games against particular right-handed pitchers where they could start Thome at 1B...let him bat 3rd...see if they could sneak 3-4 innings out of him on the field...get him 2-3 AB's in that game, and then get him out of there before his back tightens up. It might help the offense get started in those games as well as keep his bat fresher for pinch-hitting...— bebopdeluxe1
- I'm glad to see Thome get hot and help the Phillies, but after the Toronto series what's he gonna do? He can't play 1st base, so he'll ride the bench and occasionally pinch-hit. Pinch hitters bats can go cold real fast and Thome hits better when he plays more. Find an AL club that can use a power hitting DH and get some bullpen help.— gonzoinFla
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The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
Matt Gelb
Inquirer Staff Writer
Bob Brookover
Inquirer Baseball Columnist
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