Jim Thome going to Cooperstown; former White Sox slugger says you should, too

Former White Sox slugger Jim Thome will wear an Indians cap when he’s inducted into the Hall of Fame.

He just as well could wear a hat representing the state of Illinois, where his roots are.

For Thome, whose 612 career home runs rank eighth on MLB’s all-time list, an induction into the Hall on July 29 will not only be about his massive accomplishments, but who he is, where he’s from and knowing what it means to his ‘community’ in Illinois.

That includes the area surrounding Limestone High School near Peoria, where he graduated from, but extends to Chicago, where he played four seasons and hit his 500th career home run and where he now works as a special assistant to general manager Rick Hahn.

“Peoria, Bloomington, the entire area, to have them go through this as well is so special,’’ Thome said during a conference call Friday. “Especially where I grew up with the family roots and values you go through as a kid. I always say where you grew up is who you are. I’m honored and blessed that everybody gets to share this great moment.’’

It was evident that Thome’s gentlemanly, humble manner hasn’t been lost since he was voted into the Hall of Fame on Jan. 24 with Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero and Trevor Hoffman. Jack Morris and Alan Trammell, voted in by the Modern Baseball Era Committee, will be inducted in Cooperstown, as well.

“The person goes in the Hall of Fame, but it’s so much more than just the guy,’’ Thome said. “It’s about your mom, your dad, your wife, brothers and sisters, friends and coaches. They get to live this with you. That’s the main thing that makes me happy.’’

Drafted by the Indians in the 13th round of the 1989 draft out of Illinois Central College, Thome enters Cooperstown as a first-ballot inductee with 337 of his homers coming with the Indians. He’s one of six players with at least 1,700 walks and 1,699 RBI, joining Babe Ruth, Mel Ott, Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski and Barry Bonds.

RELATED STORIES

• James Shields sharp, but Sox’ offense fails to deliver in loss to Mariners

• Don Cooper expects success, asks for patience in White Sox’ rebuild

The Sox, the third of six teams he played for, acquired Thome from the Phillies a few weeks after winning the 2005 World Series. Thome would slug 42, 35, 34 and 23 homers during his four seasons on the South Side.

Six years after playing his last game as an Oriole in 2012, Thome is headed to Cooperstown. And he said you should go there, too.

“The museum is magical,’’ Thome said. “Everyone who loves baseball should go to Cooperstown, give yourself two days and cherish what it is. You’re driving through this country of rolling hills and you’re thinking, ‘Where is it at?’ And when you arrive, there is a feeling like no other as a baseball fan. To go there and now call that home is just incredible.’’

Thome said his life since getting voted in “has been an absolute dream.”

“It’s been a great ride,’’ he said. “When you are elected to the Hall of Fame and see the joy and what it means to your family, friends and coaches …. I don’t want to say my life has changed too much — I try to keep that simple — but it’s been very special to share this with the people you care about.’’

NOTES: Before their game against the host Mariners on Friday, the White Sox reinstated outfielder Nicky Delmonico from the disabled list. Delmonico had been out since May 19 with a fractured right hand.

Delmonico, who was the Sox’ Opening Day left fielder, takes the roster spot of outfielder Charlie Tilson, who was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte on Wednesday. Delmonico was batting .224 with one home run in 37 games when he was hit by a pitch from Rangers left-hander Matt Moore.

• Manager Rick Renteria told reporters right fielder Avisail Garcia (right hamstring), who is with the team in Seattle, is close to coming off the disabled list. Garcia worked in the outfield and took batting practice Friday and could be activated any day.

“He’s definitely on the upswing,’’ Renteria said.

Outfielder Ryan LaMarre was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte after the game, meaning the Sox likely will activate Garcia on Saturday.

• Outfielder Eloy Jimenez, the No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, homered twice and doubled for Charlotte on Friday.

• Right-hander Michael Kopech, who has struggled with his command, had his second straight dominant outing for Class AAA Charlotte on Thursday. In his last two outings, Kopech has struck out 20, walked two and allowed two earned runs in 12 innings.

“He’s been very good,’’ Renteria said of MLB Pipeline’s No. 10-ranked prospect. “Poised, executing pitches. Piling up the strikeouts, so he’s moving forward. The last two outings have been really good.’’

Kopech (4.29 ERA), however, will make his next start for Charlotte, not the Sox.

“It’s a matter of allowing him to do it consistently,’’ Renteria said. “As long as he’s moving in the right direction we’re pretty happy with the progress he’s making.’’