The Indians Hall of Fame first baseman launched baseballs deep into the October night during the World Series, his number 25 is retired and a statue of him resides in center field, but Sunday’s All-Star festivities that included the MLB Celebrity Softball Game and the Futures Game provided flashbacks and a multitude of memories to last a lifetime.
Now a special assistant with the Chicago White Sox, Thome managed the American League to a 2-2 tie in the 8-inning Futures Game Sunday evening.
“Such an honor,” Thome said. “And then to share it with all your ex-teammates, all the guys that you loved and respected so much, to have the guys on our side and then to look over at those guys as well, I think it's great.”
Earlier in the day Thome’s daughter Lila Grace sang the national anthem prior to the Celebrity Softball Game.
“She’s got beautiful voice,” Thome, who joked he's not a singer and can't take credit for her talent, said. “I don’t know how she does it. To be up there and have all those people [watching] and to be able to do that is [special].”
His son Landon got a hit and pinch ran in the Celebrity Softball Game that Thome played in on team ‘Cleveland’ against ‘The World.’
“He was so excited,” Thome said. “The at-bat in the softball game, he worked a couple pitches then got the hit up the middle, it was great. It was so much fun. To share that with him because, let’s face it, when I retired, he wasn’t at this age.
“To be around the game, to come to Cleveland and be an ambassador and have the opportunity to manage today, that’s what it’s about. He’ll always think of this as a special day. That’s what it’s about.”
The Thome’s also brought one of Landon’s friends to Cleveland, who also got to pinch run in the softball game.
“We wanted to bring him. He’s a great kid,” Thome said. “For kids, think about it, to be on the field and to have that opportunity to be around these great young players, when these guys become big leaguers, they’re going to be able to relate to them.”
Then there were the former teammates, opponents and coaches he got to see again on the field.
Thome hugged Ken Griffey Jr. and spent time chatting with Sean Casey and others early in the afternoon.
Dave Burba served as Thome’s bullpen coach, Charlie Manuel was his hitting coach and Casey was his third base coach Sunday evening.
Former Indians pitcher Dennis Martinez managed the National League Futures team and he had his share of former Indians on his staff too. Carlos Baerga was the hitting coach, Alvaro Espinoza was the first base coach, Charlie Nagy served as the pitching coach and Omar Vizquel the third base coach.
“It felt a little bit like the 90’s,” Thome said. “Even at the softball game – Baerga giving the motivational speeches, Kenny’s walk-up song, I mean, you won’t forget it. The whole day was awesome.”
Kenny Lofton also played in the softball game along with Travis Hafner, who hit a ball into the right field seats.
Thome is an official All-Star ambassador along with former Indians catcher and current first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. and shortstop Francisco Lindor for the festivities in Cleveland where he spent the first 12 years of his major league career, met his wife and officially retired from the game.
“You talk about the city of Cleveland and what this truly means, we can show off Cleveland as a city and how special it is over the next few days,” Thome said.
For Thome, Sunday was a family reunion and baseball nirvana.
“When you have days like this, you look back in 10 years or five or 20 years from now, you go ‘Man, remember that All-Star Game in Cleveland when this happened?’” Thome said. “That’s what’s great.”