From a press release:
In honor of our “home run hero” Jim Thome, Mayor Jim Ardis and the Peoria City Council are declaring the City of Peoria “Thome Town.” This designation will be in place during the playoffs to recognize our home grown son and his many accomplishments.
Jim has hit 541 home runs and it was his home run against the Minnesota Twins that helped to clinch the American League Central Division crown, and secure the White Sox a spot in the playoffs.
Jim Thome and his wife Andrea have been true All-Stars in Peoria and other communities, and they are greatly respected for their generous charitable endeavors such as the Children’s Hospital of Illinois, Easter Seals, the United Way, Chicago Children’s Home + Aid, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, just to name a few.
This honorary designation recognizes Jim Thome not only for his big swing, but for his big heart. A resolution giving Peoria the honorary designation of “Thome Town” will be passed by the Peoria City Council at their October 14, 2008 meeting.
Does this mean I have to rename my blog “The Thome Town Chronicle” during the playoffs?
GO JIMMY!!
Now here is a hometown boy deserving of a street or even a park being named after him. He never forgot his roots, always comes back to visit the kids at CH, is a true gentleman and is beloved within MLB by fans, players, management. The guy is even paying for all his nieces and nephews college education. What a man!