Thome Hits 500th Homer, Enough for Cooperstown?
September 17, 2007 by Geoff Young
Filed under Feats and Accomplishments, Hall of Fame, Personalities
I forgot to mention that Jim Thome knocked his 500th career home run over the weekend. In light of Thome’s homer, the inevitable question of whether he is a Hall of Famer has surfaced. My first reaction was that he’s an absolute no-brainer, but then I looked at his numbers, which tell a different story.
The homers are nice, as is the career OPS+ of 149. But the fact that he has fewer than 2000 hits will work against Thome, as will the fact that he’s turned into a full-time DH toward the backside of his career.
That said, the guy just turned 37 and doesn’t appear to be in decline. I mean, he’s not dominating pitchers the way he did from, say, 1995 to 2004, but Thome is still a productive hitter with some mileage left in the tank.
In my humble estimation, Thome is just on the edge of serious HOF consideration. If his career ended right now, I could see it going either way. Assuming he can maintain anywhere near his current levels for another 2-3 years, he’ll be a mortal lock by the time he hangs up his spikes.
Oh yeah, and congrats. Hall of Fame speculation notwithstanding, 500 homers is a terrific accomplishment.
If he can last 2 or 3 more years, you’re right GY. The thing is, how long is it going to take the HOF voters – that the DH is a legit position. The DH rule has been in effect now for 35 years.