Jim Thome to throw out first pitch before Game 7 of World Series

CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians all-time home run leader Jim Thome will throw out the first pitch before Game 7 of the World Series Wednesday night.

Thome, who hit 337 of his 612 career homers for the Tribe, also has a connection to the Cubs having grown up in Peoria, Ill., and rooting for the team as a kid. He played for the White Sox from 2006-09 and is now a special assistant to White Sox general manager Rick Hahn, a position he’s held since 2013.

Thome played on the last Indians team to play in the World Series in 1997, when they lost to the Florida Marlins in seven games. He played for Cleveland from 1991-2002 and in 2011.

Thome is one of three Indians with a statue outside Progressive Field. A fan poll in The Plain Dealer in 2003 named him the most popular athlete in Cleveland sports history.

Thome was in Cleveland for Game 1 of the World Series last Tuesday and brought his son, Landon, to Wrigley Field for Game 5 on Sunday night.