Jim Thome gets it

Over the years that I've collected, I've tried to become a player collector.  Really I have.  I'm the type of person though that just doesn't collect a player just because of great stats, or the team that he plays on.  What draws me to a player is that the player "gets it".

What do I mean by someone getting it?  Well, the first and only player that I've ever collected in any sport, Joe Sakic, was able to "get it" at a very young age. Joe learned how to speak French so he could conduct interviews for the Quebec market that he played in.  For a man in his early 20's, learning another language as quick as he did, showed me that he was willing to do anything for the team he was on, and the market he played in.  Watching him conduct an interview in French without any slip ups just impressed me to the nth degree.

Joe "gets it".   I've enjoyed collecting his cards over the past 20+ years, and to be honest I really need to start beefing up his collection again.

Today, I read this article on Yahoo about another player who I now know "gets it".  For me, Jim Thome is someone who has character that goes well beyond a baseball field. 

I guess that's what it is all about for me as far as being a player collector goes.  I like people with character.  Those who value others before they value themselves. 

It doesn't have to be a body of work to impress me.  Five minutes is all it really takes to size up a person.  You know right away whether that person is going to like you, and whether you are going to like them.

The five minute article I read about Jim Thome today.  The five minute interview that Joe Sakic gave a French reporter over 20 years ago.  Those events told me that these guys are worth collecting.

Yes, I will be starting a Jim Thome collection.  Don't all rush to your trade boxes right away looking for Thome cards.  Player collections are usually lower on the totem pole for me as far as keeping up with them.

Yes indeed, I am collecting the same Jim Thome with 609 career HRs.  Jim has hit those HR's off of 400 different pitchers, against 30 different teams, and in 38 different ball parks.  Jim's first HR came off of Steve Farr of the Yankees in October of 1991.

Jim has had more career hits vs Roger Clemens (22) than any other pitcher.  Rick Reed was his biggest victim HR wise, 9 of Thome's 12 career hits vs. Reed were long balls.

I think I'm going to have some fun writing about, as well as collecting Mr. Thome. 

I already know that the man has character.  Five minutes told me so.

Thanks for reading, Robert