Jim Thome Returns to the Phils
November 5, 2011
Veteran first baseman, designated hitter and one time Phillie Jim Thome, 41 signed a 1 year, $1.25 million deal with the Phillies. Thome played most of his career with the Indians, before joining the Phillies in his first stint in 2003. In 2004 with the Phillies, he hit his 400th career home run. He missed most of the following season because of an injury then the Phillies traded him to the White Sox because of the emergence of Ryan Howard. After leaving the Phillies, he played for the White Sox, a short stint with the Dodgers in their 2009 playoff run, the Twins and the Indians once again. He hit his 600th career home run with the Twins last season. This will be the third time Thome and Charlie Manuel will be on the same team as Manuel managed the Indians from 2000 to 2002. Thome will primarily be used as a left handed power pinch hitter, since Domonic Brown will probably remain in Triple A to develop his skills. John Mayberry will probably assume duties playing first base if Howard misses any time. In addition, Thome only played defense just once since 2007.
