watchtower41 Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 *********************************************************** Greetings from... Jim Thome *********************************************************** January 19, 2006 Dear White Sox Fans, Growing up in Illinois, it's a dream and a privilege to come back home and be a part of a great organization like the White Sox. To be a part of this now, after winning the World Series, is really an honor. To come to a team that is so close to home, and to play in front of my family and friends, is really exciting. Baseball is a great game because it brings people together, and my wife Andrea, our daughter Lila and I are really pleased to be here. This winter has been really crazy for us. Everything seemed to go so quickly, and the holidays flew by. But we're excited about moving here, and we're hoping to be able to call Chicago our permanent home. My offseason training has been great, though it's been a different kind of winter than I've had in the past. Because I was injured and didn't play during the second half of last year, my training has been really intense and regimented since August, as opposed to other years when I'd take a break after the season. I've worked out here at the ballpark a few times, and I've enjoyed meeting head trainer Herm Schneider and getting to know the front office a little bit. It's been a pleasure to realize that everyone is invested in making sure I'm healthy and ready to go for spring training. For my entire career I've been asked about my favorite road city, and I've always said that players should take any chance they have to play in Chicago, even as an opponent. To have the opportunity to play here for the next three years is a dream. Chicago is a passionate, hard-core, championship-hungry city, and I imagine that now the fans are more focused than ever. You add the success of the Bears this year and it's pretty awesome to be here. I think the Bears have the right tools in place to be a great team for many years to come! I've been blessed to have good people, starting with my wife, who help me understand what opportunities exist to be involved in the community. We signed up to be in Chicago for the long term, and we truly want to form a relationship with the people of Chicago. As an athlete and a role model, I want Chicagoans to know that we're trying to do just that - to help different causes, to make a difference at the end of the day, and above all to have fun and enjoy our time here. I've always known that to be successful, you have to know how to be part of a team first. It's not about me, it's about we - and that's as true in life as it is in sports. I understand the impact that athletes can have on people, and I've worked very hard to make sure I leave something meaningful behind. I grew up in Peoria, so I've always been involved in the community there. I'm excited to have the chance to do the same thing here in Chicago. Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm looking forward to seeing you at SoxFest, and of course to beating the Indians on Opening Day. Jim Thome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyho7476 Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 I think he's going to quickly become a fan favorite. I hope him and Konerko can take over this town, as we shift it from loser blue to winner silver and black. Welcome Jim! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmags Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 thanks jim, you're writing is very similar to paul konerkos i noticed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chisox72 Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Awesome letter. I especially enjoy the last line. I think he is going to be a perfect fit for this city and will quickly be loved here. Thanks Jim!!! Here's to a great 2006!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierzynski 12 Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Awesome letter.Big Jim Thome!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChWRoCk2 Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Really nice article, hope everything goes well for him in the offseason and he trains well so he doesnt get injured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 QUOTE(bmags @ Jan 19, 2006 -> 12:11 PM) thanks jim, you're writing is very similar to paul konerkos i noticed... LOL.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxrd5 Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 QUOTE(bmags @ Jan 19, 2006 -> 01:11 PM) thanks jim, you're writing is very similar to paul konerkos i noticed... Naturally...he followed the well-known, "power hitting first basemen style of fan letter writing format." It's a common practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 QUOTE(Chisoxrd5 @ Jan 19, 2006 -> 11:07 AM) Naturally...he followed the well-known, "power hitting first basemen style of fan letter writing format." It's a common practice. As long as he hits 40+ home runs and drives in 100+ runs next year, he could have had a bunch of trained monkeys write it for all I care. "It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reddy Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 we all know that jim's considered a class act, but i really get the sense that we've picked up one of if not the best guy in baseball. i think there definitely will be a huge fan following for jim and hell, if he can produce the way we hope he will, we'll have our own version of the bash brothers to boot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg The Bull Luzinski Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 A class act that Jim Thome is. Still, that does not excuse ending a sentence in a preposition. B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreatScott82 Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Its funny how he always mentioned that he loved playing in Chicago as a visitor and loves Chicago baseball. He kind of left the fact out that he was a Cub fan growing up. Haha its cool, at least he admitted that earlier. Welcome big Jim! Welcome to the South Side! The champion brand of Chicago baseball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 I'm looking forward to seeing you at SoxFest, and of course to beating the Indians on Opening Day. rock on, Thome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchtower41 Posted January 19, 2006 Author Share Posted January 19, 2006 The only thing I'm kinda surprised about is that he didnt throw Paulie a bone in the letter, as far as looking forward to playing with him or returing the praise that #14 dished out in his letter, mentioning that Thome had a great deal of weight in deciding to come back. At any rate, I'm glad that he is not taking the sit back approach and waiting to naturally become a part of the team and our chemistry. He is taking his own iniative to be a true White Sox team player right from the get go instead of trying to alienate himself for not being a part of the special year which triggered his arrival. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RME JICO Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 QUOTE(watchtower41 @ Jan 19, 2006 -> 03:13 PM) The only thing I'm kinda surprised about is that he didnt throw Paulie a bone in the letter, as far as looking forward to playing with him or returing the praise that #14 dished out in his letter, mentioning that Thome had a great deal of weight in deciding to come back. At any rate, I'm glad that he is not taking the sit back approach and waiting to naturally become a part of the team and our chemistry. He is taking his own iniative to be a true White Sox team player right from the get go instead of trying to alienate himself for not being a part of the special year which triggered his arrival. In regards to mentioning Paulie, he probably didn't want to offend anyone by only mentioning one or two players. Welcome Aboard Jim! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9347 Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 I Jim Thome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rventura23 Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 very nice letter, good to have him aboard hes got his head on straight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DABearSoX Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 19, 2006 -> 07:13 PM) As long as he hits 40+ home runs and drives in 100+ runs next year, he could have had a bunch of trained monkeys write it for all I care. "It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Welcome Jim! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxfest Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 He is going to be a great clubhouse guy. Great pickup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigHurt Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Can't wait to see you at the plate for the first time as a White Sox player, Jim! Welcome to the Chicago White Sox! : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hibbard Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Jan 19, 2006 -> 01:42 PM) Its funny how he always mentioned that he loved playing in Chicago as a visitor and loves Chicago baseball. He kind of left the fact out that he was a Cub fan growing up. Haha its cool, at least he admitted that earlier. Welcome big Jim! Welcome to the South Side! The champion brand of Chicago baseball LOL. I didn't know he was a Cub fan, but after reading the way he phrased this letter, I knew it immediately based on what he DID NOT say... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 19, 2006 -> 02:13 PM) As long as he hits 40+ home runs and drives in 100+ runs next year, he could have had a bunch of trained monkeys write it for all I care. "It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times" Man, I wish I had trained monkeys to write my letters. I heard they can write like Shakespeare! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerbaho-WG Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Since the day Jim was acquired, he's acted like a true professional, and most of all a teammate and leader. He'll be a great presence in the clubhouse for young guys like McCarthy and Anderson to look up to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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