Former Baltimore Orioles DH Jim Thome Announces Retirement

Oct 10, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Jim Thome (25) grounds into fielders choice during the fourth inning of game three of the 2012 ALDS against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Jim Thome made his retirement from baseball official today, signing an honorary one-day contract with the Cleveland Indians with whom he played for 12 years. The occasion was also upon the unveiling of a statue there in his honor.

Thome, who will turn age 44 next month, last played for the Baltimore Orioles at the end of the 2012 season. He appeared in 28 games as a designated hitter, batting .257 and hitting three home runs in 115 plate appearances.

My memories of him from that end-of-season stint with the Birds will be of the role he played walking around the dugout and encouraging and advising young Orioles players. Truly one of the “good guys” in the sport, Thome has expressed interest in continuing in the game as a manager.

With a career record of 612 home runs (of which 337 were hit for Cleveland), he is a certain Hall of Fame inductee in five years. That home run total is #7 all-time in baseball.

So, I guess this means Jim Thome won’t be going into the Hall as an Oriole!