My Internet is broken so this will be short as I’m doing this on my phone.
Anyway, Twitter is telling me that the Phillies have signed Jim Thome to a 1-year contract to presumably help at 1b until Howard gets back and then play a bench role after that.
Thome can certainly still swing the bat – but it’s curious that he would choose to come back to the NL, where there is no DH.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
I’d like to quote Mr. Hank Williams Jr. on this one; “AWW YEEEEEHHH”
Sentimental value aside, this is a solid upgrade over Ross Gload (as per the power bat off the bench which may factor if Howard returns 100%), add a tested veteran to the clubhouse (intrinsic and highly underrated) and most importantly, as much as I love him, I am not ready for the John Mayberry Experiment at 1B.
but it’s curious that he would choose to come back to the NL, where there is no DH.
I’m guessing MLB is a cold hard world in which 600HR and lifetime .270plus hitters wander the streets in search of a hot, or cold, meal.
Or may be he just wanted to come back. Considering the fact that he signed so early, that may be the case. If so, RAJ definitely has a way of talking to people.
Jim struck out once every 3.5 plate appearances last year. But he’s a nice guy. And when he connects, he connects. Who knows what he’s got left. Ruben, credit for early effort … it’s those Penn Charter calesthenics.
He also had a much higher walk rate than anyone on the Phillies roster.
That’s a plus. He is a man. By presence, may help Phils to man-up. A lot of talent on club, a lot of it singular/insular in nature. On the other hand, there’s J-Roll, gabby, assumptive “leader” who might run ground balls out again – in foul and fair weather!
I have an authentic Phillies “Thome” jersey so this will be relevant again.
This caught me off guard. But I like it. Flexibility at 1st, professional at bats, power, high character, low risk.
Encores I Have Known:
Elmer Valo 8-43, .186, 1 HR, 8 RBI; ’61 – age 40
Tony Taylor 52-190, .274, 3 HR, 33 RBI; ’74-’76 – age 38-40
Dick Allen 177-714, .248, 27 HR, 111 RBI; ’75, ’76 – age 33, 34
Tim McCarver 182-671, .271, 12 HR, 44 RBI; ’75-’80 – age 33-38
Del Unser 80-324, .247, 6 HR, 45 RBI; ’79-’82 – age 34-37
“Living in the past has one thing in its favor – it’s cheaper.” ~ anon.
Mixed feelings on Thome. Slugger extraordinaire, but flat-out old. Is romanticized by press; everybody has a downside, or, if you prefer, a clubhouse cost. Will production accompany warm fuzzies? Brings two aspects to club: longball potential and an even-tempered professional
approach to job. His chumminess with Manuel – who acquired the brand of “hitting guru” & present job with Jim’s assistance – isn’t necessarily a plus. And a day or two into Thome’s second stint here he’s politicking for his former Minny teammate Cuddyer to be acquired ["a winner"].
One thing for certain: all area ducks, quails and pheasants should proceed with extreme caution as members of Phils’ hunting “Fab Five” – “Birddog” Dubee”, “Flusher” Lee, “Buck” Blanton, “Goober” Thome and “Gomer” Manuel - are mutterin’ like Elmer Fudd, and aimin’ to buckshot those playoff blues to smithereens.