NewsThome passes Schmidt on home run list
White Sox slugger moves past Phils legend with 549th big fly
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
05/26/09 2:21 PM ET
ANAHEIM -- Thirteen became a lucky number for Jim Thome on Monday night at Angel Stadium. The prolific White Sox slugger blasted a 2-1 pitch from reliever Rafael Rodriguez deep into the right-field stands during the third inning of this series opener, giving him 549 home runs for his career and sole possession of 13th place on Major League Baseball's all-time list. Thome's long drive broke a tie with Mike Schmidt. Thome became familiar with the Phillies legend when he played in Philadelphia from 2003-05. Schmidt actually passed the Phillies' torch to Thome at the closing of Veterans Stadium in 2003, when Thome completed his first National League season with 47 home runs. "I have that picture. I told that story the other day, when he lifted my hand," said Thome of his emotional encounter with Schmidt at the stadium's closing ceremonies. "It was one of the better feelings of my career, for sure. "To have Mike Schmidt do that at the last game at the Vet. ... So, maybe the ball [No. 549] will go back to that picture. It would be pretty neat." This three-run shot gave Thome eight home runs and 26 RBIs in 2009, standing as part of the White Sox 24-hit outburst in a 17-3 victory over the Angels. He got the baseball back from this historic blast, just as he has for every home run from 500 moving forward. Alex Rodriguez sits next on the career list for Thome with 560, with Reggie Jackson (563), Rafael Palmeiro (569) and Harmon Killebrew (573) all within Thome's reach this season. But as Paul Konerko pointed out, the statistics do not make the man where one of the most affable players in the game in Thome is concerned. "You have to sit back some times and realize you are playing with a legend," Konerko said. "He's such a normal guy and humble guy that's just like any other teammate. But you have to realize his place in history keeps climbing. "With Jim, I think he has good perspective on everything. He knows it's a cool thing but it doesn't make him any better of a person. He's as good of a guy as anyone on that top 10 or 20 list, I promise you that." For Thome, passing a man he respects in Schmidt means that much more in the context of victory. "Mike is class," Thome said. "The times I've met him, he's a Hall of Famer, a guy in Spring Training who was around. And as a player, you want to pick his brain as much as you can. I think the aura of Mike Schmidt around tried to bring us to another level, when you see guys like that around, it's great." The same can be said by players who have suited up alongside Thome.Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
