Record #: R2018-925   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 9/20/2018 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 9/20/2018
Title: Congratulations extended to James Howard Thome on induction into National Baseball Hall of Fame
Sponsors: Thompson, Patrick D., Tunney, Thomas, O'Shea, Matthew J., Quinn, Marty, Beale, Anthony
Attachments: 1. R2018-925.pdf

September 20, 2018 City Council

2018 SEP 12 AHI|:li3

VifjjEREAs, James Howard Thome, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame oh July 29, 2018, Cooperstown, New York; and

 

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this event by Alderman Patrick D. Thompson; and

 

WHEREAS, Jim Thome was born on August 27,1970, and grew up in Peoria, Illinois; and after attending Illinois Central College, he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1989 and made his Major League Debut in 1991; and

 

WHEREAS, Jim Thome married Andrea Thome in 1998 and had two children; London Thome and Lila Grace Thome; and

 

WHEREAS, Jim Thome played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1991 to 2012; and

 

WHEREAS, Jim Thome played for six different teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians during the 1990s and early 2000s; and

 

WHEREAS, Jim Thome, the storied slugger who became a fan favorite with the White Sox from 2006-2009; and

 

WHEREAS, Jim Thome had established himself as one of baseball's top power threats, a skill he carried forward in stints with the Phillies, White Sox, Dodgers, Twins, and Orioles through the 2012 season; and

 

WHEREAS, Jim Thome was a five-time All-Star (three times for the Indians, and once each for Philadelphia and Chicago), a one-time Silver Slugger recipient and he finished in the top 10 in MVP Award balloting four times; and

 

WHEREAS, Jim Thome ended with 612 home runs (eighth all-time), 1,747 walks (seventh) and a .956 OPS (18th); he ranks fifth in career at-bats per home run at 13.76, and

 

 

WHEREAS, Jim Thome hit an MLB-record 13 walk-off home runs, launched nine grand slams, had 17 postseason blasts, homered in 38 stadiums and took 403 pitchers deep during his career; and

 

WHEREAS, In 2001, Jim Thome was awarded the Marvin Miller "Man of the Year" award for his work with the United Way. He also served as the Honorary Co-Chairman of the United Way's Home Run Derby from 1998 to 2002; and

 

WHEREAS, Jim Thome is best known for his efforts to help raise awareness, generate support, recruit foster parents and advocate for the needs of foster children and families through the Bring Me Home Campaign to raise money for Children's Home and Aid; and

 

WHEREAS, Jim and Andrea Thome started the Bring Me Home Campaign in 2007 with Paul and Jennifer Konerko, and later joined by Gordon and Brittany Beckham; and

 

WHEREAS, Jim Thome also helped 10 nieces and nephews with their college educations, and after the Washington tornadoes in 2013, the Peoria native donated money to the relief efforts and traveled to the hardest hit communities to visit the victims; now, therefore

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twentieth day of September 2018, do hereby congratulate Jim Thome on his induction as a member of the National Hall of Fame; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Jim Thome.

 

txh-

x Matthew O'Sfi^ Alderman,' 19^ Ward

Anthony Beale Alderman, 9th Ward

Marfty Quinn Alderman, 13th Ward