posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 11:18 PM
by
Jim
Thome, sweet Thome
Today marked the first time I've ever seen a batter walked -- with two outs -- to face somebody who's batting .359 instead. Maybe this has happened with Barry Bonds, but I can't remember anybody on the Sox scaring pitchers this much since Frank Thomas in 1993-94.
Yet they still couldn't stop Jim Thome, who walked and hit his ninth homer of the year in tonight's victory against the Twins. Here are some fun Thome facts:
*He has scored a run in all 17 games. Thome now holds the record for consecutive games with a run scored to start the season, and is one short of tying
Red Rolfe and Kenny Lofton for the major-league record.
*He is tied for the league lead in homers with Future Sox Killer Chris Shelton, and is second in slugging as of Saturday morning. Thome's pulled closer in that department as well, with Shelton going 0-for-3 against Seattle. Also, those nine homers tie Frank Thomas' April record -- and there are still eight days left in the month.
*He leads the league in walks. Last year, Paul Konerko led the Sox with 81 walks; Scott Podsednik and Tadahito Iguchi finished second with 47. Thome is on pace for 200.
*He just started taking showers this year. He also
enjoys ice cream cones and thought Brokeback Mountain was
"A TRIUMPH OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT."