tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650264859764006366.post7198597473576327754..comments2023-10-29T08:25:54.951-05:00Comments on The Daily Something: Happy Birthday...Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07840958382433052735noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650264859764006366.post-9816759761186547132009-08-27T22:57:03.117-05:002009-08-27T22:57:03.117-05:00Thanks, Lar. I've never really understood why ...Thanks, Lar. I've never really understood why Thome hasn't been more widely popular. Not only an amazing player, but he looks like a normal (if rather enormous) guy and always has that goofy smile on...what's not to like? Oh, and now obviously I'm <i>really</i> curious about the story. :) <br /><br />Brad, yeah, it was definitely the writers' senseless MVP-must-come-from-a-contender thing that kept him from doing better in '02. That was a terrible year for the MVP award...I remember being <i>furious</i> that Tejada beat A-Rod (for the same reason), and I probably still would be. Looks to me like it probably should've gone something like (1) A-Rod, (2) Thome, (3) Pedro. (who of course finished 20th).<br /><br />Incidentally, he celebrated his birthday with a 3-for-4, a double and 2 RBI. So good for him. Now let that be it for the White Sox and the winning.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07840958382433052735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650264859764006366.post-59350831686571954692009-08-27T17:52:37.705-05:002009-08-27T17:52:37.705-05:00Those are amazing splits against lefthanded or rig...Those are amazing splits against lefthanded or righthanded pitchers. He's never really come close to winning an MVP, which I understand, but there is something a little off about it.<br /><br />In arguably his best season, 2002, when he had 52 HR, 118 RBI, .304 BA, .677 SLG (led the league), 1.122 OPS (led the league), 122 BB (led the league), OPS+ 197 (best in the league) he only came in 7th in MVP voting. <br /><br />He even seriously cut down his strkeouts too, with only 137 (sandwiched in between 2 epic 180+ SO seasons). Garret Anderson finished ahead of him at 4th and he had essentially the same season as he did in 2001 (when he finished 21 in the voting).<br /><br />Thome's OPS that year ranks in the top 10 in the AL over the last 50 years. It was Cleveland's first down season in about 10 years, which probably hurt him a lot. He played the field too, only being the DH in 18 games. <br /><br />Few players have been as fun to watch hit home runs as Jim Thome, hopefully he'll get his due when it come time to vote for the Hall of Fame.Brad Templemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627469226738597714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650264859764006366.post-33457456033018441662009-08-27T16:15:34.750-05:002009-08-27T16:15:34.750-05:00Two great posts in a row, Bill.
I'm always am...Two great posts in a row, Bill.<br /><br />I'm always amazed at just how good of a career Jim Thome has had. it's like he's completely forgotten, but he's still about to enter the 600-HR club. How does that happen?<br /><br />Oh, and remember how there used to only be 3 members of the 600-HR club? It seems soiled by the likes of Sammy Sosa, but I guess that's how people probably felt when others started reaching the 500 HR club...<br /><br />My buddy's friend has a real interesting story that he heard about Jim Thome from a Minneapolis-area stripper... not sure it should be put online, though...larhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17314820003835656973noreply@blogger.com